I find that using self adhesive backing paper is the biggest tip of all.  Here are a few things that it can be used for to great effect::

As a backing layer on your card, just measure the size you want, cut it to size either with deckle edge scissors, a fancy edge trimmer or just ordinary scissors.  Peel off the backing and place it on your card.  No mess, no fuss.  It can always be edged with border peel offs to finish it off.  Another way of using it as a backing layer is to combine it with either vellum or acetate.  You can either use one piece of self adhesive backing and one piece of vellum or acetate, or you can use one piece of backing paper in the centre of two pieces of vellum or acetate (or both if you are feeling adventurous).

To get a really neat finish, this is what I do:  If covering the front of your card with a piece of each, measure both pieces, making sure that the piece of acetate or vellum is large enough for a small strip of it to go underneath the self adhesive.  Take the piece of vellum (acetate) and line it up with the edge of your card, clip it into place with either a bulldog clip or a plastic clip or even a clothes peg.  This will keep it in place.  Take the measured piece of self adhesive backing paper, remove the backing and place it onto the card making sure that it just covers the edge of the vellum.  When you have stuck the self adhesive in place you will have a lovely neat card (no glue or sticky on your vellum) and a very professional look.  Put a border peel off down the join if you want to finish it off.  If you want to put a piece of backing paper in the centre of your card and have vellum or acetate on either side of it then cut two pieces of vellum to size (remembering that a small piece will be going underneath the adhesive).  Put the two pieces on either side of the card where you want them to be and again using a bulldog clip or plastic clip hold them in place on the card.  Take the pre measured piece of self adhesive backing and stick it down the middle of the two vellum sections, remembering to just cover the edges to hold them in place, once again a nice neat finish with no glue and no lumps.

Self adhesive is particularly effective to use with a die cutting machine.  I have a 'Big Shot' and use it in conjunction with my self adhesive paper to give me a bigger variety of techniques.  You can stick the paper onto any card, doesn’t matter what the colour or quality.  Put the whole lot through your die cutting machine and that way you can have matching shapes, tags, frames etc to finish off your cards and of course, it will co-ordinate perfectly with your sets.  No more looking for a piece of card in a matching colour to go with your design.  Just make your own.  This adhesive backing paper can also be coloured, embellished and if you want to use an embossing pen or stamp you can even highlight your toppers with embossing powder.  Sometimes you may just want to add some silver or gold embossing but feel that glitter is not what you want.

Experiment - you will find new techniques yourself.

Enamelled Embellishments

My favourite trick at the moment is to make my own enamelled embellishments with the mini tiles in the sets or even with sections of the backing paper.  This is a stunning result and I promise you it will take your cards to a new level - it will also give you renewed enthusiasm as the results are instant.

You will need for this trick (sounds like Paul Daniels!!!) some self adhesive tiles or backing paper, a clear embossing pad, a heat gun, a heat resistant sheet, some  clear UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) - it can be done with normal clear embossing enamel but the UTEE works better, some mount board (assorted colours if you can get it) and a container to put the enamel powder in while you are working.  Most of you will have a heat gun and the embossing pad.  If you need a heat resistant sheet then you can buy one at most supermarkets it is just called a baking sheet.  Its far less expensive than getting it from a craft supplier, its the same thing but with another name.

Choose a tile or mini topper that you would like to enamel, remove the adhesive backing and stick it onto a piece of mount board.  Cut out the tile but leave a small border round the tile.  The mount board can be cut with ordinary scissors.  Using your embossing pad cover the tile and border with the ink, place the tile face side down into the UTEE until the ink is covered with powder, remove the tile and put it face side up on your heat resistant sheet.  Heat with your heat gun until the powder has melted, immediately this happens pick up the tile and place it face down again into the UTEE, once again take it out and place it on your heat resistant surface and heat it again.  Ideally you should do this three times - sometimes twice is enough but when the surface of the tile looks like smooth glass it is ready.  You can always reheat it and dip it again if you are not satisfied.  After doing this two or three times you will get the hang of it and I am sure you will be hooked.  These little tiles look stunning as embellishments and you can also use them as jewellery or to make pictures from them.

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