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!!  

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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

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

technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Gilding Flakes on Acetate

Hi everyone.  This month we are playing with Gilding Flakes on Acetate.  You can stamp an image using Gilding Flake glue (or any tacky glue) or you can add a thin layer of glue over a stencil before adding your Gilding Flakes.  The team has created cards using different methods and we hope we've inspired you to give this a try!

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:  

Gilding Flakes on Acetate! by Meerkat Makes by L (9:58)

Supplies:

• Acetate
• Gilding Flakes
• Gilding Flake glue or any tacky glue*.  (If you are using regular glue, you need to add a very thin coat - any build-up will flatten when you add gilding flakes and distort your image.  Same for stenciling.)
• Stamp  (silhouette or line image will work)
• Sponge (to use as an ink pad for the glue)
• Abrasive sponge to burnish gilding flakes (Rub it-Scrub it from Ranger is recommended)

Technique Instructions:

• Use a sponge to pick up a small amount of gilding flake glue and pounce overtop of your stamp (either silhouette or line image will work).  Stamp image onto a piece of acetate.
• Allow glue to dry (gilding flake glue dries clear but remains tacky, so gilding flakes will stick after it is dry).  If using regular glue, you must add flakes while glue is dry.  Make sure to add very thin coat of glue so the image isn't distorted when pressing your flakes on top of wet glue.
• Apply gilding flakes over glue image
• Rub off the majority of excess flakes using your fingers or a scrubber to reveal your image / design
• Catch excess flakes / dust and return to your container for future use
• Clean off Acetate using paper towel and water before creating your card

Alternative:

• Try using a stencil to add glue and gilding flakes onto an acetate sheet
• Try this technique on vellum instead of acetate for a semi-transparent look

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

Gilding Flakes on Acetate Card Samples

Julia

Bonnie

Susan

Loll

 

Christine

Pat

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We'll be back on the 28th of May

with another technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Embossing Paste - Product Focus

Hi everyone.  This month we are showcasing Embossing Pastes (opaque) as our Product Focus.  We are covering:  types of pastes; how to secure your stencil; how much paste to add; customing your pastes with Colour and/or Texture.  Embossing Gels (transparent) will be covered separately at a later date.

Types of Pastes: (Opaque - doesn't show what is underneath)

• White Pastes
• Coloured Pastes
• Black Paste (Black Gesso is a great alternative if you already have it)
• Metallic Pastes

Specialty Pastes:

• Glitter Pastes: Spectrum Noir (JA - USA); Cosmic Shimmer (SSS - USA)
• Crackle Paste (Opus - Cda) : Crackle Paste (JA - USA); (Blick - USA)
• Fiber Paste (Opus - Cda) : Fiber Paste (JA - USA); (Blick - USA)

Canada:

Opus Art Supplies

USA:

Blick - Blick Art Materials

JA - Jerry's Artarama

SSS - Simon Says Stamp

To save money and also have less pastes to store (which do dry up over time), avoid buying coloured pastes.  Instead buy white paste and colour with re-inkers, powdered inks, acrylic paints or other water soluble colouring mediums.

You can also customize your paste by adding texture (glitter, micobeads, fibres, etc.)

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Supplies for Stenciling with Pastes: (with links to products)

• Card stock
• Stencil
• Painter's tape or Removable Tape
• Palette knife or Stencil Pal (recommended), but you can use any utensil that will spread your paste
• Paste

Place card stock on your work surface.  You may want to add a piece of scratch paper underneath that is larger than stencil to catch any paste that goes off the edge.

Place stencil over card stock, secure with tape to hold it in place while you work.

Use your palette knife, Stencil Pal, or utensil to pick up a fair size of paste.  Start at the top and swipe your paste over the stencil, adding a thick layer.  Smooth the surface, but try not to go over it too many times.

Use your palette knife, Stencil Pal, or item at about 45 degree angle to gently scrape off excess paste.  Try not to go over the same area many times.  If the paste being removed is clean, place it back into your jar to use again later.  Repeat until you have gone over the whole stencil. 

When you are happy with the look, remove tape and gently lift stencil.  Wash your stencil and utensils right away, or temporarily place in a container of water so they are submerged; clean later.

Let the stenciled paste dry thoroughly before finishing your card.

Alternatives:

• Add Colour:  Place an amount of paste on your work surface and add colour (re-inkers, powdered inks, acrylic paint, or any water soluable medium).  Use your palette knife to mix thoroughly together so there are no streaks of white and you've achieved the colour you want.  Apply the coloured paste over your stencil and follow the instructions above on how to apply and remove the stencil.  Make sure to keep the leftover coloured paste in a separate container ... or dispose.  Let dry thoroughly before making your card.
• Add Texture:  Place an amount of paste on your work surface and add texture (glitter, micro beads, etc.).  Use your palette knife to mix thoroughly together.  Follow the instructions above on how to apply and remove the stencil.  Let dry thoroughly before making your card.
• Add Freehand Paste:  Use a palette knife or something similar to pick up paste and add in strokes to your card front.  You can add clouds, snowhills, etc.  Use the palette knife to create a pattern or random design.
• Sponging Paste:  Try using a sponge to add paste over your stencil for a different look. Or use a sponge to add texture to your wet paste.
• Add Heat Embossing:  after removing the stencil, sprinkle your wet paste with embossing powder; shake off excess.  1)  Let dry thoroughly and heat set the embossing powder; 2) heat set the powder before the paste is dry.  The moisture in the wet paste will bubble and create a unique look.

  We hope you'll be inspired to give it a try for yourself.

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

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

Embossing Paste Card Samples

Julia

Susan

Christine

Brenda

Bonnie

Pat

Loll

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Sharing ...

                    Bonnie                                             Bonnie                  (Jo - missing Instagram photo)

    

Pat                                         Robyn O                                      Megan J

Megan J                                                                                           Robyn O

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

technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Floating Frames

Hi everyone.  This month we are working with the Floating Frames technique.  It is a technique where you stamp, colour, and die-cut several images and then arranged them over a card front, tacking them down temporarily.  Then you can die-cut a shape from the center (round, oval, square, etc.).  You now have two pieces to make into cards, 1) the shape you die-cut and; 2) the frame created.

There are a few ways to do this technique.  We hope you'll check out the videos below and give it a try ... or maybe you have your own way of doing this technique.  We'd love to hear from you and hope to see you in the gallery.

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!

Videos:  

Floating Die Cut Frame by Jennifer McQuire (13:36)

Floating Frames Version without Press 'N Seal by Natasha Foote (7:45)

Technique Instructions:

• Stamp and colour several medium to small images that have a matching die
• Die-cut images (or fussy-cut if you prefer).
• Arrange the images over top of a card front, letting some go over the edge.  Try to arrange so the images are fairly close together with only small gaps in-between.
• Add a piece of Press 'n Seal over top carefully and then pat with your hands so all the pieces (and the background card) are secure.
• Flip the image over and cut off all the excess.
• Optional:  Carefully remove the background card piece, leaving just the Press 'n Seal that is covered with die-cuts.  Note:  found it was easier to die-cut it all together with the back card
• Arrange a shaped die over top in the center of your image and run through your die-cutting machine.
• You will use both pieces to create two cards.
• Flip the image over to the back and add pop dots or foam tape over the images.  Remove the Press 'n Seal
• Add your images onto a card front.  Finish your cards.

Alternative instructions:

• You can do this technique without Press 'n Seal ...
• Pop up your coloured images onto a card front, letting some of the images go over the edge.  
• Hold the images in place with removable tape.
• Flip over and trim the back so the die-cuts are cut flush to the card front.
• Die-cut shape from the center of your card, creating the shape and a frame
• Make these pieces into cards.

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

Floating Frames Card Samples

Julia

Loll

   Brenda

Bonnie

 

Susan

Christine

Pat

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Sharing ...

Robyn O                                             Robyn O                                         Bunny Hoyle         

            Bunny Hoyle                                            Megan J                                             Megan J                         

Robyn O                                              Bobby                                                 Bobby

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

technique and sample cards.

See you then!