Paper tearing can have a very dramatic effect on your scrapbook layouts. Perhaps that is the main reason why many people think that it must be difficult. Quite to the contrary, it’s really as easy as it sounds.

You simply take a piece of paper and tear it. Now, before you rush out and buy some new paper and just start tearing it to bits, take some time to read further and find out a few tips to make the most of it.

First, if you want a rough and/or white edge you’ll want to tear toward you. Whether or not you get a white edge depends on the type of card stock you’re using. If it’s pigmented all the way through you won’t see the white edge, but it will be rough-edged nonetheless.

When using this technique in order to get the desired result be sure to hold the paper with the colored side facing you and then tear toward you.

For an irregular edge without any white showing you’ll want to tear away from your body. Hold the paper so that the colored side is facing you then tear away from you.

This creates a jagged edge with the tear on the back side of the paper, thus hiding the white. This technique is particularly useful if you plan rolling the edges for an even more textured look. Another great use for this type of tear is if you’re looking to add depth to your page or want more intricate detail to the inside of a frame or window box.

If you want more accurate tears on your paper you might want to consider using water. Simply decide where you want your paper to tear and then trace it out with water. Be careful not to over moisten your paper or it will turn too soft and you won’t get the desired tear out of it.

Once you’ve tried paper tearing you’ll discover it can be used for so many different types of embellishments. You can use it for borders, mats for photos or memorabilia, journaling, and more. You can also get more intricate with your tearing and make wonderful little flowers, snow flakes, bubbles and the list can go on and on.