Well - if you've stumbled across this in the hope of innovation, you'll already be thinking 'what a mistake'! For those who haven't heat embossed before, let me have the privilege to introduce you to the magic. Heat embossing is used in this example to add another dimension - to try and give the impression that the birdcage is slightly raised from the page This is done by stamping your image in a clear or coloured ink and then covering with embossing powder - shake off the excess and use a heat tool to melt the powder onto the image.
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Be the change
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To start with I took some Clarity paper and with a piece of bubblewrap dipped into a clear Versamark inkpad, dabbed all over the paper. Because Versamark acts as a resist, when I brayered pale blue ink(Adirondack Stonewashed), followed by dark blue ink (Adirondack Denim) up the edges, the spots put on in versamark didn't take the colour so much.
I then used a Sheena Douglass' swirl (from her 'little bit sketchy' range), top and bottom in denim blue ink. Back to the versamark (clear) and did some more stamping with the same swirl, but this time I added clear embossing powder and heated it, I followed this with the birdcage in the same way. Before both of these had cooled down though, I took some frosted diamond mica powder and brushed that over the top to get the sheen. To finish off I used the heat embossing technique on another Clarity stamp from their design club range (be the change...) and as butterflies are so synonymous with change (and because I thought a splash of vibrant colour would help), I added a Papermania butterfly too.
In this example I didn't want colour coming through which is why I used a clear versamark, I would also use this if I was using a metallic finish embossing powder - although you could use any colour you wanted as metallic powder covers completely. However, if I want something to tone in with the rest of my project, I would use either a dye based or pigment based coloured ink and stamp my image in that, following up with a clear embossing powder.
The magic? Well that is watching what really looks to be a quite dull powder turn into something quite special when you heat it up. Black turns glossy; gold, silver and copper get an expensive shine and everything just looks somehow, more finished.
The other thing that heat embossing is very useful for is when you want to colour your image in, but don't want your colours to get muddy from the outline ink. Also because the colouring medium doesn't stick to the embossing, your lines remain crisp on the image.
Finally a tip for detailed images particularly, pre dust your paper with either talc or an anti static bag, that way you greatly reduce the number of stray particles being heated (you'll never get them off).
Hope you're not yawning too much - you'll certainly not be yawning if you try this!
Les X
Mica powders are another medium that I really enjoy working with. I find that they are very versatile and can be used wet or dry; in fact you can 'paint' with them in their dry state. They have their own binding medium in them, so you can cover them with a thin clear acetate to protect your work when it's finished and given a little time it will stick to the powder. I used mica on the venetian masks in the previous blog, but I thought I would post another example.
This one uses a similar technique to the masks cards, again it's based on a Barbara Grey with a few of my own additions. Using double sided sticky acetate, peel back one side of the wax paper and place your stamp down (the house); replace the wax paper. On this one, I turned the piece over and worked on the reverse - you can work on the same side, but I wanted to stamp the birds and foliage on the foreground. Using a very sharp craft knife (but not pressing too hard - you don't want to cut through the sticky layer), score your hills, trees and path in place. You can use a punch for the moon - I used whatever to came to hand that was the size I wanted! You then need to cut around ALL of the bits of the cottage - window frames, door handle, chimney - the lot. It IS fiddly.
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| Quirky Cottage |
Pick out your first piece of wax paper on the house, I find it easier to start on the smallest pieces first, remember that once a piece of the sticky is coated with mica, nothing else will stick to it. I used an old paint brush to apply the mica, you need the tiniest bit at a time - tap it on brush it off. After the house was done, I moved on to the path and the grass. To get the shades you can mix the mica powders, a touch of white into the green gave me the lighter shade.
You can then move on to the sun (or moon) before doing the rest of the sky. When it comes to the sky, dab a few small bits of white onto the sticky and sweep it across before you go in with the blue. Finally the trees; remove the wax paper from the trunks and dust with your preferred colour. then you can remove the foliage cover. You can use mica, but for this I selected some gilding flakes - normally I would put a pinch of them on and scrub off, but this time I was selective and picked a few good sized leaves to get the effect I wanted. Give the piece a gentle buff to give it a lovely sheen.
To finish off I layered it onto another double sided sticky sheet, (but you have to watch for air bubbles) and was then able to stick it directly onto my backing card. White or a pale colour is best, black can make it look gloomy. I then removed the front piece of wax paper from the work and stamped the birds and foreground foliage before covering with acetate - again being careful to avoid air bubbles.
If you do all of the work from the front, you will still have a sticky back and although covered with powder on the front, you will not need any more adhesive for a thin acetate to cover your work and protect it and there is less chance of air bubbles being trapped.
This is great for making fridge magnets, stick the whole lot straight onto white card and then glue it to the magnetic sheet.
Ah well. I was doing so well - I thought! I had created what I thought was a quite professional looking post and I haven't a clue where it went. Hrrrmmmpphhhhh. Serves me right for not saving it.
One area that interests me is stamping. I find that I particularly like the stamps created by Barbara and her team at +Clarity Stamps. Barbara's demonstrations on +Create and Craft are very good and she regularly shows us all something new. I have several of her stamps and I am a member of the club. I really look forward to the new stamps that are sent out each month as part of the membership.
Before you all fall asleep (sorry, did I wake you?), here are some photos of cards I've made with Clarity Stamps.
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Christmas 2012
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This was made using Clarity's Partridge in a pear tree set, Berry Corner and Christmas Greeting stamps. I inked the stamps using versamark, dusted over Perfect Pearls mica powder, then buffed. This is such a quick card to do -
I was in a flat panic about my Christmas cards and managed to do 60 of these in about 3-4 hours (including tea breaks). Lesson learned - pick a straightforward design and easy technique when doing LOTS of cards.
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Venetian Mask
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If you like gilding flakes, you'll love this. A bit fiddly, but fab effect.
Take a piece of double sided sticky acetate, peel the protective layer off and using an archival ink (alcohol based), stamp the mask in place and recover with the protective wax paper backing. Turn the piece over.
Using a sharp blade and using the image under the wax paper just cut around the lines (DO NOT remove any of the sections yet).
The golden rule here is that once anything has stuck to the image, you won't be able to get it off.
I started with the eyes; peel off the very small pieces of wax paper covering the eyes; using the mica powder of your choice take a tiny amount and brush it on - blow away the residue BEFORE you remove the next piece of wax paper. I did the mouth next and then the skin. You don't have to worry about your colours running once they are down and once covered with powder nothing else will stick to that spot.
For the headdress, you could do it in several colours, I chose one; but I put a fine sprinkling of glitter down before I added the mica, (you may also want to do the bells in one colour and the headdress another).
Then I took away the rest of the wax paper, again sprinkled a small amount of glitter, then went to town with the gilding flakes.
The colour of your mount will have an effect on the end product. With this I found black worked well. You can now peel away the front piece of wax paper and cover with clear acetate. Because you haven't 'coloured over your stamp the outline will remain clear.
I also used a gold leaf pen to outline the black card - the dragging method a la Barbara Grey - it's brilliantly simple. Dig the heel of the broad nib against the edge of the card and just drag the pen down. It works with promarkers too and the line is exceptionally straight. It didn't seem this complex when I did it - honestly!
Sleep tight folks.
Lesley X
Hi there,
I'm Lesley and I only started crafting about 3 and a half years ago when I joined a coffee and craft club at +Heighley Gate garden centre near Morpeth in Northumberland. Our inspirational leader is Brenda Charlton who has taught us all so much. We meet twice a month and there are regularly about 20 people who go. I like the fact that everyone is prepared to exchange ideas and if anyone is stuck, there's always someone to help.
There is a huge range of expertise and so much talent, yet as a beginner I didn't feel out in the cold or overawed; I am still amazed at what people create when given a challenge! On the odd occasion when Brenda hasn't been able to come, +Margie has taken the reins and while the styles may differ, the ability to bring out the best doesn't.
I find that I like to experiment with different effects and materials and as a consequence often get quite clarty (hence the title - for those of you aren't familiar it means mucky or messy), but by doing this I often surprise myself with my achievements and it's fun! Not so sure the cats like being covered in glitter though.
I also attend a local art group, again surrounded by talent and living in hope that one day I will have the nerve to put something in a frame, on the wall and be pleased to own up to it :-).
I've amazed myself today, by getting up the nerve to start a blog. I think I'll go and lie down now.
Cheerio folks
Talk to you soon.
