Embossing with Dies

Hi everyone.  We are back with another wonderful card making technique. :)

In case you missed our last post (July - Northern Lights was late posting), we have revamped our blog to reflect our smaller Group of Designers.  We tried out the Northern Lights technique ... you can check it out HERE.

This month we are ... Embossing with Dies.  This technique stretches the use of your dies by turning them into embossed images.  We are also sharing three different videos which show a variety of ways to do this technique.  We hope you find these videos helpful.

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!

Video:

Embossing with Dies by Scrapbook Expo (2:45).  General outline of supplies and technique.

Embossing with Metal Dies by Jo (first 3:00).  Tip:  Use 3M removable tape - does not rip card stock.

How to Use Dies to Emboss by Rebecca Keppel (12:07).  Lots of alternatives for this technique.

Supplies:

• Thin metal cutting dies
• Card stock
• Embossing machine with cutting plates
• Silicone mat (optional)

Technique Instructions:

• Create "sandwich" for your embossing machine in this order:
• Cutting Plate
• Thin metal die (cut side up)
• Card stock
• Silicone mat
• Depending on machine you may need a top cutting plate or shims
• Run through your embossing machine.  If your impression is not deep enough, add more shims until you are happy with the impression.  If your die cuts through your paper, then remove shims or plates to make your sandwich thinner.

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

Embossing with Dies Card Samples

Loll

Christine

     

Pat

Susan

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Sharing ...

    

Michele F                                        Robyn O                                       Robyn O

  
Robyn O                                  Robyn O                                   Robyn O

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!

Generation Stamping - Design Element

Hi everyone.  This month we are using generation stamping (sometimes called second generation stamping, repetitive stamping, or stamping off).  This is a foundation technique that every stamper should use.  It is a way to either add depth and/or movement to your stamping.  Very simple to do, but adds a great effect to your stamped images.  

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:  

Two Minute Tip - Second Generation Stamping by Ellen Hutson LLC (1:47)

Second Generation Stamping by Catherine Pooler (4:30)

Second Generation Stamping by Unity Stamp Company (1:21)

Supplies:

• Card stock
• Stamps (works best with silhouette images, but line images will work depending on the type of generation stamping)
• Ink

Technique Instructions:

• Ink you stamp really well and then stamp onto your card front
• Without re-inking, quickly stamp your image again in a different area on your card stock.  You may even have enough ink to stamp a third time.
• Depending on your image, you can add:
•  1)  depth (generation stamping anywhere on your panel) adds lighter images that appear to be in the background; or
•  2) movement (generation stamping directly lined up with image but to the left or right in a continuous row), which makes it look like the object is moving; or
•  3) depth with shadow (same as first point, but need to stamp very close to your original image slightly up or down AND slightly left or right)
• Second generation may also be used to stamp off your image and then stamp again onto your card, leaving you with a lighter image

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

Generation Stamping Card Samples

Julia

 

Loll

Bonnie

 

 

Christine

Pat

* * * * *

Sharing ...

Susan B                                        Donna W                                        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!