Mou Saha, CK contributing writer

Fiber paste is fantastic! Have you ever used fiber paste on a scrapbook page? I’m Mou Saha, and today I’m going to take you step by step through how I used fiber paste to make the background for a scrapbooking layout.

What is Fiber Paste?

So, what is fiber paste? According to one manufacturer, Golden Mediums, fiber paste is a flexible film with a handmade paper appearance that can be used to add texture or as ground for board or canvas. (Watch a short video about fiber paste from Golden Mediums.)

In my personal experience, fiber paste:

• is a textured paste that looks like handmade paper,
• has the consistency of cake frosting,
• can be applied with a palette knife or with your fingers,
• dries fast,
• and takes colors well.

Using Fiber Paste on a Scrapbook Layout

Fiber paste works very well with stencils. Apply small quantities at a time with a palette knife over a stencil on thick cardstock.

I applied my fiber paste on 8 1/2”x11” cardstock to create a layout background.

Since the fiber paste is very dimensional, it can be hard to attach a photo on top. To solve this, I place my photo on the cardstock, mark the space and cut it out with ruler and cutting knife. I will back the cardstock with scrap paper and attach my photo eventually. Not only does the smoother surface of the scrap paper make it easier for me to attach my photo, but I’ll also have a textured block left over to use in another project.

Rub some pigment sticks (I used Guava and Metallic Melon Gelatos) on the top right corner of the layout, blend with a wet brush and let the wet paint drip down freely by holding the layout upright.

Now, attach the photo from the back of the layout so that it shows through the opening. I machine stitched a frame around the photo in contrasting color of thread.

I finished off the page by attaching stickers for the title; a tag for the journaling; and some scrap paper strips, chipboard pieces, and ribbon to embellish the layout.

Pretty Girl by Mou Saha.

For More Mixed Media Inspiration

For more examples of scrapbook layouts using fiber paste, take a look at Mixed Media Scrapbooking, a 2012 special issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine (hint: check page 97 for one example). Every page is packed full of ideas about mixing mediums on your scrapbook layouts, and if you liked this article, I know you’ll enjoy that issue.

Thanks for joining me today. I hope you’ll give fiber paste a try in your own scrapbooking!

—Mou Saha, contributing writer