Scrap Tech Tuesday - Distressing Photo Edges

Hi everyone; I noticed the thread in the forum recently about distressing, and I realised that there are probably a few scrappers out there who don't really know much about distressing, so I thought I would talk about distressing photo edges today.

I really like to distress my photo edges; I love the more casual, 'distressed' feel it gives my layout, as opposed to the more formal photo mat. It also helps your photos to stand out from the background.

In the past, I have always used sandpaper on my photos, and just simply sanded the edges, which leaves a rough, scratched appearance - just raid your hubby's tool shed, and look for fine grade sandpaper. I always keep going until the very edge is completely white, and there are scratches a little way into the photo edge. These pics show sanding using scrapbooking sandpaper, and a close-up of a sanded photo.

I usually either print my photos on my home printer, or get them printed at Harvey Norman's, and I have had no problems, but I do believe some photos change colour slightly when you sand them and I guess this must be dependent on the photo processing procedure, so you may like to try this first on a photo you won't be scrapping, just to be sure you are happy with the look.

When I was at the Retreat last weekend, I also learnt a very cool trick - I am pretty sure it was from the amazing Rachel (RTScraps) - but I can't quite remember! Anyway, whoever it was, showed me a way to 'file' the edges of a photo, to create quite a uniform sanded edge - not quite as rough as sanding. You simply put the photo on one of those clear stamp blocks, against the edge, and using an emery board, file the edges until you get the look you want.

Oh, and this is the layout with my sanded-edge photos on. But if you look closely, you will see most of my layouts use this technique!

I have used patterned paper from the lovely Fancy Pants Delight range, available here from the shop, along with some Making Memories Tiny Alpha stickers, here, and some Kindyglitz.

Ok, so now you know how to distress the edges of your photos; I hope some of you have learnt something new. I hope I have explained it well; if you have any questions, please just ask. Happy scrapping!

Tracy le Roy

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