What is Pergamano?

Following my recent Post, Rita, of SoulComfort blog, had to Google the answer, so I've done the same. The answer is:
Pergamano is a trade name for Parchment Craft supplies.  However the term Pergamano ('Perga', Spanish for parchment and 'Mano', Spanish for hands) is now used world wide to describe this fascinating craft.
The heavy parchment paper is a translucent grey colour, but when you pressure-emboss it (pressing on it with a small round-ended tool) on a soft surface, it becomes a satiny, opaque white.  In addition to pressure embossing, there are various painting and perforating techniques that can be applied to make a very elegant looking piece of art work.  Using perforating tools such as the flower tool, the four hole piercer and the diamond tool and grid make the parchment lace-like.  With these techniques, you can make cards, bookmarks, boxes, lamp shades and even three-dimensional flowers.

In process

So, now that my white pen has arrived, before the craft group meets tonight, I've finally finished mine, remembering to use tissue to keep my sweaty paws from marking the front.

Traced, Embossed and partly Perforated

When I tore the pin-pricked edge I realised that I had forgotten to go through both front and back together. Pity. However, not too bad for a first effort.

The Finished Card

All I have to do now is to make an insert for the words, which also strengthens the card to stand. I think I'll send it to Jean!

Instead of all-white colouring and embossing, the back of the flowers can be painted. Jean had lots of samples she had made and they are beautiful.

Have a try yourself. Mind you, one wee tip I know is that vellum in a folder run through the Cuttlebug or Big Shot or whatever, gives a very Pergamano-like effect! Shhh...

Pin-Pricking and Pergamano

The craft group met for a special event with our "Crafting Mama", Jean, who showed us how to do two projects. In a beautifully sun-warmed conservatory we enjoyed the lunch items we had brought then moved on to the business of the day.

Firstly pin-pricking from a pattern with decoupage in the centre.

Pin-pricking Decoupage

Secondly Pergamano. Well, my white gel pen wouldn't work. Then I didn't get on at all with pen nib and white ink, it was like being back in primary school with a scratchy nib (showing my age there!). So I left finishing tracing the pattern till I ordered a new white gel pen. The pen has arrived and I hope to finish tracing, embossing and pin-pricking/tearing to show Jean that I really did finish my card. Craftywhippet finished hers with only a teensy slip of the tearing...

Craftywhippet at work on the first project