Faux Cyanotypes

Hi everyone.  This month we are playing with the Faux Cyanotype Technique.  This is a photography technique that has been around for a long time.  Many wonderful art/photography techniques have been adapted for card making.  

There are two easy ways to do this as a card technique and we have included videos of both below.  The 1st technique, gives a very similar look to the photographic art form.  The 2nd technique is a version of the artform, also very beautiful.

Videos:

1)  Faux Cyanotype Technique by Tracy Evans (37:16) - just watch the first 9 min.  If you have a platform and can repeat stamp images - then you won't need to paint over top.  She does add different techniques on top and worth watching if you have time.  Or fast forward to almost the end of the video to see the finished card - worth it!

2)  Faux Cyanotypes with Masking by Understand Blue - Lydia Fieldler -  (7:27)

Supplies: (for both Techniques)

• Smooth card stock or Mixed Media paper
• Sponge brushes
• Distress ink or DOX inks in deep blue (Blueprint Sketch used in video)
• Masking tape or masking sheets ... or temporary tape to create masking
• Shape die (whatever works with your image)
• Solid Stamp image
• White Pigment ink (only for Technique #1)
• Sentiment stamp

Technique Instructions: (Technique #1)

• Make background using very saturated ink:
• Mask frame on card front and then sponge the aperature with blue ink , making sure the ink colour is very saturated and the colour is deep (or try any other colour of ink you like --- just remember you are only using one colour for the sponged background, along with White ink for the image) ... OR ...
• use your ink pad direct to paper for a strong colour for the background
• If using mask, leave in place
• Stamp your image with White Pigment ink.  Important:  wipe stamp clean after every stamping of white ink (the stamp may pick up some of the background colour and you don't want to contaminate your white ink pad).  If using stamping platform, repeat your stamping until image is bold and a good contrast to the sponged areas.
• Remove mask.
• Stamp sentiment and finish card

Technique Instructions: (Technique #2)

• Die-cut aperture from masking sheet ... or ... Mask card stock using temporary tape, leaving an aperture (vary shapes for variety)
• Lightly sponge the aperture with blue ink (or try any other colour of ink you like --- just remember you are only using one colour for both sponged background and image).
• Add layers to create the depth of colour you want for the background (light is best so the image pops)
• Leave masks in place and stamp your image overtop of aperture in the same colour used to sponge the background.  If using stamping platform, repeat your stamping until image is bold and a good contrast to the sponged areas.
• Remove masks
• Stamp sentiment and finish card

Alternatives: (both versions)

• Try doing this technique (either version) with different colours of ink --- just remember you are only using one colour of ink (plus white ink for Technique #1)

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

Faux Cyanotype Card Samples

Christine

Loll

Susan

Pat

* * * * *

We'll be back on the 28th of March

with another technique and sample cards.

See you then!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Textured Tissue Paper with Dry Embossing

Hi everyone.  Today we are combining four techniques (watercolouring, sponging, dry embossing, brayering) to create beautiful and unique cards.

It all starts by adding texture to our card fronts using thick or wet strength tissue paper.  Below is a video on how to watercolour tissue paper if you want to give it a try.  Only need to watch the first 3 1/2 minutes for how-to and tips.

Video:  Tissue Paper Watercolouring & Techniques by Loll Thompson (10:24) - watch first 3:30 mins. on how-to

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!!

Supplies:

• White card stock
• White tissue paper (thick or wet strength tissue paper) ***
• Glue (Elmers or something similar)
• Sponge or sponge brush to spread glue
• Inks (2 or 3 colours work best)
• Sponges
• Detailed Embossing folder (3D are best, but regular efs work too!)
• Brayer
• Metallic acrylic paint (acrylic paint shows more contrast than alternatives)

*** Here is a link to craft tissue paper on Amazon (Canada); (US); (UK).  We have not tried this paper because we had thick tissue to use already in our supplies.  We believe this paper will work great for this technique.

Technique Instructions: (with Tips)

1.    Watercolour tissue paper (let dry); then glue onto white card front (let dry)

        - Tips:  

        - Use thick or wet stength tissue paper (available in some craft stores or through Amazon)

        - Use 2-3 colours of ink to watercolour tissue, follow video instructions

        - Takes approx. 20 minutes to dry watercolour tissue

        - Use everyday glue (ex. Elmers) to glue tissue to white card.

        - If you want more texture, scrunch the tissue paper then smooth out before gluing to white card ...

          or scrunch it as you glue it to your card front

2.    Sponge your tissue mounted card with same colours of inks used to watercolour.

        This adds layers of colour with increases the vibrancy to your colours.

       

3.    Dry emboss with 3D detail folder

        - Tip:  3D Embossing Folders work best - the more detailed, the better.  The less detailed the

            folder, the more risk of getting the brayered metallic paint (step below) on the background of

            your piece.

            ... but ... regular embossing folders will work for this (see Loll's blue and purple card below)

        - Tip:  Avoid the newer 3D embossing folders with layers within the design.  The brayer

            will only catch the design on top.

4.    Brayer LIGHTLY with metallic, acrylic paint to catch highlight of embossing

        - Tips:  Brayer LIGHTLY to minimize paint getting on background

        - Do several LIGHT coats from different angles

        - Use small paintbrush and more metallic paint to fill in raised areas missed by the brayer

Alternatives:

• If you don't have a brayer, try lightly tapping your ink pad directly onto your embossed image.  Tap very lightly and several times to build colour.  Ink will not create as much contrast as acrylic paint, but it will add to the card's design.

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

Textured Tissue Paper with Dry Embossing Card Samples

Loll

Susan

 

Christine

Pat

We'll be back on the 28th of November

with another technique and sample cards.

See you then!

* * * * *

Sharing ...

  

Vicki                                                   Loll                                               Loll

  

Julie B                                    Robyn O                               JoAnn B.

Northern Lights

Hi everyone.  We are back after a short re-Group with another wonderful card making technique. :)  We have revamped our blog to reflect our smaller Group of Designers.  We missed posting for July, so we are posting today to share the wonderful Northern Lights Technique.  We hope our cards inspire you to try this technique.

Our August blog post will be back to regular schedule, going live at 10am (PST) August 28th.  We hope you'll be back!

For Northern Lights Techniques ... there are many different ways to do this technqiue with a variety of different colour combinations.  We have four video tutorials showing different ways to create Northern Lights.  This is not a quick technique, and the videos reflect that.

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

Videos:  Some of the video are quite long, but worth watching ...

1) Ink Blended Northern Lights by Lydia Fiedler (7:17)

2) Beautiful Northern Lights by Ciara T. Designs (16:19)

3) Northern Lights Demo by Marilyn G. (31:19)

4) Quick Northern Lights by Kevin Nakagawa (19:32)

Supplies:

• White card stock (if possible, use white card stock with a slight gloss to it for easier blending)
• Ink pads (colours for background of lights & darker for sky)
• Blending brushes or sponges
• White acrylic paint for splattering

Technique Instructions:

• Cut white card stock to card size before starting
• Using blending brushes or sponges, add colours (light) to your background following the videos
• Using blending brushes or sponges, add colours (dark) over top (sky) following the videos
• Once dry, splatter the sky with diluted white paint
• Finish card. 

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

Northern Lights Card Samples

Loll

Susan

Pat

Christine

* * * * *

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

technique and sample cards.

See you then!

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!