Flocking – Not Just for the Birds!

Who doesn't love a little bit of texture on their layouts and paper projects? I certainly do - and flocking is one of my latest favorite methods for adding a little bit of texture. Flocking powder is a fiber medium used to create a fuzzy appearance on your stamped or die-cut images. Many companies make flocking powder. For this article I used the Fun Flock from Stampendous, which comes in twelve colors.

The most common use of flocking powder is in stamped projects. To flock an image, use one of the following methods:

Glue Pad Method

1. Press your image into a glue pad and then stamp the image onto paper.
2. Pour fibers over the image and tap off the excess.
3. Put the paper aside to dry. To speed the drying process you may use a heating tool on the underside of your paper. If you apply heat on the top, the air from the heat gun may blow the flocking powder off the image.

Sticky Powder Method

1. Press your image into an embossing, pigment or VersaMark pad and then stamp the image onto paper.
2. Pour sticky powder, such as Heat & Stick from Stampin Up!, over the image and tap off the excess.
3. Heat the image until the powder turns to glue.
4. Spoon flocking powder over your image and press lightly with your fingers.
5. Allow to completely dry and then tap off or lightly brush excess powder.

Once you have mastered the basic flocking technique, there is no limit to your flocking possibilities. Flocking powder may be used to enhance stamped images, such as fur on a stamped dog. Simply stamp your image and use a glue pen to fill in the areas you wish to have fuzzy. Spoon flocking powder over that area and then tap off the excess. Flocking looks wonderful with double-sided stickers or images cut from red tacky tape or sheets. Use a glue pen and flocking powder to enhance areas of your patterned paper.

If you like to keep things simple, try these flocking supplies ready made for scrapbookers!

• We R Memory Keepers adhesive rub-on kits, which come with everything you need to glitter, foil and flock images.
• Heidi Grace is just one of many manufacturers making paper that is flocked.
• Die Cuts With a View - Christmas Collection - Flocked Stickers - Winter Wonderland
• Making Memories - Stickers Flocked - Labels and Ephemera - Funky Vintage - Ruby
• Making Memories, Die Cuts With a View and K&Company all have wonderful collections of flocked stickers.
• SEI has easy-to-use iron-on transfers that are already flocked.

Whether you want to make a fuzzy caterpillar, or want to add softness and warmth to your winter layout, flocking is a fun and easy accent. Be sure to share whatever you make in the gallery!

Supplies:

• Paper: Autumn Leaves
• Rub-ons: Hambly Studios, Royal Brush (quote)
• Chipboard: Heidi Swapp
• Stamps: Autumn Leaves, Great Impressions
• Tag: Avery
• Flock: Stampendous