Tuesday, June 23, 2020

EMBOSSED WAXED BACKGROUNDS

 This technique embraces the depth of the 3-D embossing folders that are available through the various companies now.  I've used plain black cardstock and only 3-D embossing folders for this technique, though you could try it with your normal embossing folders as well.  A trick I learnt was to lightly spritz with water one side of the card stock before running it through.  This relaxes the card stock and allows for the deep impressions without causing excessive cracking and tearing which can happen if you skip this step.  It's not a bad habit to get into when you're using your normal embossing folders too!  I followed up with some distress oxide ink as these will show up on dark card stock (stick with lighter colours though and don't expect a true colour representation!), then I applied the Art Alchemy Waxes from Finnabair as well as my old collection of Treasure Gold waxes.  These waxes show up really well on black and are a staple of many a mixed media/card maker/paper artist.

"The heart"
(This little folded 3-D heart from Sizzix is a test 
of your patience, but oh so worth it)

"Don't look back"

"Bitter"

"Aspire"
(The computer does enjoy fiddling with the 
tones and shades of metallics, rest-assured
all these silvers match)

"Selfie"
(The squiggly lines in her hair are made by using
the fine Distress Embossing Marker Pen, then
just clear embossing.  A neat effect!)

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

ALCOHOL INK ON TEXTURED FOIL

Everyone knows how well Alcohol Inks work on foil.  This substrate is also a foil, but it's not an intended art surface.  I noticed my hairdresser using a pre-cut foil product instead of the usual kitchen foil that she used to cut up for the foils in my hair.  I immediately thought it would be a perfect surface for alcohol inks and loved the bumpy texture it had.  I was right!  It's a wonderful surface after it is applied to a piece of card stock for stability.  The translucence of the alcohol inks and the texture creates a very different look to traditional Yupo or adhesive foil that I've used before.  If your hairdresser uses this type of foil, ask for a couple of pieces to give it a try and I'm sure you'll be convinced too. 

"Find your wings"
(I coloured a scrap of Yupo with mustard & grey
alcohol ink and then die-cut the leaves out to
get the leaves for the branch)

"Scenic Route"
(The clouds up the top are a little of Snowcap (white)
alcohol ink mixed with 99% alcohol in a 
needle-nose bottle)

"What you allow"

"If not now"

"Leap of faith"

"Dragon"
(I used the Alcohol Pearls on this background.
They are not quite as translucent as the normal
alcohol inks but still work ok)

Finally, this is another one from last fortnight's class, Focal Stamping & Brusho Background.

"Fungi"