Working with Chalks

Working with Chalks couldn’t be easier

Using chalks is a great and cheap way to create colour and character to your scrapbooks, cards, and paper projects. Using different shades of chalks you can add highlights and shadings ot paper, diecuts, stamping, cardstock and papers. Its usually best to use chalks that are labeled acid-free as they are usually specifically made for scrapbooking and card designing

If you are working on a budget you should be able to find many of the tools needed for working with chalks in your own home, such as cotton balls, Q-tips, and make up applicators. When using Q-tips make swivel the swab to make sure the cotton is tight and you don’t get any wisps, which could make you put the colour where you don’t want it. The most simplest of tools is a tampon it has a firmness and width for all-over colour, and you can just cut of the bit you have used and start with a with a fresh colour.

Before starting your project it is always best to practice on scraps of paper to get the kind of effect you want to achieve. Always start with the lightest colour and layer your darker colours on top applying shading where appropriate. When chalking diecuts or embellishments take extra care when gluing as the chalk will stick to the glue.

Ways of using chalks could be: stenciling, creating the right colour on photo mats or embellishment. You could even use chalk to tint ribbons or fibres to match your project. Another great idea is a chalk rubbing of an embossed diecut of any object of your choice.

To fix any chalking errors you will need a chalk eraser, you can always add chalk on the spot you have erased but fix errors quickly as chalks set quicker than you realise.

You shouldn’t need to set chalk as the pigments in the chalk will set in the paper within several hours of application so setting shouldn’t be necessary is the layout is put in a protective sleeve.

If you use a light hand to apply your chalk it shouldn’t get everywhere, and you should be able to wipe away any loose chalk with a cotton ball or by turning your project face down and rubbing gently. You could also use an acid free spray fixative to ensure the chalk doesn’t smear.