Will Work for Sand Paper

Misty Posey

January1, 2006

Example One

Corners, funky shapes, and odd sizes; do they all get to you when you are trying to cover a mini book?

Altering mini books can get tricky at times; especially when it is no “normal” kit mini book where all the pieces are pre-cut for you.  If you are altering, say, a child’s board book, edges and sizes may be difficult and wear your patience thin. 

I don’t measure because it is a weakness of mine.  So, before I would lay down what I was covering and cut it a little big.  Afterwards, I would cut and cut till I finally go it right; later to have it still wrong, not like I like or wanted it, and to have wasted paper because I start all over.

Since I use a lot of sand paper anyway, I came up with an easy way for me to cover my projects without all the cutting, mistakes, and scraps.  Sanding the edges . . .

On example one, I cut a sheet of paper, just a tad larger than the surface I was covering, for me, a child’s board book. To adhere this paper down, I used book binding glue. The board book had a slightly slick surface, so I wasn’t sure if my regular roll adhesive would work. Book binding glue is fast drying if you don’t over adhesive. In this case you don’t want to because if you do, when you start sanding, the paper may slide out of place. 

**hint, use a sponge brush to add liquid adhesive. You get a smooth coverage and the paper will not roll and distort as bad.

Example Two

When you think it is safe, start sanding around the edges of the surface, see example two. The edges will wear thin and you will see the paper start to separate. Keep sanding till all the extra edging is gone, see example three. Depending on how ruff you want the edges to look depends on the grain of the sand paper and how hard you put pressure on the sanding. You can get a nice smooth edge if you like. If may take a little more sanding and elbow grease, but you will soon love the out come.

Example Three

This technique is terrific on wood items as well, like plaques. It also looks awesome on the wood letters.  Play around with this technique on different surfaces and items.  Don’t forget to try different grades of sand paper too.  Sand, sand, and sand some more!