Textured Backgrounds using Die-cuts

Hi everyone.  Today we are sad as we say goodbye to one of our team members.  Darnell is stepping down and we will all miss her terribly.  Thank you, Darnell, for sharing your amazing talents with us at Group of Seven.  You inspire all of us with your cards, but also with your generousity, charm, wit and humour. 

On to the technique ...

Today we are trying something that is new to most of us.  We've adhered tone-on-tone die-cuts to our card fronts.  This is an easy way to create textured and dimensional backgrounds ... basically faux dry embossing.  It's also a great way to stretch the use of your dies.  

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!!

There are two videos to use as suggestions, but feel free to try your own way.

Videos:

1)  Creating a Tone-on-tone Background with Die-cuts by Kristina Werner (7:42)

2)  Ombre Tone-on-Tone Intricate Die-cut Background by Emily Midgett (10:20)

Sample card from another source:

Supplies: Video #1

• Individual Dies 
• Card stock for both your card front and die-cuts (same colour)
• glue or adhesives
• scissors

Supplies:  Video #2

• Coverplate Die
• Inks for Blending Background (Distress or Distress Oxides) 2-4 colours
• White card stock
• glue or adhesives
• scissors

Technique Instructions - Video #1:

• Pick a die and cut several to lay over top of your card front, making sure some of the images go beyond the edge of the card.  
• Adhere with glue.
• Use scissors to cut off excess.
• Use this as your background for your card design.

Technique Instructions - Video #2:

• Use inks to sponge your backgrounds, creating two that are similar.
• Die-cut one using a coverplate die from your coloured background.
• Die-cut a second using the coverplate from white card stock.
• Glue the two die-cut images together with the coloured one on top.
• Adhere your layered die-cut to the colourful card front, make use they are facing the same way so the colours are fairly aligned.
• Finish your card.

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

Textured Backgrounds using Die-cuts

Loll

 

Susan

        

Julia

Positive

Negative

Christine

Brenda

Bonnie

* * * * *

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

technique and sample cards.

See you then!

* * * * *

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We'll be back on the 28th of (month) with another

technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Glitter Painting on Acetate

Hi everyone.

Most of us have glitter in our craft rooms.  It can be messy to use, and this technique is no exception.  But with planning, you can minimize the amount of stray glitter.  The results are so beautiful as you will see by the sample cards below.

We have two different videos with different ways to do Glitter Painting on Acetate.  They both use acetate, glitter, and glue.  See which one you like best.  Our Group of Seven have card samples of both ways!

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!!

Videos:

1) Glittery Acetate Cards by Crafi Potential (13:03).  This version uses frames dies with acetate, glitter & glue.  You can use regular acetate for this technique.

2) How to use Thermo Acetate with Glitter by tjaniga (9:41).  ***  You only need heat-proof acetate if you are heat embossing your line image.  Otherwise, stamp in archival or permanent ink, flip acetate over, and add glue and glitter to back of image.

Supplies that are used with both techniques:

• White (or light-coloured) card stock
• Acetate (regular or heat-proof if you want to heat emboss)
• Clear drying liquid glue
• Various colours of loose glitter
• Brush
• Fine-tip nozzle for glue bottle (optional)
• Dryer sheet (optional - helps glitter from sticking to acetate where you don't want it)

Extra Supplies for Video 1:

• Framed die-cut with open space

Extra Supplies for Video 2: 

• Permanent ink (such as Staz-on or Archival) / OR
• Heat-proof acetate & Versamark ink

• Line image stamp
• Heat Embossing
• Heat tool

Technique Instructions:

Following Video 1 above ...

• Die-cut framed die from white card stock, twice.
• Cut card base from acetate
• Adhere one die-cut to acetate card front (or card front) using glue
• Add glue to one section at a time, apply glue and sprinkle with glitter; pour off excess glitter.
• Continue to add more glue and glitter until all areas you want coloured are filled.  It is easiest to work with one colour at a time until all the sections with that colour of glitter are complete, then move on to next colour of glitter, etc. 
• Leave piece to dry for several hours or overnight.
• Use a brush to wipe away stray glitter before making your card.
• Adhere second die-cut over top of your glittered acetate image, lining up the design
• Adhere glittered acetate to card base and attach card stock for the inside of card

Following Video 2 above ...

• Stamp line image onto acetate:
• (Using regular acetate); stamp with Permanent ink / OR
• (Using heat-proof acetate); stamp with Versamark; then sprinkle heat embossing powder and heat set
• Flip acetate over
• Add glue to one section at a time, apply glue and sprinkle with glitter; pour off excess glitter.
• Continue to add more glue and glitter until all areas you want coloured are filled.  It is easiest to work with one colour at a time until all the sections with that colour of glitter are complete, then move on to next colour of glitter, etc. 
• Leave piece to dry for several hours or overnight.
• Use brush to wipe away excess loose glitter
• Mount onto card base

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

Glitter Painting with Acetate Technique

Bonnie

 

Julia

Christine

Darnell

Brenda

Susan

Loll

* * * * *

Sharing ...

                                Christine                                                 Pat                                               Loll

We'll be back on the 28th of (month) with another

technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Stencil Monoprint

Hi everyone.  This month we are revisiting a favourite older technique - Stencil Monoprint.  It's a great way to stretch the use of your stencils, as well as being very easy to do.

We are including a video on how to do this technique.  We hope you'll give it a try or let us know if you have a different way to Stencil Monoprint.

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!!

You can create beautiful backgrounds or focal points for your cards, depending on the design of the stencil.  Basically you are using the background of the stencil to create your panel.  You can leave it as is on your card, or you can place the stencil back over top to add different ink colours or embossing paste to fill in the design.

**Bonus:  if you take your first monoprint and there's still lots of ink on your stencil, flip it over onto a clean card panel and blot with paper towel.  You will get a muted version of your first panel - makes beautiful, soft backgrounds.

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One of the best ways to do this technique using powdered inks or sprays, is to create two card panels at the same time.  If you place your stencil over your card panel and add powdered inks & water / or watercolour sprays, you will have created a positive of the stencil.  Take the inky stencil, flip it over onto a second card panel, press down with paper towel (stencil monoprint).  You now have two card panels (positive and negative), along with an inky paper towel which could be adhered to a third card panel and used as a background. :)

Videos:

Stencil Monoprint by Lee-Ann Cross (6:50) - a great example of how to make Stencil Monoprints.  There are a few different ways, but this video is easy to follow.

Supplies:

• Ink or water-soluable mediums (ink, watercolour paints, powdered inks, sprays, acrylic paints, etc.) - 3-4 colours works best
• Water-friendly substrates (watercolour, mixed media, bristol, etc.)
• Water mister
• Paper Towel

Technique Instructions:

• Add ink to stencil; mist with water
• Flip stencil over and place onto water-friendly card
• Press down with paper towel to absorb any excess ink
• Remove stencil and blot with paper towel to create a soft look, or leave to air dry for more vibrant colours.  

Alternative:

• Stencil monoprint creates a negative print (background of stencil).  Once dry, place the cleaned stencil back over top, lining up the design.  Add different ink or embossing paste over the stencil.

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

Stencil Monoprint Card Samples

Julia

Loll

Susan

Bonnie

 

Darnell

Christine

 

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Sharing ...

Bonnie                                         Christine                                           Pat

Michele                                                   Loll                                                   Izzy

Vellum - Product Focus - Embossing (Dry, Heat, Wet)

Hi everyone.  This month we are adding a new category to Group of Seven ... Product Focus.  Vellum may be used in so many ways in place of card stock or over top to create a softened look.

This month we are focussing on Vellum and Embossing (Dry, Heat, Wet).

Thin or thick vellum can be used for all three ways of embossing.  Thick vellum does have advantage as you are less like to experience cracking, tearing or warping.

We recommend thick vellum for most of the techniques.

Amazon USA - Oplymio Thick Transparent Vellum

Amazon Canada - Oplymio Thick Transparent Vellum

Below are a few suggestions for videos to try.

Vellum + Dry Embossing Video:

Vellum Techniques by Laurel Beard (5:22-7:10) - Dry embossing with ink blended background

• Dry emboss a panel of vellum.
• Use a few colours of ink to blend on the back of your panel.  Make sure to smooth the colours together.  Let dry or use heat tool to speed up drying.
• Turn over to complete your card.

Vellum + Heat Embossing Video:

Fabulous Vellum Backgrounds by Christine Stokes (7:28) - how to heat emboss vellum (tips and tricks) and layering stamping for a 3-D look.  You can use a large background stamp or individual stamps.

• Stamp image on front of vellum and heat emboss with white; let cool.
• Flip vellum over and stamp image on back in coloured ink (may use same image or different images).
• Flip vellum over so white embossing is at the front and mount onto card base.  This produces a card from with a 3-D look.  White stamping is in front, and coloured stamping looks recessed.
• Finish card.

Vellum + Wet Embossing Video:  (Embossing Pastes & Embossing Gels)

No video.  Here is a step-by-step:

• Use a vellum piece that is larger than the panel size you need.
• Adhere vellum to work surface (tape down, use magnets, etc. - any way that is strong enough to prevent vellum from curling, which will happen when applying wet paste or gel).
• Place stencil over secured vellum and add paste or gel using a palette knife or scraper.  Remove any excess paste by gently going over surface with a flat edge.
• Remove stencil.  Place stencil and palette knife in water right away or wash thoroughly.
• Leave vellum to air dry.  
• Remove tape or magnets and secure vellum to card.  
• Continue to finish card.

We hope you'll try using Vellum in whatever way inspires you.

If you do make cards using Vellum, 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.

Vellum Card Samples

Loll

 

Julia

Bonnie

Brenda

 

Susan

 

Christine

 

 * * * * *

Sharing ...

                              Marcia Hill                                      Marcia Hill                                           Bonnie

                               Linda W.                                         Linda W.                                          Linda W.

                               Robyn O.                                     Jenny Martin                                      JoAnn B.

                                   Pat                                                Bonnie                                      Nance Salkeld

                                      Pat                                                    Loll                                               Julie B