This is my second ‘mix it up’ post. A couple of weeks ago I looked at watercolor and today it’s the turn of vellum. Vellum is one of my most favourite crafting supplies; not only is it a beautiful semi-translucent medium to work with it is also very versatile. I’m going to list out just a few of the ways vellum can be used and show some pictures of previous projects. Under each photo will be links to the original post if you’d like to know more.

OVERLAYING PATTERNED PAPER

Original posts here and here

Using a vellum panel over patterned paper is a great way to have the paper incorporated in the design as it peeks through the sheer nature of the vellum. However, images stamped and heat embossed on the vellum are still visible in a way they wouldn’t have been if they had been stamped directly on the paper.

WHITE HEAT EMBOSSED FLOWERS

Original posts here and here

For me, one of the best ways to showcase a delicate floral image is to white heat emboss on vellum and trim out. The ethereal nature of vellum lets the detail of the image shine.

COLORING ON THE BACK

Original posts here and here

Once again white heat embossed flowers, but this time colored on the back of the vellum. This is a very easy way to color; when viewed from the front the colours soften along with any less than perfect blending!

SENTIMENT STRIPS

Clockwise from top left: here, here, here and here

Using vellum for a sentiment strip is perhaps my favourite way to use it. You’ve created a beautiful background you’re really pleased about but can’t quite work out where to put the sentiment! Using a vellum strip allows your background to shine, without covering it up and yet the sentiment still stands out.

SHEER ACCENTS

Original posts here and here

When creating a more collaged effect I love tucking in die cut vellum accents. Their sheer nature add to the overall design while not cluttering it up too much; supporting while allowing other elements to take centre stage.

Before I go let’s briefly talk about the vellum I use. For many years I’ve had a big stash of the beautiful, thick 40lb vellum from Bazzill. I know there are other options out there for sturdy vellum, but I’ve never felt the need to stray from what has always worked well for me. Recently I received a sheet of Simple Foundations paper vellum in a Simon Says Stamp Card Kit and this opened up new possibilities. As the name suggests, it is thin and paper like, less translucent than the Bazzill but equally whiter in color. I love them both for their different strengths.

Attaching vellum can be tricky due to adhesives showing through. Easy ways to get around the problem are to wrap it around a panel and adhere on the back or stitch it to the front. If all else fails and you need adhesive, try adding it where it won’t be seen, for example, behind an overlapping element and use the types intended for discretion such as clear foam adhesive.

Well that completes my quick fly through of how I like to use vellum. If you enter a term into the search field of my blog (bottom of the side bar) it will pull all the projects I’ve used with that term. Entering vellum as a search term gives you several pages of projects if you’d like to look at more ways to use this fabulous product.

SUPPLIES

You can find links to the supplies I’ve used below; click on the picture or wording to get taken directly to the product. Where available I use affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support.

Simple Foundations PAPER VELLUM Bazzill 40 LB VELLUM Kool Tak Clear Foam Adhesive SSS JULY 2015 Card Kit Clearly Besotted SEW SPECIAL Clearly Besotted SKETCHED BLOOMS Clearly Besotted SKETCHED BLOOMS Dies Clearly Besotted PRETTY POINSETTIA Clearly Besotted DELIGHTFUL DOILIES Altenew PERSIAN MOTIFS Clearly Besotted MAGNOLIA BLOOMS Clearly Besotted WINTER BLOOMS SSS ARTFUL FLOWERS The Crafter’s Workshop MINI TRI MOSAIC Stencil SSS BABY SSS BABY Die SSS PAINTED HELLO Die SSS STITCHED CIRCLES Dies SSS TINY ALPHABET BACKGROUNDS SSS CALLIOPE FLOURISH Die Clearly Besotted AUTUMN FLOWERS Dies SSS CLUSTERED LEAVES Die SSS SMALL HELLO Die