I have burned the edges of cardstock before just using a lighter. Just did a little at a time, blowing it out as I went. You can see what I did in my gallery. It is the layout of Christopher Columbus' "The Nina". How safe it is, I don't know. I had to do it to achieve the look I was going for, chalking and inking wasn't cutting it.
As for a good idea--I'm thinking you're asking is it a good idea in terms of scrapbook safety (not burnt fingers).
I'd think the chemical reaction you're causing wouldn't be harmful. Except I'd make sure anything that's crumbly is removed. Perpas charring (like a nicely toasted marshmallow) would be better as youwouln't be getting so much ash and charcoaling (is charcoaling is a word?).
i was going to say that you can get the same affect, even a more noticable one with ink ripping the edges of the paper. also you can use tea as a sorta die, although im not sure that's sb safe. but tim hotz has a tea die ink and it's pretty cool.
I have burnt the edges of cardstock and it works very well. I achieved the look that I was going for. I don't know how safe it is, but it was fun to watch the paper burn (not a pyro). You might be able to get the same desired look from tearing and inking.
I have tried burning the edges, but what I have done with great success is the following:
First I rip the edges of whatever I want the "burn" effect on. Then I take my chocolate inkpad by Anna Griffin and run the ripped edges in the ink pad. It gives my paper a great "aged" effect! HTH!
