Many people frown at the word ‘smudging’ until they find out how much fun they can have if smudging is done on purpose. So in this mini scrapbook tutorial we will focus on everything that has to do with smudging to add lasting effects to your layouts.

Smudging with a sponge

This is a very basic yet popular technique used in scrapbooking. All you need to do is simply take out a piece of paper. Add a few dots of different water colors all over the paper and wipe it off in a pattern using a soaked sponge. However, you should be careful not to add too much water to the sponge or too much paint to the paper. Once you come up with a satisfactory design to be used as a scrapbook layout, leave out the paper to dry under the sun or a fan. When the paper is dried off, iron it from the back and you will have a scrapbook-ready smudged paper!

If you want to add a smoky effect to your smudged paper, all you need to do is smudge twice. I.e. make the first smudge with colors of your choice. Once a desirable design is created, add in drops of white paint all over the paper and smudge it using a soaked sponge once again. It is fun to keep smudging this way but it is also important to avoid over doing it because you may end up tearing the paper otherwise. Once the desired cloud or misty look is created, you can simply let it dry and iron it at the end.

Smudging with stamps

Smudging with stamps is something we have done in kindergarten and now it is the time to bring back memories with sharpened skills. If you can get hold of lotus roots, you will have a superb stamp. If not, you could also use half cut potatoes, ladies fingers or carrots to come up with the effect you want. The best effect can be derived if a couple of stamps are used together in a pattern so that the end product will look like watermarked designs.

Scrapbooking

Digital scrapbooking with smudge effect

With the advancement of technology, many service offerings have come forward to facilitate online digital scrapbooking opportunities. Although the effects that can be created in digital scrapbooking are not as diversified as hand made scrapbooking, smudging plays a main role in deriving the effects.

When to use smudging

You can use smudging wherever and whenever you want. You could either use smudging for the cover page of greetings cards, as background designs for scrapbook layouts or else, as an embellishment.

Smudging can also be used to create a theme within your scrapbook album. For example, you could come up with a fruity loop section to add photographs taken during summer, or else you could come up with snow flaked smudges to give your scrapbook a wintery look and so on.

So experiment around and let your mind wander to your childhood. With no time and little effort you will see yourself creating awe inspiring scrapbook layouts!

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