in color and will contrast with the translucency of the parchment paper. Color can be varied by moderating the level to which the shape is embossed. Fine lines and hatching can be obtained by embossing with the stylus tool. Stippling The single needle tool is used for stippling. Stippling is a technique used for generating a matte white surface to areas or for fine detail work such as the centers of flowers. To create a matte white surface the parchment is first lightly embossed and then small holes are perforated on the parchment in very close proximity. The perforation is done using a cardboard pad rather than a felt pad so that the needle will not pierce through the parchment, but rather create an embossed dot. Perforating Perforating is used to create decorative and special lace patterns in parchment craft. Minimal tracing is required when perforating; designs are usually created by taping the parchment over a pattern and perforating directly over it. Various needle tools are used in the perforating technique. Perforating is also used to create edging and borders or to denote guidelines for cutting. Cutting Cutting is used in combination with perforating. Cutting is used with the 2 needle tool to remove shapes from the design; it is used with the 4 needle tool to create crosses and strips within a lace pattern. Coloring Coloring is a technique that gained popularity in parchment craft in the 20th century; before this, parchment craft was originally only white work. There are many methods for coloring parchment craft work. One of the most popular is "dorsing". creates a soft background color for embossed shapes or the areas around them. Color is applied in the dorsing process using oil pastels or crayons which are rubbed on and then blended using paper toweling and odorless mineral spirits or an oil based medium such as linseed or lavender oil. For coloring that is applied to the parchment in entirety, the coloring is done before any tracing or embossing. If color is to be added to small areas, dorsing would be applied in a similar manner to specific areas before the embossing process. Dorsing can also be done using other coloring media such as felt-tip pens/markers, watercolor pencils, acrylic paints or inks. References Murray, Fiona, "Parchment Vraft" in Australian Paper Crafts, No 23 2003, Pride Publishing, Rozelle NSW, pp 10–13 Crafts Paper