Creative with Chipboard Part I: The Basics

Chipboard is one of my favorite embellishments for a million and one reasons. It’s inexpensive, totally versatile and with every major manufacturer offering such variety of shapes and colors, it’s almost always the perfect embellishment for any layout.

To start, I’m going to cover three basic techniques that you’ll use over and over again to cover your raw chipboard shapes and alphabets. For my examples, I am using the Creative Café 12x12” flower set, with the idea of using them all on a layout when I’m done with each of the different techniques I plan on covering by the end of the week. Let's get started, then!


1. Wallpapering: Covering chipboard with patterned paper allows you to match embellishments and paper flawlessly. And it’s easier than you may think!

Cut a piece of paper just a bit larger than your chipboard shape. Using a liquid adhesive of your choice, apply it right onto the front of your chipboard shape and glue the patterned paper on top. Allow a minute or two for the glue to dry a bit then turn the piece over and trim around it with a craft knife. I can’t stress enough how much easier this will be if you use a glass mat and a knife with a new blade…TRUST me on this! Using a piece of sand paper or an emery board, sand the edges so that they are flush with the chipboard...simple!


2. Painting: It’s always a quick, easy way to dress up your chipboard.

Just plain old acrylic paint, be it from Making Memories or Apple Barrel and a simple foam brush, no fancy technique necessary. I especially love Ranger paint daubers for this purpose, talk about no hassle! In my sample I also added white polka dots with a pencil eraser, and when they were dry, outlined them with a black pen…look at what a difference it makes!

3. Inking: Then there’s ink…a personal favorite and the easiest yet!

We’ll get more into ink and stamping techniques later on in the week, but for now, just the basic covering technique. Either press your chipboard shape directly onto the stamp pad, or vice versa depending on the size of each. In the sample, I used one color over the entire shape, and then a darker shade of the same color around the edges. If you use a wet pigment ink you can add embossing powder now to give it a little extra shine. Then leave it as is, or distress the edges with an emery board or sanding block.

So that’s it! Easy ways to add a little color to your plain chipboard shapes. And don’t forget, this is just the beginning! Check back for some ideas on taking your chipboard altering to the next level with glitter, stamps, and more!