Ranger U was such a rewarding experience - it allowed me the opportunity to learn and play for three days as Tim, Claudine and Suze instructed us in a WIDE range of techniques. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have a collection of tags to refer to when deciding what to teach next.
The technique I would like to share with you today was one that I absolutely loved. Perhaps it is the way that these colors just pop off the black cardstock, or maybe it is just the fact that this is a technique that I don't seem to have complete control over the outcome and this fascinates me, but I LOVED "painting" with embossing powders.
I am sharing two cards with you today to show you first how to "paint with embossing powder." The second card then shares how you can use the excess powders and the results you will achieve. (I can't throw anything away - LOL!)
Selection of the image is probably THE most important aspect of this technique. Silhouette images are by far the best illustration for this type of project. Following are a few examples I selected from our store:
As you can see I have showcased a wide variety of images, but the one commonality is that they all have black lines that are not too delicate.
To begin I determined my color scheme by selecting patterned papers from the Jovial collection by Basic Grey. Lettuce, Stream and Red Pepper were the three colors I felt would pop the Christmas Tree image I was using.
Rub an embossing buddy over the surface of the black cardstock to reduce static. This helps to avoid excess sprinkles of embossing powder sticking to the cardstock in undesirable locations.
Stamp the image using Distress Embossing ink. (This is one ink pad that I absolutely love to use --- it smells like cinnamon :-D)
Begin with the color that you would like to be dominant - I used Lettuce first. Sprinkle in desired locations, following up with Stream and Red Pepper as shown in the photo above.
Remove excess powder by dumping it on to an extra sheet of paper. Don't be a tapper or you will lose too much of your powder. Gently heat with your Heat It tool. Keep moving to a new unmelted area with your heat tool as it begins to melt to avoid the special effect noted below.
Interesting Tidbit: Adirondack embossing powders have a white core. If you continue heating this embossing powder after it first melts you will have little white marks appear in the midst of your bright colors.
Pull out those brads you have had sitting in your drawers and embellish - I love how these look on this little tree!
TIP: What you will find is that Basic Grey's colors coordinate over the years. I used some old Urban Prairie brads on this tree. Of course Jovial brads would be the first pick, but rather than opening a new package I really would like to suggest looking at your old ones as well. Upon opening my brads I put them in a little ziplock bag (like the one our thank you note comes in), label with a Sharpie marker and put in a drawer with my brad collection. This makes it super easy for me to determine whether I need more brads :-D
Complete the card with a very simple use of decorative papers to pull these fun colors together.
Now to work with the excess powder from your mix. Don't waste this powder - either collect it in it's own little bottle or continue to use it on a series of projects and make a collection of cards for the holiday season ahead.
As you can see it really is a fun look - because I simply poured the powder off and then back on to next project. Each tree will have a unique and beautiful look.
Once again heat set the powder. I then added some bling to this one for variety.
Change up the layout just a little. As you can see by changing it up ever so slightly you will continue to create one of a kind cards that do not take a great deal of time to make because you are using similar "ingredients."
stamps: Hero Arts ClearDesign Tree-mendous and Joy to All
ink: Distress Embossing Ink, Memento Tuxedo Black
paper: Black Cardstock, Basic Grey Jovial 6x6 Paper Pad, Memory Box Parsley and Bayou
accessories: Adirondack Embossing Powder - Lettuce, Stream, Red Pepper; Embossing Buddy, Heat It Tool, Tim Holtz On the Edge Bracket Die, Memory Box Christmas Gemstones, Cosmo Cricket Red Tiny Type
PAINTING WITH EMBOSSING POWDERS CHALLENGE
I would like to challenge you to give this techinque a try. Link up your projects using the Inlinkz insert below - this will give others an opportunity to see what you have created and learn from you as well! You will have one week, until November 22nd - watch the countdown on the link information below) to participate by creating two cards using the "Painting with Embossing Powders" technique demonstrated above - use fresh powders and then show the mix. We will randomly select one participant to receive three embossing powders (colors of their choice) along with one Memory Box stamp of their choice. We look forwards to seeing what you create!
