HELP torn paper/edge effect

[luv2craft]

I like the torn paper edge look but do not know how to achieve it. I did see something on TV once about taking a Q-tip and wetting it and running the wet Q-tip along the paper where you want to get the "torn" effect.

Is this correct or is there a different way to do it? I like when you see the white also of the torn section -- is there a special way to do this as well? Seems to me Rosie O'Donnell did a segment or something on The View and said you had to rip it towards you or aware from you to get that look - but I can't remember which.

Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks much,
Dawn

[luv2craft]

I like the torn paper edge look but do not know how to achieve it. I did see something on TV once about taking a Q-tip and wetting it and running the wet Q-tip along the paper where you want to get the "torn" effect.

Is this correct or is there a different way to do it? I like when you see the white also of the torn section -- is there a special way to do this as well? Seems to me Rosie O'Donnell did a segment or something on The View and said you had to rip it towards you or aware from you to get that look - but I can't remember which.

Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks much,
Dawn

[Penster (pjwlee)]

Dawn,
Yes if you rip the pape in an upward directions you get one look, and if you rip it downwards you get another. Just try it with some scrap paper.

[luv2craft]

Penny:

Do you use the Q-tip method to slightly dampen the paper so it rips in the width that you want?

[sbartist]

I don't wet the paper, I just rip it.

Using a Q-tip to wet the paper is used a lot when tearing mulberry paper and making the tear bears, etc.

[Taffy]

Ditto what Bons said - i just rip my paper. Although, i got a ruler like thing that helps control my torn paper. It's pretty cool

[Taffy]

I found this site by accident when i was trying to find the paper tearer ruler type thing and came across this..

http://scrapbooking.pbwiki.com/Paper%20Tearing

[Taffy]

here's the guide thing i was talking about..

http://www.chatterboxgifts.co.uk/erol.html#3721X19943

[Beth W]

If you rip toward you and use the paper in your left hand ( figuring you are tearing with you right hand) you can chalk or ink the edges for a nice effect. Hope that helps.

[jujuann]

I used torn paper in a title. It was also something I saw someone do on Sandy's show. They cut chunky letters out of three strips of torn paper, layered. They used a template like Taffy has for sale.