Stenciling with Mica Powders

Hi everyone.  This month we are Stenciling with Mica Powders.  You can use any mica powdered inks for this technique.

There are two types of mica powdered inks:

1. One with a binding agent - adhesive included in the powders (Perfect Pearls, Mica Minerals, etc.)
2. One without a binding agent - adhesive needs to be added (Arteza, Pearl-Ex, etc.)

Listed below are instructions on how to add mica powders for both types.

If you do make cards, please join us by adding to the linky at the bottom of this post.  We'd love to see what you make!!

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

Mica Powders with Binding Agent

Video:   For Mica Powder with binding agent:  Stenciling with Mica Powders by GiogioCraft (1:29)

Supplies: (for Mica Powders with binding agent:  Perfect Pearls, Lavinia Mica Minerals, etc.)

• Mica Powders such Perfect Pearls
• Versamark (or other clear ink)
• Soft brush for Mica Powders (small detail brushes work well for smaller areas so you don't need to mask)
• Card stock (light or dark).  (Dark card looks best with Mica Powders.)
• Stencil
• Swiffer cloth or large brush
• Water mister

Technique Instructions - with binding agent (Perfect Pearls, etc.)

• Place stencil over top of card stock, add tape to secure to work surface
• Press Versamark (or other clear ink) over stencil
• Optional:  Remove stencil and clean; place cleaned stencil back over top of image, lining up carefully.  This will contain the powders and usually means less cleanup afterwards ... OR ... mask areas and brush on one colour of mica powders at and time; remove masks and repeat until all areas of the stencil are covered (this works well if you have a lot of small areas in your stencil design).
• Use soft brush and mica powders (with binding agent) to brush over image (small detail brushes work well from smaller areas so you don't need to mask).  Clean brush between colours by brushing onto paper towel.
• Remove stencil and tap card stock on work surface to remove excess powder
• Lightly brush with a piece of swiffer cloth or large brush, to remove any excess powders that remain
• Lightly spritz with water and let dry before finishing your card

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Mica Powders without Binding Agent

Video:  For Mica Powders without binding agent:  Stenciling with Mica Powders by Michelle Short (15:10)

Michelle uses Essential Glue Pad.  You can also use Versamark and sticky embossing powder (Sticky Powder from Ranger; or Heat & Stick from SU!; or any other brand of sticky embossing powder).

We recommend Sticky Powder (Ranger).

Supplies:  (for Mica Powders without binding agent:  Pearl-Ex; Arteza; DreamWeavers Metallic F\X; LuminArte Mica Powders, etc. )

• Mica Powders such as Pearl-Ex 
• Versamark (or other clear ink) with Sticky Embossing Powder (Ranger) or Heat & Stick powder (SU!) ... OR ... **Essential Glue Pad
• Soft brush for Mica Powders (small detail brushes work well for smaller areas so you don't need to mask)
• Card stock (light or dark).  (Dark card looks best with Mica Powders.)
• Stencil
• Heat Tool
• Swiffer cloth or large brush

**  Essential Glue Pad can be found at these stores:  Ecstasy Crafts (Cda); Simon Says Stamp (US)

Technique Instructions - without binding agent (Pearl-Ex, Arteza, etc.)

• Place stencil over top of card stock, add tape to secure to work surface
• Press Versamark (or other clear ink) over stencil; remove stencil; then sprinkle card panel with Sticky Embossing Powder or Heat & Stick; use heat tool to melt powder
• Wash stencil and dry; then place back over card stock, lining up the image; tape to secure
• Use soft brush and mica powders to brush over image (small detail brushes work well from smaller areas so you don't need to mask). Clean brush between colours by brushing onto paper towel.
• Optional:  mask areas and brush on one colour of mica powders at and time; remove masks and repeat until all areas of the stencil are covered.
• Remove stencil and tap card stock on work surface to remove excess powder
• Heat image for just a few seconds to set the mica powders into the sticky powder - very important - let cool
• Wipe with a piece of swiffer cloth to remove any excess powders that remain.

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

Stenciling with Mica Powders Card Samples

Robyn (Waterlily Cards)

Guest Designer

Loll

     

Susan

  

Pat

Christine

  

* * * * *

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

technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Sharing ...

 

Hilary                                        Hilary

  

Robyn O.                                  Robyn O.

Batik

Hi everyone.  Before we get to this month's technique, we are sad to say goodbye to one of our Group.  Brenda in IN is stepping down.  She is a passionate cardmaker with a phenomenal sense of humour and wit.  She is also one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet.  We will all miss you so much, Brenda!!  

* * * * *

This month we are borrowing another art technique, called Batik.  Batik art is made by creating a resist of wax onto fabric before dyeing the fabric with different colours.  The best way to resemble the look on cards is to begin with Emboss Resist.

Also, Batik art has creases that appear when dyeing the fabric.  On cards, we create that look by adding random creases throughout the piece.  The final step is to sponge more colours randomly over your panel using a few different colours of ink.  This sponging also enhances the creases.

There is a video below showing another way to do this technique by adding sponged colour under your heat embossed images.  It's just a different way that shows the beauty of Batik.  

If you do make cards, please join us by adding to the linky at the bottom of this post.  We'd love to see what you make!!

Suggested way to do the technique or try your own way!

Video:  

Faux Batik by Channin Pelletier (7:12)

Supplies:

• Card stock (white or light coloured card is best)
• Silhouette stamps
• Versamark
• Clear Embossing Powder
• Bone Folder
• Sponges
• Inks (2-3 colours)

Technique:

• Using white card stock if sponging colour on the background before adding your image.  You can use white or light-coloured card stock if your are stamping direct to paper - whatever you want the image to appear on the finished card.
• Stamp your image with Versamark (or similar colourless ink) and emboss with clear embossing powder
• Make a few random folds on your card front both horizontally and vertically across the whole panel.  Use a bone folder to make the creases sharp, but they won't be perfect because the card stock usually adds a slightly jagged edge to the folds, which adds to the authentic look of Batik.  NOTE:  Group members noticed the creases show better if you use mountain folds on the front of the panels.
• Add random ink blending over top of your images, which makes the images pop and also intensifies the look of the creases
• Use paper towel to remove any excess ink that sits on top of the heat embossed images

Alternative:

• Use a stencil instead of stamp to create your image.  Clear heat emboss.  Continue with next steps for this technique.

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

Batik Card Samples

Julia

Loll

Susan

Bonnie

 

Pat

* * * * *

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

technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Vaseline Resist with Alcohol Inks

Hi Everyone.  Prior to starting our Group of Seven Cardmakers blog, our group kept in touch during Covid and started trying out new and (revised) older techniques.  We are including them as a reference for those that are interesting in trying them out.

* * * * *

August 2022

Video:   (84) Talk Crafty To Me "Alcohol Inks & Vaseline" - YouTube

Supplies:

• Yupo
• Alcohol inks (AI's)
• Alcohol blending solution
• Vaseline (placed on a small tray or surface)
• Sponge
• Blowing tool (straw/air can/puffing tool)
• stamps of your choice
• Old rag to remove inks
• Latex gloves (optional but recommended)

Technique Instructions:

Following the video above ...

• Place some Vaseline on your small tray or surface and spread a thin even layer on the sponge then dab onto your stamp.
• Stamp using the image and you will see the imprint from the Vaseline.  If you are creating a background with multiple stamped images add more Vaseline between stampings.
• Have your Alcohol inks, Blending solution and puffer near by.  Drop the different colours of Alcohol inks on your Yupo, use your blending solution and puffer to help move the AI's over the Yupo.
• When you are happy with the design, use an old rag to remove the excess inks.  The Vaseline creates a resist so that the alcohol inks don't penetrate, leaving the outline image white.
• Clean the Vaseline off the stamps using soapy water with a cloth or very soft brush.

Vaseline Resist with Alcohol Inks

Bonnie

 

Christine

 

Foiling

Hi Everyone.  Prior to starting our Group of Seven Cardmakers blog, our group kept in touch during Covid and started trying out new and (revised) older techniques.  We are including them as a reference for those that are interesting in trying them out.

* * * * *

April 2021

Supplies:

• Regular card stock (any colour)
• Foil sheets
• Double-sided tape

Technique Instructions:

• Add double-sided tape in various widths to create a pattern.
• Remove tape and place foil sheet over top.  Burnish.

Variations:

• Regular card stock (any colour)
• Foil sheets
• Double-sided stocky sheet
• Foam (optional)
• Dies

Technique Instructions:

• Place double-sided sticky sheet on card stock, then die-cut image.
• Remove cover and burnish sticky side with foil.

Optional:  Place double-sided sticky sheet on foam, then die-cut image.  Remove cover and burnish sticky side of foil.

Foiling

Bonnie

 

Brenda

Julia (posted on SplitcoastStampers)

Loll

 

Susan