There’s something about pleats that I find really elegant. Not that I like ironing them though! When I was very much younger, long ‘sun-ray’ pleated skirts were all the rage. I had a lovely one, although I can’t remember now what colour it was. The narrow pleats made the skirt swing beautifully when I walked. But, eventually it needed to be washed and that’s when the trouble started. Each individual pleat had to be ironed in place and I was rubbish at that. Pleating paper however is definitely much easier.

PLEATED PAPER

This project came about when I decided to find a unique use for the Brushstoke 12″ x 12″ Specialty Paper. This paper has a beautiful pearlescent sheen and a subtle brushstroke texture. It’s also quite thin so lends itrself to techniques that are difficult with the heavier weight of Stampin’ Up!’s Designer Series Paper. I’ll say right from the start this did involve a little bit of trial and error using scrap paper. Only once I’d worked out the measurements for cutting and scoring did I pick up the Blushing Bride sheet from the Brushtroke pack.

I began by cutting a 5-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ piece of paper. Next, because this paper is quite delicate, I placed it onto my Simply Scored scoring board and chose the larger end of the scoring stylus. Then with the short side at the top I scored the paper at 1/2″, 3/4″, 1-1/4″, 1-1/2″, 2″, 2-1/4″, 3″, 3-1/4″, 3-3/4″, 4″, 4-1/2″ and 4-3/4″.

From there all I had to do was fold the paper along the scored lines to create a three pleats on each side.

With the hard work done I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) to attach the paper to a 2″ x 5-1/2″ strip of Thick Basic White Card. Then I punched a small hole at the top between the two sets of pleats using the Label Me Fancy Punch.

BEST EVER

For my sentiment I chose “You’re the best ever” from the Very Best Occasions Stamp Set. Using VersaMark ink I stamped the sentiment onto a scrap of Thick Basic White Card. Then I sprinked the sticky ink with gold powder from the Metallics Embossing Powders pack. After tapping off the excess and removing a few stray specks, I melted the remaining powder using my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

To cut out the sentiment I decided to contrast the straight lines of the pleats by using the Layering Circles Dies. For the sentiment itself I used the #2 plain-edged die from the set (counting from the smallest up). Then for the mat I used the #3 plain-edged die to cut some Gold Foil Sheet. After mounting the sentiment onto the foil circle with liquid glue, I glued the assembled piece in the centre of the bookmark.

Finally I cut two 6″ pieces of gold cord from the Simply Elegant Trim and threaded them through the hole punched at the top of the bookmark. Then I tied the cord in a simple knot and my experiemental project was complete.

OK so this was another slightly fiddly project, but I love how it turned out. For some reason it seems very bridal and I can see a similar strip used as a layer on a wedding card. What do you think?

For some more projects using the Brushstroke Specialty Paper see these earlier blog posts:

• Moment for gratitude
• Deer leg discovery
• Brushstroke paper is lightweight
• Chic with golden accents
• Take one elephant

PRODUCT LIST

RETIRING PREDICTION – I think that the Brushtroke Specialty Paper used today will be on the retiring list in a few weeks. So if you want it please place your order without delay.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE– I’ve just heard that the Heron Dies on page 164 of the 2022/23 Annual Catalogue (not used today) have sold out. They are now considered discontinued, alongside the Lucky Clover Punch, Adhesive-backed Milky Dots and Seasonal Labels dies announced previously.