BLACKOUT EMBOSSING

This technique takes advantage of the open areas of an embossing folder by colouring those areas in black, thus leaving the embossed design as the focal point. It is particularly eye-catching if you use vibrant colours as your starting point, I used Distress re-inkers for the initial colouring on the watercolour paper (300gsm). I first saw this technique on Youtube (Sandi MacIver) but skipped the step of spritzing with a shimmer spray as I felt it wasn't really necessary when the addition of metallic waxes, metallic paints for splattering and even using metallic gel pens for details was enough "bling" on the small space on an atc. The most important part of this technique is the choice of embossing folder. I used 3D folders as they are much more raised and defined but you definitely need to have enough open areas to colour in black to make the whole design pop.

"Wonderful life"

"Shine brightly"


"Remember to play"


"Just breathe"


"Live your story"


"Live this life"


I've included this picture of the first one shown at the top
as I didn't realise until after I took this photo that I had
missed colouring a couple of small areas in the middle.
Can you see them? It's so easy to miss. 😉

DOTTED WATERCOLOUR TISSUE

 I love the effect of wrinkled tissue paper with any type of liquid colourant. For these samples, I used watercolours (Daniel Smith) but you could easily use Distress Re-inkers, Distress Sprays or any other type of liquid watercolour. The main thing is to not have anything too opaque as the translucency of the watercolours and the re-inkers and sprays I mentioned is that they are see-through enough for the little metallic dots that are already on this tissue paper to still show through in all their metallic glory.  It's much easier to use a paintbrush to get the colours to move if they are already in a liquid state which is why I wouldn't use watercolour pencils, markers or anything that needs to be put on first and then activated with water as the tissue is still pretty delicate and you risk tearing it. Stick with a liquid to start with and it's easy to get wonderful backgrounds.

"Apothecary"


"I create my reality"

"What the flock?"

"Not your job"

"AH! The element of surprise"
(I loved this little cat/bird die so much I had to
do one for my book and one as a raffle give-away.)

"Don't care"