How to Use Chipboard Embellishments

Chipboard is found in everything from cereal boxes to the back of your notepad--even the back piece of those particle board bookcases that everyone has owned at one point in time is made of chipboard. Not too long ago, crafters started using chipboard in their layouts as backs for shaker boxes, pop-ups and tags. Then the designers got involved, bringing us to an explosion of chipboard embellishments available in craft and hobby stores in different shapes, weights and colors. Learning to make the most of these now-staple items will bring your scrapbook pages and crafts to a new level. Here are ways to do it.

Things You'll Need

• Chipboard sheets
• Die cut machine
• Pre-cut chipboard embellishments
• Patterned paper
• Card stock
• Adhesive
• Craft knife
• Self-healing mat
• Paint
• Brushes
• Sandpaper
• Pigment-based ink
• Embossing powder
• Heat gun
• Rubber or acrylic stamps

Instructions

1. 

   Die cut your own shapes out of plain or decorated chipboard. Some companies have put out sheets of relatively thin chipboard covered with patterned or textured stock. These will work either with personal die cutting machines or a craft knife to make any frames, tags or other decorative shapes.

2. 

   Cover precut chipboard pieces with patterned paper or card stock to help them coordinate with your layouts. Cut a piece of paper slightly larger than the chipboard, adhere it with your adhesive of choice and trim around the edges from the back, following the edges closely. Covered chipboard can be used for monograms, titles or mats for photos or other embellishments.

3. 

   Use paint to dress up plain chipboard. Once dry, the painted edges can be distressed with ink pads or sandpaper for an aged, textured look. The chipboard can even be used as a stamp: just dip it into acrylic paint and apply to your surfaces.

4. 

   Layer different pieces of paper on the chipboard to create visual interest. Use several different solid or patterned sheets "collage style" on cutouts to create unique embellishments. Die cut letters or shapes from patterned paper applied to paint or layering the chipboard items directly also adds depth to your layouts.

5. 

   "Engrave" your chipboard by coating it with pigment ink, sprinkling embossing powder onto the wet ink and heating with a heat gun until complete. Immediately press a rubber or acrylic stamp into the still-warm embossing powder for an engraved look in the embossed area. For extra depth, ink the stamp first with a contrasting color.

Tips & Warnings

• Insert spacers in the binding of your albums to allow for the thickness of chipboard embellishments.

• Create a collage on a larger piece of chipboard and then attach a pinback to make a funky, unique piece of wearable art.

• Don't throw away the spare pieces and parts; use them to create mosaic effects instead.

• Use caution when working with sharp blades.

Resources

• Sizzix Personal Die Cut Machines
• Die Cuts With a View for Chipboard sheets and shapes