I would like to begin tonight by thanking you for the comments you have left. With family "goings on" it is so very important to me that I take the time to spend with them and so I apologize that it seems to be getting later and later each day by the time I get my project posted. Your words have encouraged me to continue on my merry way and I enjoy the process of creating; it is so much fun figuring out what to make and what I will teach. Editing photos and writing it up --- not so much (LOL!) To know that you appreciate it does make a difference. So thank you for stopping in and sharing your support.
Do you recognize the pretty angel from yesterday's post? It was an amazing coincidence that when I was finalizing this tag I looked over to see the remaining angel facet from yesterday and it was the perfect final touch!
This next technique is one we learned at Ranger U. It is a variation of the technique shared by Tim on his tag today. Using a Juniper dabber (always select a light color dabber when doing this technique) I swiped the dabber from my craft mat on to the tag in a whispy type of way to immitate the look of fir trees.
Tip: When you use your dabber for the first time simply dab the color on to an adhesive backed label and punch out the circle. Place this atop the dabber cap and it will be easy to identify your colors in the future.
The next step is to use an ink blending tool and swirl dye ink onto the tag, again starting on your craft mat and swirling on to the tag. I began with Distress Bundled Sage and finished with Pine Needles.
Today I wanted to use a Hero Arts image so that I could share with you that we will be participating in the newest Catalog Debut starting in just a few days! I hope you will continue to join us as we have fun with their latest release!
I also wanted to select an image that would allow me to color it in using Copic markers. Copic markers are a fine art tool that can be utilized with watercolors and dried acrylics. The effect is REALLY interesting and I would like to encourage you to give this a try. The paint dabbers are an acrylic paint that when dried can be colored over. Distress inks are dye ink pads and Copic markers are perfectly compatible with water soluble materials.
I realize now that I am at home that I forgot to take a picture of the colors I used to color in my image. I will do my best to shoot that picture and add that information from work tomorrow.
To begin, stamp your key image first using Memento Tuxedo Black ink as shown above. Then add the remaining branches to fill in the space.
I also realized that I need to do a more thorough explanation of the mover and shaper dies. These are so much fun to work with because of the options they provide. If you want to have the basic shape of the die you simply place the small square into the center of the die as shown.
If you would like to have a shape then you place the shaped die into the position desired. As you can see I used the small square in the top die and a key hole in the bottom die.
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The small square has a magnetic sheet backing and helps you more easily remove your die cut shape after cutting. The keyhole is shown turned over as well. As you can see there are little magnets set into the die and these stick to the steel backing in the open space on the larger dies.
For today's project I cut out the styled labels from Craft-a-Board.
I determined that rather than having a shabby look which the distress crackle paint provides I wanted a more pearlized, elegant look. This is also a technique that I learned at Ranger U and I believe that it can only be accomplished with the Pearl Dabber. One of the cool things about the metallic dabbers (and the Pearl is considered a metallic) is that you can have a couple of different looks to the finished piece. The top piece shows a smoother finish. This is obtained by first dabbing the Craft-a-board with the paint and then smoothing it down by swiping it. If dabbed and left alone the final result is a more speckled or bumpy look as shown in the bottom piece.
I ended up making the top piece a little more textured than what it appears in the picture above for my final piece by simply reworking it.
Once again I used alcohol ink to colorize this pearlescent piece. This time I used the more traditional method of applying alcohol ink to the felt applicator beginning with my dominant color YG63 Various Ink Refill. Each Various Ink container comes with a nozzle that looks similar to an applicator. Simply squeeze one drop from the bottle and then move to the next spot and squeeze another drop until it looks similar to the photo above.
I am showing the ink drop application in steps so that you can get a better idea of the coverage and amount of ink I applied with each new color. Next was color BG72.
The final and darkest color to be added was BG75. I utilized the least of this color so that it would not become dominant.
To add even greater sparkle and depth I added one drop of Silver Metallic Mixatif. It is always important to use Metallic Mixatif in VERY small quantities so that it does not over power. As you will see one drop was plenty.
Dab the applicator over the entire piece.
Now go back and add a generous amount of Blender Fluid to the applicator felt and go back over the entire piece again.
As you can see the final result is STUNNING!
Another way to enamel metallic products such as the foliage is to press the foliage into the Distress Embossing ink pad.
Then dip it into the Stream embossing powder. By holding the flower with the teflon tweezers pressed open you can heat set the embossing powder and bring it to the perfect enamel finish. The embossing powder will then easily come off the tweezers.
For the brad I wanted to try the technique that Tim shared today. I inked the end of the brad with the Pearl dabber and then dipped it into Pearl UTEE and heat set it. Dipped it again while still hot and wet and heat set again. All I can say is WOW, so cool!
The leaf foliage was colorized by simply dabbing it with the Pearl dabber and allowing it to dry. Use the crafters pick to punch a hole to insert the brad and affix the foliage.
A few more pearls, gemstones, ribbon and baubles and my tag was completed. I must say that I am absolutely in love with this color scheme and would love to have a tree decorated in these colors!
I hope that you enjoy these fun techniques and are able to put them to good use in some of your upcoming projects!
stamps: Hero Arts ClearDesign Magic of Christmas and Get Merry
ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Bundled Sage and Pine Needles; Copic Various Ink Refills - YG63, BG72, BG75
paper: Memory Box Tinsel, Craft-a-Board, Neenah Solar White
accessories: Tim Holtz Tag and Bookplates, Styled Labels, and Keyhole Dies, Silver Metallic Mixatif, Baubles, Facet, Foliage; Bliss Pearls, Sparkling Diamond Jewels, Pearl Dabber, Antique Silver Reinforcer, White Silk Ribbon, Silver Organdy Ribbon
It has been so much fun reading about how you found us - thank you for sharing as I am always curious about where you come from and how you find us! Kim C congratulations you are the winner of the Grunge Flakes stamp set and the Facets. If you haven't heard from us shortly please email us at customerservice@ellenhutson.com with your snail mail address so that we can get you your new goodies.
This time round we are giving away one of Tim's latest dies - the pine tree!
Simply leave a comment below to be included in our next random drawing. You have until tomorrow evening as I write my post to enter. You can post a comment each day on the current post for a chance to win those days goodies, so be certain to stay tuned for another 7 days :-D
Thank you for sharing in the festivities here in the CLASSroom!
