A quick and simple way to trim cardstock or to add interesting and decorative edges to your accents and backgrounds is to tear your paper. You can achieve many different looks just by changing your method of tearing. These work for both patterned paper and cardstock.
What You Need: • Cardstock or patterned paper • Straight ruler
• Decorative or fancy edge ruler
Step 1
For a long, wide tear, simply hold the cardstock with your fingertips at the top with both hands. Pull the cardstock in opposite directions.
Step 2
For a slightly more controlled tear, place your cardstock down onto a flat surface. Using your thumb and index finger, make slower, smaller tears.
Step 3
For a straight, neater tear you can use a straight ruler. Place your cardstock down on a flat surface. Position your ruler where you would like the tear and hold the ruler with your thumb and index finger. Slowly tear the cardstock against the ruler.
Step 4
For a more decorative tear, you follow the same steps that we used for the straight edge ruler, except that you use a fancy-edge ruler. There are many different types of shaped rulers on the market you can use.
