Experimentation is one of the best aspects of papercrafting, I think. Here's what one recent experiment turned up -- a Copic Double-Embossed Background:
To achieve this look, DRY EMBOSS a piece of Neenah Solar White Cardstock with an embossing folder -- I used Lifestyle Crafts Floral Embossing Folder (and wouldn't you know it -- I didn't check to see if this particular one was in stock before creating my card and it's currently not available! But Ellen has a SLEW of other embossing folders to choose from, HERE):
Next, HEAT EMBOSS the background by gently swiping a Versamark ink pad or Ranger Distress Embossing Pad over the top of the raised dry embossed background.
TIP: Using a freshly inked emboss pad will achieve different results. My older pad was definitely in need of reinking and I was having to press too hard to get the ink applied to the raised dry embossing. Thus, more ink got into the crevices and flat base of the cardstock than I intended/wanted, so you may achieve different results! I will definitely be ordering a Versamark Reinker and trying this technique again soon!
Next, use Clear Embossing Powder and Heat It Craft Tool to heat emboss the background, then have fun by using your Copic Airbrush System and a few Copic Sketch Markers (I used BG53, RV55, and YG03) to airbrush the background:
Then take an alcohol prep pad (alternately, you could use Copic Colorless Blender Various Ink on a tissue or paper towel) and gently wipe off the surface of the raised embossing until you achieve results you like. The Copic ink will easily wipe off the slick surface of the heat embossing, but still remain on parts of the cardstock that were not heat embossed (or use a lighter touch and only remove Copic ink from the raised areas)!
This is where I wished the flat areas of my background had not picked up as much emboss ink as it did, but that's okay -- I like the softer pastel results I got!
To finish my card, I used Copic's High-Tack Tissue Tape to securely attach the background to my black card base and here's why: a large area of heat embossing will usually warp cardstock (even though I heated the background from the underside, to try and help counter react some of the warping) and the high-tack tape works very well to keep the background flat against the card base.
Next, I used Maya Road's Vintage White Paper Roses and airbrushed them to match my card . . . I love that all the colors perfectly coordinate!
Lastly, I stamped a Hero Arts Everyday Sayings sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto more Neenah white cardstock and die cut it with these pretty Sizzix Framelits Fancy Labels dies. While the cardstock was still in the die, I airbrushed my lightest pink Copic RV52 around the edges of the sentiment.
I popped the sentiment frame up with Copic's X-Press It Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape over another black die cut frame. Black Baker's Twine finishes off my card. Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom today! ~ Sharon
Stamps: Hero Arts Clear-Everyday Sayings;
Dies & Embossing Folders: Lifestyle Crafts Floral Embossing Folder; Sizzix Framelits-Fancy Labelsdies;
Paper: Memory Box Notecard-Licorice; Neenah Solar White Cardstock;
Ink: Tsukineko Versamark ink pad & Memento-Tuxedo Black;
Copic Sketch Markers: BG53, RV52, RV55, YG03
Copic Airbrush System & Windstorm Sparmax Air Compressor;
Accessories: Ranger Clear Embossing Powder & Heat It Craft Tool; Sew Easy Baker's Twine-Black; Maya Road Vintage White Paper Roses; X-Press It Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape & High-Tack Tissue Tape;
Other: Alcohol prep pad or Copic Colorless Blender Various Ink;
