Welcome to the Crafting Glossary A to Z! Whether you're new to the world of paper crafting or a seasoned pro, you've probably come across some terms that made you pause and wonder. That's why I've put together this handy glossary to help demystify the language of crafting. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s a great starting point. You'll also find some Country Craft Creations-specific terms sprinkled throughout, highlighted just for you. Let's dive in and explore the words and phrases that make our crafting adventures so special!
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A
Acetate – A clear, see-through material used to create windows on cards, boxes, and shaker cards.
Acid-Free – Products free of acid, preventing the yellowing or fading of items like photos, ensuring longevity.
Accordion Fold – A single sheet of paper or a series of joined sheets that are folded in a back and forth pattern that creates pleats. Typically consists of four or more panels.
Acrylic Paint – A fast-drying, water-soluble paint used in art and crafts. It can be layered easily and dries to a plastic-like finish.
Acrylic Stamps – Clear stamps made from a flexible material that cling to a stamping block, allowing for precise placement when stamping designs.
Adhesive – A substance used to stick items together. Adhesives can be wet or dry such as glue, tape, or spray.
Archival – Materials that are acid-free and lignin-free, designed to last without fading or damage.
Artist Trading Card (ATC) – A small card (2.5" x 3.5") traded between artists.
B
Binding – Attaching sheets of paper and/or chipboard together to create a book.
Blending Tools – Tools (sponge or soft brushes) used to blend ink smoothly across paper.
Bone Folder – A tool for making crisp folds in paper and smoothing out creases.
Bookbinding – The process of assembling a book by attaching pages together and securing them with a cover, using techniques like sewing, gluing, or stitching.
Brad – A small metal fastener with two prongs that split to hold paper together.
Brayer – A roller used to apply ink evenly to paper or cardstock. A brayer can also be used to apply paper to die-cutting machine mats for secure adhesion.
Burnishing – Smoothing and sharpening creased paper after it’s been scored.
C
Cardstock – Thick, sturdy paper used for making cards and crafts.
Chipboard – Thick cardboard often used for adding dimension or stability to projects.
Collage – A creative art technique where you layer different materials like paper, fabric, and photos.
Country Corner Newsletter – A bi-monthly CCC publication providing all the latest news, insights, and behind-the-scenes information. The newsletter includes a free printable and corresponding blog post(s).
Craft Knife – A sharp, replaceable blade tool used for precise cutting.
Creative Prep – A CCC term used for retreats and denotes pre-work that can be done before the class begins. Previously referred to as homework.
Cutting Mat – A durable mat that protects surfaces when using cutting tools.
D
Dauber – A small tool used to apply ink to a stencil or create backgrounds.
Debossing – The opposite of embossing, it creates a sunken design on paper.
Deckle Edge – A rough, natural-looking edge on handmade or torn paper.
Die – A metal shape used to cut paper into specific designs when paired with a die-cutting machine.
Die-Cutting – A technique that uses metal dies or machines to cut shapes out of paper.
Die-Cutting Machines – Electronic or manual machines used for precise cuts on various types of materials like paper or fabric. Brand names include Cricut, Silhouette, and Brother Scan n Cut.
Distressing – A technique used to make paper projects look aged or worn.
Dry Embossing – Creating a raised design on paper by pressing it into a pattern.
E
Embellishment – Decorative items added to a project for extra flair, like stickers or gems.
Embossing – A technique that raises designs on paper for texture and depth.
Embossing Folder – A plastic folder used with a machine to emboss intricate designs onto paper.
Embossing Powder – A powder that, when heated, creates a raised design on paper.
Event Booklet – A CCC publication provided to attendees of a virtual retreat that is less than 3 days in length. An event booklet provides the schedule and cutting guides.
Event Magazine – A CCC publication provided to attendees of a CCC in-person (& virtual) retreat that is 3 to 4 days in length. The magazine provides the schedule, cutting guides, local information and more.
F
Faux Stitching – Drawing lines on paper to mimic the look of stitched seams.
Findings – Small components used in jewelry-making or crafting.
Foam Adhesive – Foam with adhesive on both sides, used to add dimension and lift to projects.
Found Object – An item discovered and used in art, often adding a unique element.
Fussy Cutting – Carefully cutting out specific images or motifs from patterned paper.
G
Glue Dots – Small adhesive dots used for sticking tiny or delicate items onto paper.
Glue Gun – A tool that heats glue for easy and accurate application.
Grain – The direction in which paper fibers align, important for folding and cutting.
Guillotine Cutter – A cutting tool with a sharp blade, perfect for cutting large amounts of paper at one time.
H
Handmade Paper – Paper created by hand using fibers and water, often with a rough texture and unique look.
Heat Embossing – A technique using embossing powders and heat to create raised designs.
Hinges – Flexible joints where the cover of a book meets the spine, allowing it to open.
J
Jute – A natural fiber often used in crafting for texture and decoration.
K
Kraft Card – A light brown, often recycled card stock used in crafts.
L
Lay Flat Cover – A binding method used for mini albums so that the cover lays flat on any surface. This technique was developed by Tamra Merrill, owner of CCC. You can access a free guide under the “Files” tab on Scrapbookers of Country Craft Creations.
Layered Stamping – Using stamps in layers to create detailed, dimensional images.
Layering – Stacking different pieces of paper or cardstock on top of each other to create dimension and depth in a project. Each layer adds contrast or highlights certain elements of the design.
Low Tack Tape – A weak adhesive tape that’s easy to remove without damaging paper. This is great to use with die-cutting and card making.
M
Masking – Covering parts of a project to protect them from ink or paint while working on other areas. Masking can also be used when stamping for image building.
Matting – Layering paper or card to create a border and enhance its appearance.
Miter (or Mitering) – Cutting the edges of paper, cardstock, or other materials at an angle (usually 45 degrees) so they fit together seamlessly at corners.
Mixed Media – Combining various materials (like paper, fabric, paint) in one craft project.
O
Opaque – A material that isn’t see-through, blocking light from passing through.
P
Paper Piecing – Cutting parts of a stamped image from different colored papers and assembling them for a multicolored effect.
Paper Trimmer – A tool used to cut paper in straight lines.
Patterning – Layering decorative paper on top of mats or pages.
Photopolymer Stamps – Clear stamps that cling to acrylic blocks for precise placement.
Punches – Tools used to punch out decorative shapes from paper.
R
Retreat Companion – A CCC publication provided to attendees of an in-person and/or virtual retreat that provides a step-by-step event roadmap, crafty essentials, and FAQs for a successful event experience.
Rubber Stamps – Stamps made from rubber, often mounted on wood or acrylic blocks for stamping images.
S
Scrapbook Layout – The arrangement of photos, journaling, and embellishments on a scrapbook page.
Scrapbooking – A creative way of preserving memories using photos, paper, and decorative elements in personalized albums.
Score – Creasing paper to make clean, crisp folds. Typically done with a scoring tool or bone folder.
Scoreboard – A tool with grooves used to guide scoring lines on paper.
Seasons of Creativity – A triannual subscription box curated and shipped by CCC.
Self-Healing Cutting Mat – A mat that "heals" after cuts, preserving its surface for repeated use.
Shaker Cards – Cards with a windowed area filled with small items like glitter or beads that move when shaken.
Stamping – Using rubber or acrylic stamps to create designs or images on paper.
Stencil – A template used to apply patterns or designs by coloring over the cut-out areas.
Stippling – Tapping ink onto paper to give it a speckled, aged look.
T
Translucent Paper – Paper that allows light to pass through but is not completely clear.
U
Upcycle – Reusing materials in new ways to create something fresh and unique.
V
Vellum – A semi-translucent paper used to add a soft look to projects. Vellum may also refer to paper finish rather than a grade of paper.
W
Washi – Decorative, lightweight paper tape used for embellishing projects.
Z
Z-Fold (Zig-Zag Fold) – A back and forth folding technique that creates alternating sections, often resembling the letter “Z”.
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