Try This Fun Fall Flocking Technique!

Fall is definitely here in Michigan, which is more than okay with my family! We love fall – the colorful leaves, the chill in the air, and the anticipation of that first snow! Recently my children decided to go outside and play in the leaves – they’ve been eagerly waiting for enough leaves to fall from our Maple tree to make a big enough pile to jump in! Of course I was out there snapping tons of photos, and of course I immediately wanted to scrapbook some of them.

When scrapbooking fall themed photos I reach for fall colors, leaf accents, and my favorite product to use on fall pages – flock! This fluffy substance adds a sense of warmth – thoughts of thick scarves and warm sweaters come to mind. For this page I decided to add a flocked and inked design to my background using a mask.

You Rake Them by Cindy Tobey. Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Patterned paper, leaves, and pen: American Crafts; Stickers: American Crafts and SEI; Die-cut and ticket: Jenni Bowlin Studio; Button: Crate Paper; Brads: BasicGrey and Queen & Co.; Rhinestones: KaiserCraft; Mask: The Crafter’s Workshop; Flock: Doodlebug Design; Spray ink: Studio Calico; Adhesive: American Crafts and Krylon; Other: hemp cord.

This technique will add both softness and texture to your fall layouts! Here is how you can achieve this look.

First gather your supplies.

Cardstock

Mask

Spray adhesive (if your mask is not sticky on one side already)

Liquid glue (I used decoupage glue)

Foam brush

Flocking – two or more colors (note: these will end up mixed together)

Spray ink – two or more colors

1.   If your mask does not have a sticky side, lightly spray one side with adhesive and let dry. Note: Adding tack to one side will keep your mask in place and keep the glue from bleeding underneath the mask. Make sure you let the glue dry before adding to your paper; otherwise you will have a hard time pulling the mask up from your paper.

2.       Lay mask on page and gently press down.

3.       Pounce glue over mask working very quickly, so as not to let the glue dry. Note: It is best to pounce the glue on rather than brush it on. Brushing it on could cause some glue to seep under the mask.

4.       Remove mask from page.

5.       Quickly sprinkle on flock. Note: I used a combination of yellow and orange – when these colors mix the leftover flock still looks orange and will be usable for future projects. Some colors will look muddy mixed together, so you might want to experiment first.

6.       Shake off excess flock and return to original container.

7.       Clean liquid glue from mask. Carefully lay over flocked design. Cover any exposed area of your page with scrap paper.

8.       Spray with ink. I chose two colors, a red and brown that compliments the orange and yellow flock.

9.       Remove mask to reveal final design.

I just love the texture that the ink adds to the soft flock! I hope you’re able to give this technique a try and that you are enjoying fall!

Cindy Tobey, Contributing Writer