Celebrate Amazing You!

Today I wanted to share four cards with you, all different but sharing a similar technique.

On all of the cards I have used gesso on black card stock in different ways and then applied different coloured inks to each.

For all of my cards I have used the "Amazing You" stamp set and the "Celebrate You" Thinlits die set.

For this card the ink colours are Wisteria Wonder and Night of Navy.

I  applied the gesso through a mask and once dry I sponged on my inks. The gesso picks up the sponged inks readily. I also added some silver embossing powder. Some "bricks" were cut away to show case the die cut and stamped sentiment.

For this card I sponged on the gesso covering most of the card surface. Once dry I sponged on and blended my inks: Berry Burst and Tangerine Tango. Then I lightly screwed up the card to create wrinkles. I swiped Basic Black Archival ink over the wrinkles to accentuate. I stamped some black dots in the background. The sentiment is die cut and stamped and embossed. I wrapped some gold thread around the card background before adhering to the card base.

I used the sentiment from the front die cut to decorate the inside of the card.

For this card I began by applying the gesso lightly with a brush in a cross hatching fashion. I added some heavier gesso lines with an old credit card. Once dry I sponged on and blended the inks: Rich Razzleberry and Crushed Curry. I grabbed my credit card again added some Rich Razzleberry lines. Using my credit card again I added some Versa Mark lines and embossed them with gold embossing powder. 

I die cut the word "amazing" twice in black card stock and gold embossed one of them. I offset the gold over the black. I finished off by adding some gold thread to the "o" and "u".

To achieve the effect on this card I lightly sponged on the gesso so there was some of the black card showing through. Once dry I blended my ink colours: Pacific Point, Mariner Mist and Tempting Turquoise. I sprinkled on some silver embossing powder and finished off with some gesso splatters. I really love this effect, it reminds me of a galaxy.

The sentiment was die cut and silver embossed. I threaded some seed and bugle beads onto silver thread and wrapped it behind the "you".

I decorated the inside of the card with the die cut.

Gesso really is a great companion to your inks. It is so versatile and creates so many possibilities.

Let Your Light Shine - Tag Card

I wanted to experiment with Mat Gel Medium and my inks, so I decided to add texture with some tissue paper.

I have used Crushed Curry and Marina Mist inks and the "Beautiful Peacock" stamp set.

I have typed the sentiment on my computer.

After inking the background I applied wrinkled tissue paper over the top using Mat Gel Medium. I added more ink over the top of the Medium.

I used gold embossing powder on the background and along the edges.

The tag is removable.

I used silk ribbon and gold thread to embellish the tail of the peacock.

The Bible verse was printed from my computer.

I love the texture the Mat Gel Medium allowed me to achieve on this card.

It's All Perspective

A bunch of various hardware items may be seen by some as serving a practical use, by some as tools of their trade, by some as completely insignificant..

...but by some of us - creative potential...

As I was pondering the creative potential of hardware, I couldn't help but..

"Consider God's perspective..who looked at the dust and saw a human being."

I used the hinge to create a door. Inside the door...

"Gold is always found underneath the surface"

I was also challenged during the creation of this piece to broaden my perspective of people.

I have used Plasterboard Jointing Tape, Masking Tape and coarse sandpaper in the background.

The substrate is a piece of 12" x 12" box board cut in half and joined together.

The colour was achieved using Stampin'Up! inks.

I have used bolt cutters to cut the ends off the screws and glued them in place. I used the ends in the metal collage.

 I have added some gold embossing powder to the quote and antique gold charms.

I am looking forward to recreating this project on a smaller scale for a card.

You're Awesome - Ink and Brushos

Our youngest son has just recently reached his first savings goal by working hard over the school holidays in his new job. So I decided to make him a card recognising his efforts and to let him know how proud we are of him.

The stamp set is called "Epic Celebrations". The ink colours are Cajun Craze and Old Olive. I have also used Brushos Moss Green. The paper is ordinary copier paper.

I prepared my background papers first with ink and texture. I will be doing a tutorial on this technique later.

I used Brushos on the sentiment and headphones. I will be showing this technique in a later tutorial. I also sprinkled it over the background.

I dyed some gauze to add some further embellishment.

I prepared a liner on my computer and inked the edges.

I discovered a couple of new techniques creating this card. I am hoping to share them with you soon by way of tutorials. Stay tuned for that.

Angel Wings - Shimmery White Embossing Paste

Another cool medium I received at Christmas was the new Stampin'Up!® Shimmery White Embossing Paste. As soon as I saw it I thought about angel wings.

The ink colours I have used are Pink Pirouette and Smoky Slate. I have die cut the cross using the "Cross of Hope" Framelits Dies. The flowers were created using the Blossom Builder Punch. I cut the angel wings from a sketch I drew.

After adding some ink to the wings, I added some water to the Shimmery White Embossing Paste and washed it across the wings. This added a lovely glittery finish without the dimension. After drying I brushed the Paste onto the wing tips to add some texture.

I also added the Paste to the background through a mask and dabbed it onto the cross. The flower centres have been rolled in the Paste.

I dabbed some Paste around the edges of the bottom layer of the quote.

I continued the Bible verse on the inside of the card.

I love how soft and delicate this card worked out and the pretty touch of the Shimmery White Embossing Paste.

Best Friend - Silver Embossing Paste

I created a second card using Stampin'Up!® Silver Embossing because I wanted a better result using a mask.

This time I loaded a sponge with the Paste and dabbed it through my mask. I am much happier with the result. What it lacks in dimension, it makes up for in texture.

The stamp set is called "Happy Wishes". The inks colours are Elegant Eggplant and Night of Navy.

I also used the "Garden Trellis" embossing folder.

The top layer is torn copier paper. Underneath I have inked and embossed card. I applied some of the Silver Embossing Paste with my finger to the raised surface of the embossed card to highlight.

I have highlighted the edges of the paper with the Paste.

I created the flowers using the "Blossom Builder" punch. I have also edged the flowers with the Paste.

I really love the unique texture of the Silver Embossing Paste, making it so versatile. I'm sure I will be using it a lot more in the future.

Simply Amazing - Silver Embossing Paste

I was lucky enough to receive a box of Stampin'Up! products for Christmas from my husband. One of the products I received was Silver Embossing Paste. I have been experimenting with it for the past couple of days and I love it.

The stamp set I used is called "Amazing You". I also used the matching "Celebrating You" Thinlits Dies.

The ink colours are Island Indigo, Marina Mist and Basic Black Archival.

The Silver Embossing Paste is a much different consistency to our ordinary Embossing Paste. It is a bit like thick paint so when I tried to use it through a mask with a spatula it spread under the mask and was unsuccessful. I have since found a better way to use it with masks but I will save that for my next post.

Because of it's unique consistency I did find some really cool ways to use it. I was able to water it down to create a glaze over my inked paper which you can see behind the tear. I also splattered the watered down mix over my background.

I used a paint brush to dab it full strength over my word die cut. It created some great texture.

While I had my paint brush I brushed some over the paper edges.

The flower was created from my glazed paper. It is hard to see in the photo but I created some dimension in the top flower layer.

The Silver Embossing Paste also worked in my silicone cake decorating mould to create some butterflies.

I loved playing around with this Embossing Paste and I have discovered some other ways to use it which I will share in my next post.

Ink, Gesso and Masks

I have one more experiment with Gesso to share with you.

This time I sponged some Gesso through a mask and allowed it to dry before applying the ink. I have used Stampin'Up! Melon Mambo and Tangerine Tango. The stamp set is "Number of Years".

When I spritzed my background with water the ink on the Gesso turned into a cool batik type pattern.

I cut a hole from the centre and backed it with some gathered paper.

I have really loved how the inks have played with the Gesso to give more of a mixed media feel to my cards.