Faux-Stitching and GrungeBoard To create this page, I loved the striped paper (Graphic45), but I thought it was a bit

much to use it all. So I opted to split it in lighter touches, alternating it with other papers from my stash. Here is what I did: 1. I cut a piece of white cardstock to 11 x 11 that I used as a canvas for my patchwork. 2. Using my paper trimmer, I cut several rectangles in the various chosen patterned papers, in different sizes. (I used Fabri-Tac glue it is solvent-based and wont warp the paper since the sewing would only be drawn on, I thought the patchwork should be solid). 3. I glued my rectangles side by side until my whole canvas was covered. 4. Using the Easy Stitches template by Hot Off the Press (HOTP-7328), I sewed all the patterned rectangles together, using a straight stitch that I reminded me of a scar (appropriate with Halloween just around the corner!). 5. I centered and adhered my patchwork to a black 12 x 12 background. The second product I really enjoyed using on this page was Grungeboard, in Tim Holtzs Idea-Ology series. It is a particularly versatile type of material sort of reminiscent of chipboard but much more flexible (it feels a little like leather). This flexibility allows it to be used for all kinds of purposes, including hinges, which would crack if made of chipboard. Furthermore, it is pliable enough to run through the Big Shot machine (or Cuttlebug, or any other die-cutting machine) to diecut or emboss. Grungeboard is also less porous than traditional chipboard, making it ideal for all sorts of treatments, such as inking, painting, sanding, you name it. To make my pumpkins, I drew and cut them by hand (I could have used the Big Shot, but I didnt have the appropriate dies). Since Grungeboard is somewhat thick, youll need a good pair of scissors to cut through it. I love my Tim Holtz scissors from Tonic Studios

for any cutting job. Not only are they very strong and sharp, the handle is very comfortable and adequate for both right- or left-handed crafters. Then, I chose to emboss the pumpkins using a few different embossing folders designs. The reason I didnt only use one was that, since all the pumpkins would be orange, I wanted them to be easily distinguishable on the page. Once embossed, the pumpkins were painted using orange acrylic paint. For that, I like the Ranger Paint Dabbers, because the bottles come with a foam applicator perfect to add just the right amount of paint to your project without even getting your fingers dirty! Another good choice would be the Deco Art So Soft Fabric Paints. Those are designed to stay flexible on fabric once dry, so using them on paper, cardstock, or grungeboard is a natural extension. Once my pumpkins were dry, I applied Rangers Black Soot Distress Ink to bring out the embossed designs and to ink the edges. I also added some Magenta chipboard flourishes to my page, but for how I colored them, youll have to come back in a few weeks I hope youll like working with these products and stay tuned for a more extensive Gungeboard article in November.