This week's technique was a challenge for me and brought me quite a few learning moments that I hope to share with you! I love Lockhart stamps, but get easily intimidated with the idea of coloring these little gems. So I thought a basic step by step of how to color one of these images with Copics, might be something that would help others feel less intimidated too. And I am also going to be sharing the technique of putting a crackle finish onto the image that will give it some shape so we can make it into a lapel pin. Loads to do so let's get to it!
This is what the finished pin looks like, it is pinned to my dark brown sweater so it would have plenty of contrast to show of the details.
First we will start out with a white #8 tag and then stamp the Hydrangea Lockhart image with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.
There is a learning curve in here with the ink that I used, it worked well until I used the blender pen, and when we get there I will point out why. So my experience is that it is a workable ink if you don't plan on doing a lot of blending. The ink that Ellen recommends is Memento, I didn't have that so decided to give the Distress ink a try. It is fun to experiment and by trying different things you can often come up with interesting discoveries.
My first decision in tackling this sweet image was to start with the lightest color I wanted to introduce be the first that I put down, I colored the hydrangeas and the berries with BV00.
The next color I added was BV04, which is deliciously named "Blue Berry"! I just lightly touched the point into each of the little berries, don't worry about filling it in, we will be going back for refining touches in a bit. If you will notice, I have a little color swatch going off on the side of the project to make sure that the color I am adding will work with what is already down.
For the lightest color layer in the leaves I used G21.
I then added a second layer to the hydrangea with V12 in a few of the random flower shapes. You can click on any of the images to see them larger if you would like more detail.
Now with the V17 I dabbed some brighter purple to create some dimension.
Now go back over the hydrangeas with BV00 to smooth out the color layers that were just added, this is when you will also go back over the berries to do the same.
Next I used W3 to build a nice warm shadow on the edge of the flower can and the label as well.
This is where I used the Colorless Blender to soften the edges of the W3 into the tag. If you take a close look you will see where the distress ink started to degrade on the edge of the label. At this point I figured that was an acceptable flaw given that I would be crackling and aging the image enough that it wouldn't be an obvious issue in the finished project.
I wanted to make the container look like one of the old ceramic milk containers, so I used B45 for the strip and label.
Next I put YG67 which is a little bit darker green than the previous layer, and gave the leaves a small dab for some low lights.
I then used the G21 to smooth out and better integrate the color layers in the leaves.
For the last touch, I thought that the blue felt just a little too bright so I went back over it with the W3 to warm it up so it better fit the feel of the rest of the container.
Yay, we are done coloring! Hopefully if you are not very comfortable coloring with Copics yet, this little process will help make it fun and feel bite size so it isn't intimidating!
The next part is so fun! I really wanted this project to end up as a lapel pin, so getting it into a state where it had some body and could withstand a reasonable amount of handling was the next problem to solve. The solution that came to mind is using clear embossing powder in multiple layers to create a lovely glass look.
To start you will need Clear Embossing Powder, Embossing Ink, the Heat It tool and the Craft Sheet.
Start by applying a layer of the embossing ink directly on the area of the image.
Then sprinkle the clear embossing powder over it and then gently shake the excess back into the container.
Melt with the Heat It tool.
Repeat these steps at least 5 times, even more if you want it thicker and sturdier.
It is so pretty and smooth, and has a great look just like this, but I want it to look like an heirloom piece so we are going to take it a few steps further.
When you have gotten to the point where you are happy with the thickness, trim the image to the final size you wish it to be. Then stick it in the freezer for a few minutes. When it is frozen take it out of the freezer and gently bend the edges on each side to create small crackles in the finish. It is still smooth feeling and won't fall apart, it just looks like it has been around awhile.
Now using a small piece of Cut N' Dry foam, gently apply Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink over the whole image. This will work a little bit of the ink into the cracks that we just created.
When you are done with that, apply 1/8" Scor-Tape to the edges.
Adhere Prima Nikki Lace to the adhesive by removing the protective paper from the tape as you move the lace around the edge.
When you have that done adhere a Perfect Pin to the back and call it good!
I thought it would be a wonderful card front piece so I made a simple card using a piece of paper from the Garden Variety 6" x 6" mini deck and stitched it onto a cream colored card base. To get it to stay in place just poke a couple of holes and then pin it on.
A stamp with a wonderful sentiment from the "Mother's Day Centers" set by Cornish Heritage Farms makes it a great gift for an important woman in your life. This has been a really fun project to make, and while it may look like it takes a lot of time, it really didn't. And if you have a few special people, it would be a snap to do a few at once.
Thanks so much for spending a little time with me!
B-
