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Sakura - Japanese Parchment Craft by Tatsue Shibata

Sakura is Tatsue Shibata's third book, she has also written 'The Language of Flowers' and 'Love and Roses'. There is also a brilliant YouTube video of her work.  My overall impression of this book is that it is definitely a book for parchment crafters who know the basic techiniques as there is no instruction.  It is not too difficult, however, if you have a bit of experience to use the excellent detailed photographs and pattern together with a list of tools required to make the various projects.
There are patterns for cards, 3D patterns for candle holder, basket, lampshades, box and much more, all themed on the beautiful Japanese Sakura flower.

I particularly like the the teapot 'welcome' card and below the cup and saucer card.

 This book of patterns enables you to show off all the techniques of parchment craft the designs are all distinctive and beautiful. The cost of the book is quite an increase from the usual parchment craft book prices but the Japanese books are always a bit more expensive.

I am definitely going to buy myself a copy of this book!

Tina Cox's New Didi Cards and Beginners Guide to Parchment Craft

Tina Cox has designed eight lovely smaller cards for beginners to start parchment crafting. These cards are brilliant to use for any occasion and as usual you can mix and match the elements of Tina's card designs to make your own unique cards.  Included in this package is the 'Beginners Technique Guide' and complete instructions plus a full size colour illustration for each card.  These designs can also be used for toppers, but altogether a great package to get everyone inspired to start parchment craft.

25 Years Pergamano - Anniversary Book

The new Pergamano Book '25 Years' is an anniversary book which has 25 projects by 25 Pergamano teachers and enthusiasts. This is an outstanding book with projects for cards, wall decorations, fan, dreamcatcher, boxes and calyx for a tea light.  There are plenty of Anniversary cards, I particularly like this one designed by Linda Williams.

There is a huge variety of projects and designs from 25 authors, definitely something for everyone.

There are 79 pages with full instructions for each design and patterns at the back of the book.

A lovely book with a lot of variation of designs and different projects for you to make.

Parchment Craft Free Pattern - Bookmark

Here is my new free pattern design for a bookmark. There are instructions for both the coloured and whitework version of the bookmark. Download the bookmark free pattern and feel free to change and bring new dimensions to the design. I would love to see what you have created so send me a picture and I will put it in the gallery.

Abanico by Julie Roces

Abanico (fan) is a collection of 27 fan designs for you to make in parchment. Every pattern is a work of art.

Abanico has some exceptional designs which are most suited to parchment crafters of some experience. The patterns do not require any special tools, if you have a basic tool kit and a semi circle tool you will not need any more than that. Some of the patterns are coloured with dorso or watercolour pencils. 

The patterns in the back of the book are all full size, most of the patterns would require A4 parchment but there are a couple that may require A3 size parchment. This book is 90 pages long.

Pergamano Christmas Special Pattern Book

Pergamano produced this Christmas Special in 2010, it is still available and has some lovely patterns from many designers such as Linda Williams, Kannikar Sukseree, Pat Hosking, Miki Green and Martha Ospina. In all 20 patterns designed for Christmas. There are patterns for Christmas cards, a centrepiece for the table, ornaments for the tree and a Christmas Mandala.

Here is my go at the Christmas Bauble, I have not done it exactly as the pattern, some changes were planned others were not!

If you are following a pattern and make a mistake - just carry on and see what happens.

Parchment Craft, A Classic Collection Volume 2 Grid Work by Kannikar Sukseree

Best of the Best, Parchment Craft A Classic Collection Volume 2 Grid Work is a source book, a library of 264 designs and patterns for grid work and lace.

There aren't many parchment craft books available which concentrate on borders and grid work. Kannikar Sukseree and nine other illustrators and designers have brought together a huge selection of grid work designs that you can mix and match to make a unique border of your own.

The patterns are clearly marked with the grid required.  To work with this book you will need : Straight and Diagonal Grids in both Bold and Fine gauge.

There are 124 pages of designs and patterns, the patterns are directly opposite the illustration so you don't need to hunt around or keep flicking back between the pages. Just looking through the pages is an inspiration to create some new project of your own.

This is a fabulous book that you can keep and refer to for all you future projects and an essential purchase for every parchment crafter.

A Quick Note about Grids

Diagonal Grids are of two types: first where the holes are at 45 degree orientation, that is if you turn the grid diagonally - you have a straight grid. Second, where the holes are 60 degrees orientation.

The 45 degree orientation diagonal grid (PCA Diagonal, or Pergamano Multi Grid 04 and 28)
The 60 degree orientation diagonal grids (PCA Honeycomb, or Pergamano Multi Grid 19 and 24).

Lace Dreams by Miki Green - A Review

Lace Dreams is an outstanding book of Parchment Craft designs. This is Miki Green's fourth book after, Parchment Dreams, Fantasy and Magic Lace.

In this book you will find beautiful patterns for cards, wall decorations,  a photo frame, bauble decoration and a gift bag amongst 21 original projects.

 This book is packed full of intricate, lovely lace designs and I love the use of colour. A great present for a parchment craft, 48 pages.

Competition - Win some Parchment Craft Goodies!

Have a go at our wordsearch competition and win some parchment craft supplies!

Choose which prize you would like and let us know what product you would like us to stock in the shop.  All correct wordsearch entries will be entered into a draw on 1st November, there will be three winners! More information and the competition entry details

Free Parchment Craft Christmas Pattern

Here is my new free parchment craft pattern called Christmas Tree, there are fully illustrated 'step by step' instructions available as well as the pattern download . Please feel free to adapt and innovate from this design if you want to. When you have finished send me a picture of the card- or a link to get to it, and I will put it in the Gallery

Christmas Treasures by Linda Williams - a Review

Christmas Treasures by Linda Williams is a fabulous book,  it is a treat just to look through the pages. There are 25 patterns for Christmas cards, the designs are a varied mix of traditional and modern themes for Christmas. There is something for everyone, some of the designs are whitework, some are coloured, the poinsettia card below has both a white and coloured version. The themes used are Winter scenes, Gifts, Christmas Tree, Angels, Reindeer and loads more. There are lots of additional elements on the cards like gift tags, bows, beads and ribbon making the cards individual and the patterns very flexible.  This book will keep you busy for hours making cards that will be treasured.

The book is 71 pages long and has several pages at the back for you to write your notes and ideas.

Parchment Craft - Cutting a Picot Edge

This is a tricky skill to get right, but once you have practised - a lot!! You will find yourself getting quicker and neater.

You will need Perga cutters or Parchment Scissors, parchment paper and a twin needle tool (this one is Bold).  All instructions are for the right handed.

Instructions:
Perforate with the twin needle tool, neat evenly spaced holes. Place the very tips of the points of the cutters/ scissors into the first two holes.

Lower the cutters / scissors so that they are almost parallel to the parchment and keeping the cutters pointing straight (at a right angle to the perforations) twist slightly to the left (anti-clockwise) and snip.

Always move the parchment around to make the snipping easier. You should end up with neat little V shaped teeth along the edge. Hope this is helpful - just keep practising.

Parchment Craft Free Pattern - Butterfly Trellis

Here is my new free parchment craft pattern called Butterfly Trellis. Please feel free to adapt and innovate from this design if you want to. Don't forget to send me a picture of the card or a link to get to it, and I will put it in the Gallery.

Embossing an Oval Shape on to Parchment

Embossing an oval or circle shape on to parchment is really difficult to get right. First of all you have to trace it from the pattern in white pencil, then turn the parchment over and emboss the line. The long curved line needs a steady hand and it is always best to turn the parchment frequently and steady the side of your hand on a surface while you arc the embossing tool or pencil. Find a position that is comfortable for your hand and try to do the arc quickly and smoothly.  On the new free pattern above I tried the tracing method and got a fair result. I also tried one of the PCA embossing templates for oval shapes and the result was much better and easier (this is the result above). The embossing templates are plastic and once they are fixed in position with tiny balls of blu-tac under the parchment, you can use the ball tool to follow the template and create a perfect oval or circle etc. they come in many different shapes and sizes. If you have a tip to help drawing shapes on parchment please comment below.

Free pattern now available here.

Lights and Magnifiers for Parchment Craft

If you are having difficulty seeing the holes in the grid when you are perforating or you think your work could be neater try using a craft light and a good magnifying glass. The best sort of light is one that replicates natural daylight.

You can buy light and magnifier separately or together in one unit. They can be clipped on to a table, mat or floor standing.

You can also buy magnifiers that clip on to your glasses, or on to your head with a headband.

In my opinion both light and magnifier are absolutely essential equipment for parchment crafters.

Parchment Craft Book - Fantasy by Miki Green

This is a spiral bound book which is very useful as it lies flat on the table for tracing patterns etc.

Miki has designed 24 projects including cards, bookmarks, fans, wall decorations and lampshades, 62 pages in total.

There are six beautiful lampshade designs made using  A4 parchment paper. These lampshades are  small but they are the right size for a wine glass, beautiful as a table decoration. A battery powered tea light can be used in the wine glass, safer than a candle! Of course the patterns can be increased in size using a photocopier.

Miki uses a lot of layers of coloured parchment and vellum to create lovely effects. She also uses 3D elements and embellishments in her designs. Included in the patterns is a complete decorative alphabet so you can personalise the wall decoration with yours or family initials.

An absolutely essential book for parchment enthusiasts.

A Guide to Pergamano Grids

Pergamano grids are mostly A5 size although there are  exceptions. Some of the Multi Grids are themed for special events such as Christmas or Baby, Gift Tags, Butterflies, Borders etc. there are 33 Multi Grids at the moment but new ones are introduced frequently. They can be used for perforating and embossing and are useful for creating borders and central motifs easily.

Pergamano recommend that the Stainless Steel ball tools are used on the Multi Grids so that tools will not be damaged when used on the grid. Stainless steel ball tools come in an 'action pack' or individually, there are two, fine stylus 10032 and extra small ball 10072.

Pergamano have some plain, non-themed Multi Grids which are : 

No 04 which is an A5 straight grid  Fine

No 19 which is an A5 diagonal Bold

No 24 which is an A5 diagonal Fine

No 28 which is an A4 size straight  Bold

(It is possible to get hold of A4 size diagonal Pergamano grids second hand)

There are also the Mesh Grids, these are the original grids which are used with the Triangle and Diamond tools which come in both Perforating and Embossing versions. The Arrow tool has also been designed to use with the Mesh Grids. The Mesh Grids also have a special perforating mat that fits exactly within the frame.

A Guide to PCA FlexiDuo Grids

PCA grids are all A4 size and made of a flexible steel. I really like them because once you start perforating the parchment is fixed to the grid and won't move.

They come in BOLD and FINE size or gauge  and they each have their own set of tools  Red banded tools are Bold and Blue banded tools are Fine.

The Fine gauge is small, takes longer to use, more tricky to cut out, but makes delicate, fabulous lace. Bold is bigger, chunkier, easier to cut and it just depends what you are doing because sometimes you want a bigger, bolder look to lace.

OK, so then there are straight grids and diagonal grids, with PCA diagonal grids the holes are at 90 degrees. Essentially they are the same as the straight grids but turned diagonally. If you look at a diagonal grid and tilt your head to the left you will see that it looks the same as the straight grid!

You can buy all of these grids separately but also in double packs, the double packs come with a free mat.  The Bold double pack includes a straight and diagonal grid and the  Fine double pack also includes a straight and diagonal grid.

Recently, PCA brought out a new grid called the Honeycomb.  The Honeycomb is a lovely grid, the holes are at 60 degrees and this make it easy to produce patterns such as hexagons and octogons etc. The double pack of Honeycomb grids includes a Bold and a Fine grid. The Honeycomb grids also have a range of specially designed tools to go with them.

PCA also have a Circle and Oval grid in Bold and Fine Gauges.  All the grids can be used for perforating and they are brilliant for embossing dots if you turn the parchment over.

Free Parchment Craft Pattern 'Star and Kites'

 

Here is free pattern number six: Star and Kites. If you download any of my patterns please feel free to change any parts you wish or make improvements, if you are pleased with the results send them to me and I will put them the gallery on the parchment craft shop website. Contact me.