ECLIPSE TECHNIQUE

I've been wanting to do the Eclipse Technique for quite a while.  I just had to wait for the supply of skinny 3mm wide black and white foam strips and the little tiny black square foam pieces before tackling it.  As ATC's are so small, you have to be very selective about what type of die you can use on it.  The usual way of doing Eclipse has been to do a name using large letters across a card.  So the little die-cut letters on the first sample are only 3cm high and just fit on the ATC.  You can use either black craft foam under your die-cut shapes or alternatively, as I have in some of my samples, use the skinny foam strips and squares to raise the die-cut shape up.  The important thing to remember is you are cutting your die shape from your existing background, then placing it back into the same space, but raising it.  You also need to make sure that you keep any little bits that come out (like the triangle in the letter "A" and the oval shape from the "U" as you need to replace them to give the background continuity).  The shape can be as simple as the oval shape in the 2nd example, "Magic", which is the oval shape cut from a stamped image on the background.  Or a more intricate example like the gravestones in "Wicked" below.

"Far Out"

"Far Out" side view

"Magic"

"Magic" side view

"Neverland"

(The fairy is stamped onto the jar die shape

before putting it together)

"Time Flies"

(Same jar as before but this time it has

some flies in it)

"Wicked"

(Vellum ghost placed over raised

gravestones... a bit fiddly this one and

to make the gravestones stand out,

I've drawn around the edges with a 

fine black marker.  Unfortunately

you can't see the dimension, but it's

there, trust me!)

 "Hot Mess"

This final example is not an Eclipse one but I wanted to post it for the moon shape.  I was trying to find a good moon die-cut and they are all just circles or crescent shapes.  I wanted some texture to it.  So I cut a circle from white card, spritzed with Perfect Pearls spray to give it a little shimmer, dried it, then ran it through the 3-D embossing folder called "Bubbles".  This created some craters in the moon.  I then added a little shading with Hickory Smoke Distress Oxide Ink on a sponge and raised it with foam tape.  Perfect moon!

DIE-CUT FINISHES

Die-cut shapes and images are always a great way to add either a focal point or embellishing an ATC or card.  These are just some of the ways I have used to add a finish to these samples.

  

"People"...

1.  UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) is a chunky embossing powder that you can use 

to just coat the die-cut, or you can also stamp into it while still hot to create texture.  The

background is Paper Mill alcohol ink on photo paper.

"Forecast"...

2.  Cut your shapes from black card, then rub over metallic wax or 

metallic paint over sections of the die-cut shape to add interest. The

background is metallic paint smoosh technique.

"In memory"...

3.  A simple die cut from plain black cardstock and left as is.  

It highlights a brighter background beautifully.  The background

is from the last class, Shimmer Pens 2 and is made using the

Nuvo Glitter Markers.

"Lose hope"...

4.  Die-cut a background die and then colour with Black Spectrum Noir shimmer pen 

which adds a subtle sparkle finish.  I also added silver to the star shapes on the die-cut with 

a Nuvo Silver Glitter Marker which was then coated with Glossy Accents.  Silver and 

Grey sequin stars were also added to the galaxy style background to continue the theme.

"Soul"...

5.  Another black die-cut background over the top of a Distress Oxide 

background piece.  I rubbed Treasure Gold metallic wax on the black of the

die-cut to give it some highlights and a subtle change of colour.  

"Beauty"...

6.  Another background die that was cut from plain black card, then coated

with 2 coats of UTEE black embossing powder.  This gives a wonderful

deep, glossy, black finish to the die-cut.  I have attached it using the

Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher with the staples coloured in first with a

black permanent marker.  This is a trick I use frequently, colouring

in a row of staples to co-ordinate with the ATC I am using them on.

The background is Nuvo Shimmer Powder in the colour, Catherine Wheel.