Quilling acquired its name due to the tool first used, a quill. Using simple tools, long strips of paper are tightly wound and released to form complicated and complex shapes.

Quilling was considered a worthy pastime for women of good breeding in the 1700-1800's. The patterns often imitated the original ironwork of the day. Quilling, or the art of paper sculpture, is a great way to make some gifts that will be remembered for a lifetime, and there is no limit to the creative ideas you can have for patterns. Ideas can be geared for any theme; weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and can be used to adorn many different things like envelopes or boxes, scrapbooks, you name it. Quilling can also be used to decorate boxes, cards, frames, mirrors, scrapbook pages, etc. Quilling papers come in many colors and styles in addition to widths.Quilling is often done on cards but also on boxes, hats, as stand alone items and many more varieties. The creative quilling designs are perfect for rubber stamping, picture framing and scrapbooking. A few items that you will need (really pretty much ALL you need) follows:

First, you need a quilling tool of some kind to roll the paper strips on. A paper quilling tool is a metal tool with a tiny slot in one end. Second. a pack of quilling paper, which you can buy in multi color packs and sizes. Also, some white glue and hatpins or "T" pins (office supply products) or toothpicks to apply the glue. A sheet of Con-tact-brand clear adhesive-backed paper is handy and a clipboard or a 9" X 12" piece of heavy cardboard can serve as a flat work surface With just these few items, you can be on your way to quilling an idea you can find online, in books or one you have designed yourself. You can always use your hands for a technique called finger rolling. Some other tools that you will find helpful (but not required) and are probably around your house are: wax paper clear sheet protectors, to protect your work surface when gluing pieces together, cardboard, a book, styrofoam, or corkboard for a firm portable work surface scissors for cutting shapes or paper strips a small plate, bottle cap, or something that you can use to put a little bit of glue on so that your glue bottle does not dry out. A ruler will help you with keeping your lines straight or measuring your shapes to ensure they are the same size.

A damp cloth or sponge (even baby wipes) help you keep your fingers from getting glued together Tweezers are helpful to help you pick up your pieces and place them in a specific location.

A fringer tool lets you create fringed paper strips with a single touch and then turn them into fringed flowers. Tip: Glue that is not too runny and dries quickly is a bonus.

I put my good old Elmer's glue in a contact lens case. I also add a few drops of water to the glue if it becomes thick. Then you can just use the toothpick or pin to spread the glue where you need it. Question: What other things can I embellish with quilling besides scrapbooks and cards. Answer: You can do tons of stuff with your quilling... For example: you can put quilling on mats for pictures; make three dimensional free standing projects like dolls and plants (which can be kept in mini display cases similar to those used for model cars). You can embellish cakes with quilled flowers; create centerpieces for your dining room table or mantle; make special gift tags for Christmas; create placeholders for weddings or dinner parties; personalize the cover of a blank journal book; or you can even use quilling to accent different aspects of a favorite scenic picture, such as the roofs or windows of homes in a cityscape. With just few items, you can be on your way to quilling an idea you can find online, in books or one you have designed yourself. You can always use your hands for a technique called finger rolling.... This is a very

relaxing and enjoyable craft. The results can be spectacular. The cost is practically zero.