Hello hello! Grace here.
Happy Sunday! I hope this finds you healthy and happy… and hopefully spending your Sunday how you like to!
As you may have heard (from Mum in the SHAC SHAC) I am moving next week! I’m neck-deep in boxes, trash bags, and belongings… SO it’s time to take a little break from my manic packing to share a wonderful demonstration with you.
My good friend (and super talent) Glynis Whitehead has joined us in today’s virtual bubble 
She has been really honing in on perforating and snipping in her recent tutorials! This is blog #4 of hers on just that! I’ll link them here so that you can find them all easily…
Snipping & Perforating #1
Snipping & Perforating #2
Snipping & Perforating #3
As you can see, she knows what she’s doing!! So I’ll hand you over to the pro!
Ingredients
Pergamano Exclusive Pointed Scissors (PER-TO-70040-XX)
Ringlock (PER-TO-70041-XX)
Perga Cutter Curved (PER-TO-70042-XX)
Tina’s 3D Flowers and Butterflies Plate (GRO-FL-40553-15)
Pergamano Fine Two-needle perforating tool (PER-TO-70037-XX)
Starter Kit Embossing Tool number 1 (GRO-AC-40026-XX)
Perga Glue (PER-AC-70133-XX)
Parchment Scraps – Keep a scrap box and never throw any away again.
Tips
Cutting: Here’s a little bit of information about the scissors and cutters available… I have been asked about scissors several times at snip clinics/in class/in messages, especially the people who have scissors that look like the Perga Cutter or curved scissors that they bought for decoupage. When asked if these would be suitable for picot cutting, the answer is a definite ‘no’.
The blades are not fine enough and decoupage scissors are sharpened down; the blade and into the cross-over of the blades. Scissors for parchment are very, very sharp at the point, where it is needed for a nice neat picot.
It is a considered purchase, but without a proper parchment scissor, you will be very disappointed with the results.
The direction in which you point the scissors when cutting is vital. You need to point the scissors at the bit you are going to keep and hold the rest of the scissors over the bits you are going to discard. I have included pictures; with the points of my snips where they should be, when cutting out shapes in various directions.
*Note the one in plain parchment below – this is how not to do it. In the picture, the lovely picots are on the bit that will go into the bin and the flower itself has a very untidy edge.
Method
Step 1. Tape your scrap of parchment face down onto the Groovi Plate. If it is coloured parchment, the darkest/shiniest side will be uppermost if you want crisp white lines. If you want a brighter flower with more muted lines – put the brighter side downwards. Emboss your chosen flowers using the number 1 tool from the starter kit.
Step 2. Go around each shape with a fine two-needle perforating tool (I use fine because it is easier to perforate small areas). Move your work around and keep your hand still, in a comfortable position. When you have completed all of the perforating, it’s time to snip them out.
Step 3. Only put the very tips of the scissors/cutters into the holes. Squeeze slowly and carefully until you see a little ‘v’ forming. Once you see that ‘v’ – then snip. It depends upon how you hold the scissors as to whether you need to twist the scissors as you snip, but this you will find out by practicing on some scrap beforehand.
Step 4. Once you have cut out your shapes, use Perga Glue to stick layers together and add gems for a bit of glitz. I squeeze a drop of glue into a little tea-light holder and then apply it to my parchment with a cocktail stick. This way, it prevents you from adding too much and spoiling your parchment.
Step 5. There are also some lovely Fresh Cut dies available that work in tandem with some Groovi Plates. They were made especially to go with the dies. This does cut down on the work, and it is something I use regularly, but sometimes it is just good to sit and do something like this by hand – very calming.
I keep a tub full of flowers and butterflies made using scraps. It is so lovely, when you need an embellishment, just to rummage through the tub and find the perfect finishing touch already made! Here are my finished ones.
If you are looking for really quick and colourful flowers, then we have a large selection of coloured and designer parchment.
Wow! Thank you Glynis, as always, for your tricks and tips. I LOVE those embellishments. That sparkly one on the right is calling my name!!
As usual, we have put everything in one place over on the Clarity website HERE
Don’t forget, we have a special event over on the Clarity website – spend over £30 (after all discounts) and add the code ALLYPALLY21 to receive an extra 20% off your orders until midnight Monday.
For now though, travel gently
Lotsa love, Grace & Glynis xo
Clarity – The Home of Art, Craft and Well-Being.