Embossing Paste - Product Focus

Hi everyone.  This month we are showcasing Embossing Pastes (opaque) as our Product Focus.  We are covering:  types of pastes; how to secure your stencil; how much paste to add; customing your pastes with Colour and/or Texture.  Embossing Gels (transparent) will be covered separately at a later date.

Types of Pastes: (Opaque - doesn't show what is underneath)

• White Pastes
• Coloured Pastes
• Black Paste (Black Gesso is a great alternative if you already have it)
• Metallic Pastes

Specialty Pastes:

• Glitter Pastes: Spectrum Noir (JA - USA); Cosmic Shimmer (SSS - USA)
• Crackle Paste (Opus - Cda) : Crackle Paste (JA - USA); (Blick - USA)
• Fiber Paste (Opus - Cda) : Fiber Paste (JA - USA); (Blick - USA)

Canada:

Opus Art Supplies

USA:

Blick - Blick Art Materials

JA - Jerry's Artarama

SSS - Simon Says Stamp

To save money and also have less pastes to store (which do dry up over time), avoid buying coloured pastes.  Instead buy white paste and colour with re-inkers, powdered inks, acrylic paints or other water soluble colouring mediums.

You can also customize your paste by adding texture (glitter, micobeads, fibres, etc.)

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Supplies for Stenciling with Pastes: (with links to products)

• Card stock
• Stencil
• Painter's tape or Removable Tape
• Palette knife or Stencil Pal (recommended), but you can use any utensil that will spread your paste
• Paste

Place card stock on your work surface.  You may want to add a piece of scratch paper underneath that is larger than stencil to catch any paste that goes off the edge.

Place stencil over card stock, secure with tape to hold it in place while you work.

Use your palette knife, Stencil Pal, or utensil to pick up a fair size of paste.  Start at the top and swipe your paste over the stencil, adding a thick layer.  Smooth the surface, but try not to go over it too many times.

Use your palette knife, Stencil Pal, or item at about 45 degree angle to gently scrape off excess paste.  Try not to go over the same area many times.  If the paste being removed is clean, place it back into your jar to use again later.  Repeat until you have gone over the whole stencil. 

When you are happy with the look, remove tape and gently lift stencil.  Wash your stencil and utensils right away, or temporarily place in a container of water so they are submerged; clean later.

Let the stenciled paste dry thoroughly before finishing your card.

Alternatives:

• Add Colour:  Place an amount of paste on your work surface and add colour (re-inkers, powdered inks, acrylic paint, or any water soluable medium).  Use your palette knife to mix thoroughly together so there are no streaks of white and you've achieved the colour you want.  Apply the coloured paste over your stencil and follow the instructions above on how to apply and remove the stencil.  Make sure to keep the leftover coloured paste in a separate container ... or dispose.  Let dry thoroughly before making your card.
• Add Texture:  Place an amount of paste on your work surface and add texture (glitter, micro beads, etc.).  Use your palette knife to mix thoroughly together.  Follow the instructions above on how to apply and remove the stencil.  Let dry thoroughly before making your card.
• Add Freehand Paste:  Use a palette knife or something similar to pick up paste and add in strokes to your card front.  You can add clouds, snowhills, etc.  Use the palette knife to create a pattern or random design.
• Sponging Paste:  Try using a sponge to add paste over your stencil for a different look. Or use a sponge to add texture to your wet paste.
• Add Heat Embossing:  after removing the stencil, sprinkle your wet paste with embossing powder; shake off excess.  1)  Let dry thoroughly and heat set the embossing powder; 2) heat set the powder before the paste is dry.  The moisture in the wet paste will bubble and create a unique look.

  We hope you'll be inspired to give it a try for yourself.

If you do make cards using Embossing Paste, please join us by adding to the linky at the bottom of this post.  We'd love to see what you make!!

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.

Embossing Paste Card Samples

Julia

Susan

Christine

Brenda

Bonnie

Pat

Loll

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You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

We'll be back on the 28th of April with another

technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Floating Frames

Hi everyone.  This month we are working with the Floating Frames technique.  It is a technique where you stamp, colour, and die-cut several images and then arranged them over a card front, tacking them down temporarily.  Then you can die-cut a shape from the center (round, oval, square, etc.).  You now have two pieces to make into cards, 1) the shape you die-cut and; 2) the frame created.

There are a few ways to do this technique.  We hope you'll check out the videos below and give it a try ... or maybe you have your own way of doing this technique.  We'd love to hear from you and hope to see you in the gallery.

If you do make cards, please join us by adding to the linky at the bottom of this post.  We'd love to see what you make!

Different suggested ways to do the technique or try your own way!

Videos:  

Floating Die Cut Frame by Jennifer McQuire (13:36)

Floating Frames Version without Press 'N Seal by Natasha Foote (7:45)

Technique Instructions:

• Stamp and colour several medium to small images that have a matching die
• Die-cut images (or fussy-cut if you prefer).
• Arrange the images over top of a card front, letting some go over the edge.  Try to arrange so the images are fairly close together with only small gaps in-between.
• Add a piece of Press 'n Seal over top carefully and then pat with your hands so all the pieces (and the background card) are secure.
• Flip the image over and cut off all the excess.
• Optional:  Carefully remove the background card piece, leaving just the Press 'n Seal that is covered with die-cuts.  Note:  found it was easier to die-cut it all together with the back card
• Arrange a shaped die over top in the center of your image and run through your die-cutting machine.
• You will use both pieces to create two cards.
• Flip the image over to the back and add pop dots or foam tape over the images.  Remove the Press 'n Seal
• Add your images onto a card front.  Finish your cards.

Alternative instructions:

• You can do this technique without Press 'n Seal ...
• Pop up your coloured images onto a card front, letting some of the images go over the edge.  
• Hold the images in place with removable tape.
• Flip over and trim the back so the die-cuts are cut flush to the card front.
• Die-cut shape from the center of your card, creating the shape and a frame
• Make these pieces into cards.

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.

Floating Frames Card Samples

Julia

Loll

   Brenda

Bonnie

 

Susan

Christine

Pat

* * * * *

Sharing ...

Robyn O                                             Robyn O                                         Bunny Hoyle         

            Bunny Hoyle                                            Megan J                                             Megan J                         

Robyn O                                              Bobby                                                 Bobby

We'll be back on the 28th of March with another

technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Dry Embossed Highlights over Ink Blending

Hi everyone.  Today's card technique uses sponging, embossing folder and direct-to-paper with a stamp pad.  The possibilities are endless with all the amazing embossing folders available and the different colour combinations of ink.

If you do make cards, please join us by adding to the linky at the bottom of this post.  We'd love to see what you make!!

Different suggested ways to do the technique or try your own way!

Videos: 

Embossing Folder Fun by Jo Simons (16:33)

Another 3D Embossing Folder Technique by Jo Simons (15:39)

Supplies:

• Regular white card stock or whatever card you prefer for ink blending
• Inks (Distress Oxides work best for blending), 2-3 colours
• Sponges
• Optional:  Retangle stencil or masking tape
• Embossing Folder (3D folders work best)
• White Pigment ink (most brands will work well); OR light DOX inks against a dark background

Technique Instructions:

• Sponge card front with inks (you can do the whole thing or mask/stencil off border first)
• Let dry thoroughly or use heat tool to dry and set colours
• Emboss using an embossing folder - wipe ef clean afterwards
• Use White Pigment ink pad (or light Distress Oxide inks) to tap gently overtop of the dry embossed areas to highlight the textured areas of the design
• Let dry thoroughly before finishing your card
• Wipe ink pad with paper towel to remove any of the ink colours that transfer during tapping

Variations:

• Use coloured card stock or patterned paper instead of ink blending the background.

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.

Dry Embossed Highlights over Ink Blending Card Samples

Loll

 

 

Julia

Susan

  

Bonnie

Christine

Pat

 

* * * * *

    Sharing cards ...

Bonnie                                          Robyn O                                             Megan J

Bunny Hoyle                                          Bunny Hoyle                                     Bunny Hoyle

Hilary                                            Hilary                                                Hilary

Hilary                                                  Hilary                                            Darlene Pavlick

                               Robyn O                                           Robyn O 

We'll be back on the 28th of February with another

technique and sample cards.

See you then!