Chalk has many uses when scrapbooking or making other paper
crafts and cards. You can use chalk to color in printed images, fonts, and
stamps. This gives your image a soft look, and you can shade darker and
lighter to add dimension. It can also be used to add dimension
to your paper piecing patterns by adding color around the edges, creases in
clothes, body parts etc. It also helps define each piece, especially
if they are the same color.
I usually use a shade darker than my current paper. If
it is a light blue shirt, I will use a dark blue chalk. Sometimes I will
use black, especially if it is a dark color. Brown works well to give
paper an old antique look to your creation. I use a light pink for cheeks on
lighter flesh paper, and dark pink for darker flesh paper.
Another idea you can use chalk for is to make a silhouette
of a shape. Put a circle on the page and chalk around the edges. When
you remove the circle or what ever shape you would like to use it leaves a
silhouette. I have even used my embossing stencils with chalk.
When chalking scrapbooks it is important to make sure it is
acid-free. You can buy acid-free chalk at most scrapbook stores. I
recommend using these over artist chalk because they may have oils in them
that could damage your photos.
When applying chalk, you can use a Q-tip or eye shadow applicator. Do
not use your fingers because of the natural oils found on them.
You can buy spray to seal the chalk in place. This will
prevent the chalk from spearing or getting on the sheet protector.
When erasing, use a white plastic artist eraser for best results. A
regular pencil eraser might smear or leave a black mark because of the oils
in them.
