Scrapbooking Festoons

Festoons were originally suspended garlands that served as decoration. In scrapbooking, to festoon something became to create borders by cutting the background into shapes.

Here, Cath shares the many techniques she uses. Varying your materials allows you to make small or large patterns and to give a "handmade" look to your festoons.

Ready-to-use paper

This method is the quickest because you glue the forms directly to the page. Small and large models of festoons are available from many brands, although color choice is limited by what the brand offers.

Instructions

• Apply to background.

Stencils

These allow you to copy the shape for your festoon.

Supplies

• Scissors
• Stencil

Instructions

• Place stencil on background.
  

• Cut out around the stencil with scissors.

Tip

• Trace around the stencil with a pencil, remove the stencil, and cut out the shape. This small additional step prevents accidental cuttings.

Festoons with pinking shears

Supplies

• Paper pencil
• Ruler (or compass)
• Pinking shears

Instructions

• Use the ruler or compass to draw a line.

• Cut along it with the pinking shears.

Festoons with rulers

This method gives a more or less "handmade" aspect to your festoon

Instructions

• Position the ruler on top of your paper: the side of the ruler that will make the festoon should be along the border side of the paper.


• Tear the background paper, following the ruler.

Templates to cut various shapes

Supplies

• Paper pencil
• Utility knife
• Template

Instructions

• Position the template on the background.


• Trace the outline.


• Cut, following the drawing.

Special festoon blade

These are available for paper cutters and give a clean-cut edge.

Instructions

• Position your paper firmly against the bottom of the paper cutter so that the cut will be at a right angle.


• Move the blade along its track, pushing with regular firmness, and the cut's made!

Source: "Le blog de Cath" ("Cath's Blog")

:laura: