Distressing
 

Can anyone tell me a "good" way to get the distressed look? I've tried my thumbnail and various tool edges, but nothing seems to be "quick and easy". I love the distressed look, but I spend so long trying to achieve it that I'm sure many of you have better suggestions. . . Thanks! :)

I just use the edge of a pair of scissors. It's pretty easy. I just make sure I do it over the table or a trash can 'cause it sure makes a lot of paper dust!

I got a Heidi Swapp distresser at ACMoore. It's a little pink disk and only 95 cents.

I use scissors if I want a rough edge, but sometimes I get carried away and rip the paper. Mostly I use a bone folder because it gives me a little more control and a more 'turned over' edge. If the edge still needs 'pop', I drag an inkpad along the distressed edge too.

I generally tear. But sometimes I use a sanding pad. :)

Olivia

I use one of those wooden rulers with the metal edging, cheap and works great!

Okay...I confess up front that I am going to sound like a complete idiot, BUT....:oops: I have this and I don't know how to use it!! Are you supposed to run it down the paper, or use the blade to just hack away at the edge of the paper???? :confused:

I use my HS distressing disc both ways. Take some scrap paper & see what you like the best. Have fun.

Depending on what it is.. I like to tear the edge of the paper.. then rough it up with an emery board. I also have that lil pink cirle distresser that I find works better on chipboard and heavier projects...

Thanks, everyone. You gave a lot of ideas to play around with. For awhile I was using the edge of one of the hodgepodge hardware rectangular "frames". It works okay, but I was sure there had to be something better. Any ideas where to get the HS pink disc? I looked online and couldn't find it at any of our local stores. . . Thanks again!

Hi - I use the Cutter Kit from Stampin' Up. It's only $16.95 and is on page 184 of the current Fall-Winter 2007 Collection. The description is as follows: "Use this convenient and portable cutter kit for all your projects on the go! Includes rotary cutter, perforating tool, scoring tool and a 7-sided distressing tool." It's GREAT!

Use the inside prongs of a fork. I just slide the paper through the back edge of a fork. The prongs above it give the paper stability so that it isn't sliding everywhere and it's very easy to get a hold of and you don't have to spend a dime. Another thing I like to do to distress things? I like to fold up sheets of paper, get them a little wet and then throw them in the dryer. Sounds weird, but the effects are cool. I will also place my knuckles into an ink pad and kind of rock them over my paper. I go over the edges as well.

Grab your nail file and use that along edges. Take a pin and scratch the paper and lightly go over the lines with an ink pad. I also like to take strips of tape and adhere them to the paper and then I pull it off after I have inked it up.

WOW! Awesome ideas. Thanks for sharing ALL of them. :mrgreen:

Hi
I agree with all the above, but the king of distress is Tim Holtz, he is doing 12 tags of christmas with womderful distressing techniques everyday, take a look http://timholtz.typepad.com/

Alli

while not on the same level as TH, I like to distress a torn edge with an inky stamp!
I "clean " the stamp by rubbing it accross the edge like dtp with an inkpad but there is way less ink and it doesn't get saturated.

when I use an inkpad, sometimes I get oversoaked,
and I sometimes get inky pinkies from the transfer or smudge an unfortunate spot on my card.

other than that I like:
stamp, wash under the tap, crumple, smooth, dry!

I know this thread is old, but I have to add one thing no one ever mentioned...

Close to my heart company sells an edge distresser for 1.50
Just like the SU one, looks the same, but by itself w/o the cutter/scorer/perforating parts and a different color. I had the cutter kit from su but didn't like the cutter/scorer parts b/c I couldn't get them to work, but sold it on ebay since I never used it....but missed the distresser part, but now I am getting one for cheap!! Yeah! Love a bargain!

I just ordered one today, first time to buy anything non SU for almost 3 years.

I have fallen off the SU wagon and am shopping everywhere!!! Boy is it fun to shop new things after 3 years of only SU

The angel company also has one for 2.25

just an fyi

making memories also have a good one available in Michaels