Vintage 3D Decoupage Papers
24 Perforated Papers (Crafter's Paper Library)

by The Crafthouse Press

Here are some wonderful old Victorian engravings to make some beautiful and unusual cards using the popular paper tole (aka 3D decoupage) method. The first half of the book features hand-tinted engravings of flowers, complete with poems. There are waterlillies, rose campion, blue bells and holly for Christmas. I particularly loved the way the designers had left on the age spots and marks that would be found in an old book; now you can make cards that look as if they are already cherished antiques.

The latter half of the book contains more unusual engravings from novels or magazines, ideal for a number of occasions in addition to the inevitable birthday. “We're Enganged” speaks for itself, but there are also pictures of people in a railway carriage (bon voyage), a doctor visiting a child's bedside (get well soon), a contented couple (anniversary) and others for less obvious situations – make of them what you will. There are two of each of these, one colored and the other black and white for your own work. I wished they had also done this with the floral pictures, which would have been much more fun to paint.

All the picures have a lovely, shiny texture that will gleam in the reflected light of birthday cake candles or whatever illumination you choose. They are all acid and lignin free, so you don't have to limit their use to cards; I will be using some of mine to display in an album with vintage photographs. Near to the spine you will find perforations for neat removal – a very handy book indeed.