(click on the pics to enbiggan)
I love chipboard shapes and embellishments--there are so many fun pre-fab designs out there! But, sometimes I like to make my own using my low profile dies and a specialty material called Craft-a-Board.
Craft-a-Board is lighter weight and less dense than traditional chipboard as well as more absorbant. It can be cut with low-profile dies and has the added benefit of being a light, off-white color, which can help keep coloring mediums more true-to-life than kraft colored chipboard when applied to the surface.
Here, I've die cut a thanks/cloud shape (Memory Box) from both the Craft-a-Board and from some gold foil paper (Chickaniddy). After applying a thin layer of glue to the Craft-a-Board, I mounted the foil piece directly over top.
TIP: Craft-a-Board is *just* thin enough to cut with low-profile dies, but if you add an additional layer of paper, the die will not be able to cut cleanly/completely through.
After cutting a star shape (My Favorite Things), I embossed it with a tightly patterned embossing folder (Linear by Lifestyle Crafts) and then lightly brayered Versamark over the raised portions of the design and white embossed it. After buffing the surface with some Distress Ink, I had a brightly colored, patterned shape with a fun white striped texture!
TIPS:
- Die cut your shape first and then emboss it, otherwise die cutting after embossing can flatten the design.
- If you want to heat emboss the raised areas of the design, you can brayer embossing ink over the top and then heat emboss with your choice of embossing powder.
- If you want to heat emboss the DE-bossed areas, you can brayer the embossing ink directly to the raised portions of the embossing folder itself, then run the die cut shape inside the folder through your Big Shot.
Painted Craft-a-Board shapes make wonderful embellishments that add dimension without being overly bulky! Here I painted a die cut flower and leaves (Savvy Stamps) with Distress Paints.
TIP: Before applying wet/fluid coloring mediums, prime your Craft-a-Board pieces with a coat of gesso. This will prevent the surface from absorbing moisture, pilling and degrading/deteriorating.
A high gloss effect is achieved on this Hello die cut (Avery Elle) by applying a thick coating of Glossy Accents, after coloring it with Copic markers, and allowing it to dry overnight. The end results mimic epoxy or enamel!
TIPS:
- To create a double-thick embellishment from a more intricate die cut shape, try leaving one shape inside the negative and apply glue stick over the top; this will prevent glue from getting everywhere. Simply mount the second shape directly over top, then use a stylus or tweezers to eject/release the shape from the negative.
- The glue stick has the added benefit of enough open time to allow you to manipulate the pieces together and achieve perfect alignment and it is not an overly "wet" type of glue so it won't degrade the surface while you are working.
- Avoid shaking Glossy Accents to reduce the possibility of air bubbles; if you do end up with any air bubbles, use a pin to drag them out to the edge and off your project
- Allow thick layers of Glossy Accents to dry/cure overnight to avoid smooshing...
This no-mess glitter epoxy-like heart was made by applying a heart die cut from Cosmo Cricket (self-adhesive) Glitter Sheets to the top of its Craft-a-Board counter part, then coated heavily with Glossy Accents and allowed to dry overnight.
TIPS:
- The same effect can be achieved by pressing the glittered shape against an embossing ink pad, then coating it with UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel in clear) and heat embossing. It will require approximately 3 applications of UTEE to achieve the same type of loft shown above; this works great if you're in a hurry and don't have time to allow it to dry overnight.
- Don't have glitter sheets in the color you need? Coat the shape with a thin layer of clear-drying glue and then your glitter of choice. Apply Glossy Accents over the top and allow to dry overnight.
To see all the above techniques and processes in action, please watch the video we've included below:
LINK: Watch on our YouTube Channel HERE
Craft-a-Board is suitable not only for dimensional embellishments, but also for making sturdy boxes from the many fun dies available! Thanks for joining me and I hope this gives you a glimpse into the many creative possibilities with Craft-a-Board!
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