Adding Dimension to Die-cuts - Design Element

Hi everyone.  Before we get to the technique information and samples, the Group of Cardmakers want to thank our followers for supporting us over the past several years.  Our Group is now down to three cardmakers and we have decided it's time to close.  This will be our last post.  We hope we inspired you to try new techniques, or design your own variations to classic techniques.  

For today we are sharing different ways to add dimension to die-cuts.  You can simply cut multiple images from dies and layer them together with glue or dimensional tape to create die-cuts with dimension.  Or, here are some alternative ways to add dimension: 1) ink edges; 2) using a stylus to shape and add depth; 3) layering die-cuts; etc.  They all work to give your die-cuts some dimension and interest, whether you use one or combine all of the different ways.  We hope you'll check out the videos below that all give a unique way to working with Die-cuts.

Different suggested ways to do the technique or try your own way!

Videos:  

Adding Dimension to Die-cut Leaves by Loll Thompson (3:16) - Add dimension to many different types of die-cuts by adding sponging to the edges, or using a stylus and foam pad for shaping.  Sorry for the poor quality, this video is quite a few years old. :)

Coloring Hack by Understand Blue (9:10) - Lydia uses layered patterened paper with sponged edges to add interest and dimension.

Lifelike Die-cuts by Jennifer McQuire (13:25) - Add dimension with colouring and layering die-cuts; use large die-cuts to deboss and add dimension to backgrounds; add glossy accents to add dimension to die-cut sentiments

Wreath Card by Sandi Maciver (12:44) - Creating dimension with layering die-cuts

Supplies:

• Die-cuts
• White, Coloured or Patterned Paper
• Detail sponges or finger daubers

Additional Supplies (if needed):

• Stylus & Dense Foam; and / or
• Background Die & Mat; and / or
• Glossy Accents

Technique Instructions:

• Die-cut regular dies or layering dies from white or coloured cardstock, or patterned paper
• Use detail sponges or finger daubers to add sponging around edges
• Use stylus with dense mat to shape and add dimension to your die-cuts
• Use background die with mat to deboss design and create dimension to your backgrounds
• Add glossy accents to die-cut sentiments or images to add depth and shine to your die-cuts

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.

Adding Dimension to Die-cuts Card Samples

Loll

Pat

Susan - away

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Thanks again for following Group of Cardmakers!

Acrylic Block Stamping

Hi everyone.  This month we are playing with Acrylic Block Stamping.  This technique has been around for a long time, but it is making a comeback with a slight difference (doodling).  If you have any acrylic blocks and ink, you can create beautiful backgrounds for your cards.  We have videos below that show us how this technique can be creative, fun, and relaxing all at the same time. :)  We hope you'll give it a try.

Videos: 

Acrylic Block Stamping by Jo Rice (15:50)

Acrylic Block and ink Background by Jo Rice (11:58)

Acrylic Block Stamped Background by Annabelle Stamps (5:39)

Supplies:

• Acrylic blocks
• Water Soluable Colour mediums (dye inks, distress inks, distress oxide inks, watercolour paints, re-inkers, powdered inks, etc.)
• Water mister
• Water-friendly card (watercolour, mixed media, bristol, etc.)
• Optional:  permanent markers for doodling

Technique Instructions:

• Press colour onto your acrylic block.  You can use one colour or several colours
• Mist with water and quickly turn over and place on card
• Hold in place for a few seconds so the paper starts absorbing the ink and then remove the block.  You can angle the block to play with the distribution of ink for your design
• Optional:  Once your card is dry from acrylic block stamping, use a permanent pen (black used in examples by Jo Rice) to doodle around the border of your block design, or to create a pattern for the inside.  Have fun!
• Complete card as desired.

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.

Acrylic Block Stamping Card Samples

Christine

Loll

Susan

Pat

* * * * *

We'll be back on the 28th of July

with another technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Sharing ...

vicki dutcher

Direct to Paper Inking

Hi everyone.  This month we are playing with Direct to Paper Inking.  This is a great way to create a quick background with bold, saturated ink.

Below is a video with a suggested way to do the technique or try your own way!

Videos:  Serene Forest Cards by Kristina Werner (13:22)

Supplies:

• White Card Stock
• Inks (2-3 Colours)
• Optional, but recommended:  gloves

Technique Instructions:

• As per the video ... using your ink pad, press it against your card stock and drag or pounce to add colour.  Repeat with different colours until you are happy with the look of your background.

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.

Direct to Paper Inking Card Samples

Christine

Susan

Loll

Pat

* * * * *

We'll be back on the 28th of June with another

technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Sharing ...

  

Robyn O.                                   Robyn O.                                 Caroline

Robyn O.

Split Card Designs

Hi everyone.  This month we are playing with Split Card Designs.  There are two ways to do this technique and we have included videos of both below.

Different suggested ways to do the technique or try your own way!

Video:

Split Colouring by Jennifer McGuire (11:29) - Jennifer creates 2 cards with one image.

1.  Split Colouring:

Supplies:

• Outline stamp image
• Card - 2 pieces (if you are colouring your image, it should be water-friendly ... watercolour paper, mixed media, bristol, etc.); the second image can be done on any card
• Stamping Platform (i.e. Misti)
• Ink (for outline stamping and colouring images)
• Embossing Powder and heat tool
• Your choice for colouring:  Paint brushes / markers / sponges / coloured pencils, etc.
• Sentiment stamp(s)

Technique Instructions: (for both videos)

• Place your first card into your stamp platform, add outline image and stamp; sprinkle with embossing powder, tap off excess, melt powder using heat tool.  Repeat with second card.  Depending on how you are going to colour the one image, you may need to use water-friendly card; the one that will be only heat embossed can be done on done on any cardstock.  You now have two card fronts.
• Colour just one of the images using any colour medium
• Place card front in your cutter and cut off a section from your card (can be any width you want, but will look better if they are not cut in half).
• Add the second image and cut at exactly the same measurement.
• Swap pieces so each card has one section coloured and one with just the heat embossed image.
• Attach the pieces to two card bases.
• Finish cards as desired.

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Video:

Split Card Designs by Mindy Eggen Design (11:56) - Mindy shows how to create 2 card with one large image. 

2.  Split Card Designs:

Supplies:

• Large outline stamp image
• Optional:  Matching die-cut
• Card stock
• Ink (for outline stamping and colouring images)
• Optional:  Embossing Powder and heat tool
• Sentiment stamp(s)

Technique Instructions: (for both videos)

• Stamp a large image onto a large piece of mixed media, watercolour, or specialty paper
• Optional:  Use embossing powder and heat tool to emboss image
• Colour image using any colour medium
• Die-cut image (or fussy-cut)
• Cut image into two pieces so that each piece will look good on a card base
• Attach the two cut pieces to two different card bases
• Finish cards as desired

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.

Split Card Design Samples

Loll

Susan

Christine

* * * * *

We'll be back on the 28th of May

with another technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Sharing ...

  
Robyn O.                                                        Nancy J.

Bleaching (with Bleach or Water)

Hi everyone.  This month we are playing with the Bleaching Technique.  There are a few different ways to do this - with bleach - or with water.

• Best to use card that is for wet mediums (ex. watercolour, mixed media, bristol)
• Must use water-soluable inks (best are Distress Inks or Distress Oxides)

Videos:  

Using Bleach:

Coloring with Bleach - Jennifer McGuire (13:07)
Watercolour card with bleach - Andrea Kidman (6:16)

Using Water:

Faux Bleaching Technique Cards - Artsy-Island-Girl (12:55)

Supplies:

• Water-friendly card (watercolour paper, mixed media, bristol, etc.)
• Water soluble inks (Distress Inks, Distress Oxide Inks, Some Dye inks)
• Outline Images (Stamps in Permanent ink or Stamped/Heat Embossed
• Water Brush or Watercolour Paint Brushes
• Paper Towel

Technique Instructions:

• Create an inked background
• Stamp and Heat Emboss outline image on water-friendly card if using bleach
• Use small amount of bleach or water with paint brush and go over areas of your image that you want to lighten.  Repeat as necessary.
• Make sure everything is dry, then finish card as desired.

For creating watercoloured images with bleach:

Start by adding inks to create a background for your stamping.  You can use any inking techniques (ex.  smoosh, sponge, spray, or direct to paper inking techniques).

For silhouette or semi-silhouette images, you add bleach to your image and then stamp onto your inked background or coloured card stock.  No heat embossing or painting required.

For outline images, heat emboss first.  Add bleach in the barrel of a water brush, or use paint brush dipped in bleach, to remove colour from an image.  Usually lightl colours of ink will result in the bleached area reverting close to the original colour of your card and darker colours will usually produce a faint version of the ink colour.   

Tips for using Bleach:

• Make sure to heat emboss you outline image with embossing powder before using bleach.  This will protect the outline image
• Using a water brush is the most effective way to add bleach.  The tips of water brushes are stiffer and you can control where the bleach goes more than a flexible watercolour paint brush. 
• Having the bleach in the barrel of a water brush means there will be less fumes from the bleach.
• If you want to watercolour on top of your bleached areas, let the card sit for a day so that the bleach is completely dry, otherwise it may effect the ink colours you add on top.
• If the bleach goes beyond the outline image, use a damp paintbrush to pick up some of your background colours and fill in the white area.
• We have found that newly coloured images will bleach easier than images that have been coloured for a long time.  

For creating bleached outline images on coloured card:

Create a "stamp pad" with bleach.  Fold a paper towel and add bleach until it is completely wet.  Take your outline stamp and pounce it onto the stamp pad.  Stamp onto coloured card stock and let dry.  The bleach will remove some of the colour from the card stock to produce a lovely image.  The colours will vary depending on the card stock.

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For creating water stamped images:

If you don't like to use bleach, there are a few different ways you can "bleach" your image using water on water soluble inked images.  You can create your own water pad using paper towel soaked with water; then use it as a stamp pad to "ink" your image.  Or you can spritz your image lightly from high above to distribute the water evenly.  Or use a small amount of water with a paint brush to paint over your image, then stamp.  You can let it dry and then repeat the process to see if you can remove more of the colour.  Silhouette stamps work best for this technique.

Another way is to stamp your image, then randomly sponge ink over top.  Use a water brush or paint brush dipped in water to remove the ink from the stamped image (as per Arsty-Island-Girl's video above).

Tips for using Water:

• If you are using a technique which adds lots of water to your image; then stamp and blot with paper towel to absorb any excess water

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.

Bleaching Card Samples

Pat

Loll

 

Susan

Christine

* * * * *

We'll be back on the 28th of April

with another technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Sharing ...

 

Megan                                     Robyn O.