Tia's Tips-My favorite card technique to "WOW" my non-crafty friends is with embossing! "Muggles" always wonder how I can achieve that professional, shiny, raised image and/or lettering. Little do they know how fast and easy embossing really is! Add to it-"resist embossing" and you really will appear to be a wizard!
The Project:
The Butterfly Sentiment set is the perfect set for the "resist technique". It's an easy technique that really packs a punch! I also love using Distress or Oxide inks for their easy blending and reaction to a little water sprinkled on.
Resist-Supplies Needed:
Clear embossing ink (recommend: VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad)
Anti Static Powder/Bag
Embossing Powder (clear-detailed is the best starter-lots of use!)
Heat Gun ( a MUST for embossing, don't use your hairdryer-not hot enough!) and once you start embossing you'll be glad you made the investment!!!
Several blending ink pads (I'm not good at blending and think the Ranger/Tim Holtz brand of Distress Ink/Oxides are user friendly)
Ink blending tool/brush (finger dauber might be too small for large area)
Kleenex or a paper towel
To start, wipe the cardstock with anti-static powder to remove your hand's oils from the card and to avoid embossing powder anywhere other than your stamped image. It will also help to ensure clean crisp embossing lines.
I then used the 'Thank You' butterfly stamped in embossing ink and randomly stamped it around my cardstock. I re-inked each time I stamped. The best part about watermark ink-it stays wet for quite awhile!
I sprinkled the card with my clear-detailed embossing powder and lightly tapped the excess off. (Any excess on your card that you don't want can be wiped away with a thin paintbrush or needle.) Use heat gun to set embossing powder.
Next, I selected 3 inks, think light, medium and dark.
Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide (light)
Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide (medium)
Iced Spruce Distress Oxide (dark)
Try to choose 3-4 spaces spread out on your card front for each color. Apply the same idea of (light to dark), then use your lightest color to blend a second time into the darker shades for a clean transition. Don't panic that you are covering up the embossing and a heavy hand with ink blending is fine!
Now, take the Kleenex or paper towel and gently wipe the ink off of the embossed images. Don't they shine!!! I sprinkled a little water onto the oxide and dried it with my heat gun. I also used some white acrylic paint, added a little water to thin it out and with my paintbrush tapped it to flick white paint around the card.
To further embellish my card, I die cut out the card with a Gina Marie Die. I wrapped the die-cut card with white trimmed satin ribbon. I also popped up a die cut of the butterfly sentiment with foam and then attached rhinestones to the body.
The card was then attached to a 4.25 x 5.5 in. yellow cardstock base. Easy-peasy!
This is one of my favorite classic card techniques! Many will know it, but haven't done it in awhile. For those of you new to crafting-give it a try! And smile when all the ohhhs and ahhhs come rolling in over that gorgeous embossing! And we won't tell them just how easy it was!
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Until next time-Get crafty!
-Tia