Stenciling with Mica Powders

Hi everyone.  This month we are Stenciling with Mica Powders.  You can use any mica powdered inks for this technique.

There are two types of mica powdered inks:

1. One with a binding agent - adhesive included in the powders (Perfect Pearls, Mica Minerals, etc.)
2. One without a binding agent - adhesive needs to be added (Arteza, Pearl-Ex, etc.)

Listed below are instructions on how to add mica powders for both types.

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!

Mica Powders with Binding Agent

Video:   For Mica Powder with binding agent:  Stenciling with Mica Powders by GiogioCraft (1:29)

Supplies: (for Mica Powders with binding agent:  Perfect Pearls, Lavinia Mica Minerals, etc.)

• Mica Powders such Perfect Pearls
• Versamark (or other clear ink)
• Soft brush for Mica Powders (small detail brushes work well for smaller areas so you don't need to mask)
• Card stock (light or dark).  (Dark card looks best with Mica Powders.)
• Stencil
• Swiffer cloth or large brush
• Water mister

Technique Instructions - with binding agent (Perfect Pearls, etc.)

• Place stencil over top of card stock, add tape to secure to work surface
• Press Versamark (or other clear ink) over stencil
• Optional:  Remove stencil and clean; place cleaned stencil back over top of image, lining up carefully.  This will contain the powders and usually means less cleanup afterwards ... OR ... mask areas and brush on one colour of mica powders at and time; remove masks and repeat until all areas of the stencil are covered (this works well if you have a lot of small areas in your stencil design).
• Use soft brush and mica powders (with binding agent) to brush over image (small detail brushes work well from smaller areas so you don't need to mask).  Clean brush between colours by brushing onto paper towel.
• Remove stencil and tap card stock on work surface to remove excess powder
• Lightly brush with a piece of swiffer cloth or large brush, to remove any excess powders that remain
• Lightly spritz with water and let dry before finishing your card

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Mica Powders without Binding Agent

Video:  For Mica Powders without binding agent:  Stenciling with Mica Powders by Michelle Short (15:10)

Michelle uses Essential Glue Pad.  You can also use Versamark and sticky embossing powder (Sticky Powder from Ranger; or Heat & Stick from SU!; or any other brand of sticky embossing powder).

We recommend Sticky Powder (Ranger).

Supplies:  (for Mica Powders without binding agent:  Pearl-Ex; Arteza; DreamWeavers Metallic F\X; LuminArte Mica Powders, etc. )

• Mica Powders such as Pearl-Ex 
• Versamark (or other clear ink) with Sticky Embossing Powder (Ranger) or Heat & Stick powder (SU!) ... OR ... **Essential Glue Pad
• Soft brush for Mica Powders (small detail brushes work well for smaller areas so you don't need to mask)
• Card stock (light or dark).  (Dark card looks best with Mica Powders.)
• Stencil
• Heat Tool
• Swiffer cloth or large brush

**  Essential Glue Pad can be found at these stores:  Ecstasy Crafts (Cda); Simon Says Stamp (US)

Technique Instructions - without binding agent (Pearl-Ex, Arteza, etc.)

• Place stencil over top of card stock, add tape to secure to work surface
• Press Versamark (or other clear ink) over stencil; remove stencil; then sprinkle card panel with Sticky Embossing Powder or Heat & Stick; use heat tool to melt powder
• Wash stencil and dry; then place back over card stock, lining up the image; tape to secure
• Use soft brush and mica powders to brush over image (small detail brushes work well from smaller areas so you don't need to mask). Clean brush between colours by brushing onto paper towel.
• Optional:  mask areas and brush on one colour of mica powders at and time; remove masks and repeat until all areas of the stencil are covered.
• Remove stencil and tap card stock on work surface to remove excess powder
• Heat image for just a few seconds to set the mica powders into the sticky powder - very important - let cool
• Wipe with a piece of swiffer cloth to remove any excess powders that remain.

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

Stenciling with Mica Powders Card Samples

Robyn (Waterlily Cards)

Guest Designer

Loll

     

Susan

  

Pat

Christine

  

* * * * *

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

technique and sample cards.

See you then!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Textured Tissue Paper with Dry Embossing

Hi everyone.  Today we are combining four techniques (watercolouring, sponging, dry embossing, brayering) to create beautiful and unique cards.

It all starts by adding texture to our card fronts using thick or wet strength tissue paper.  Below is a video on how to watercolour tissue paper if you want to give it a try.  Only need to watch the first 3 1/2 minutes for how-to and tips.

Video:  Tissue Paper Watercolouring & Techniques by Loll Thompson (10:24) - watch first 3:30 mins. on how-to

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!!

Supplies:

• White card stock
• White tissue paper (thick or wet strength tissue paper) ***
• Glue (Elmers or something similar)
• Sponge or sponge brush to spread glue
• Inks (2 or 3 colours work best)
• Sponges
• Detailed Embossing folder (3D are best, but regular efs work too!)
• Brayer
• Metallic acrylic paint (acrylic paint shows more contrast than alternatives)

*** Here is a link to craft tissue paper on Amazon (Canada); (US); (UK).  We have not tried this paper because we had thick tissue to use already in our supplies.  We believe this paper will work great for this technique.

Technique Instructions: (with Tips)

1.    Watercolour tissue paper (let dry); then glue onto white card front (let dry)

        - Tips:  

        - Use thick or wet stength tissue paper (available in some craft stores or through Amazon)

        - Use 2-3 colours of ink to watercolour tissue, follow video instructions

        - Takes approx. 20 minutes to dry watercolour tissue

        - Use everyday glue (ex. Elmers) to glue tissue to white card.

        - If you want more texture, scrunch the tissue paper then smooth out before gluing to white card ...

          or scrunch it as you glue it to your card front

2.    Sponge your tissue mounted card with same colours of inks used to watercolour.

        This adds layers of colour with increases the vibrancy to your colours.

       

3.    Dry emboss with 3D detail folder

        - Tip:  3D Embossing Folders work best - the more detailed, the better.  The less detailed the

            folder, the more risk of getting the brayered metallic paint (step below) on the background of

            your piece.

            ... but ... regular embossing folders will work for this (see Loll's blue and purple card below)

        - Tip:  Avoid the newer 3D embossing folders with layers within the design.  The brayer

            will only catch the design on top.

4.    Brayer LIGHTLY with metallic, acrylic paint to catch highlight of embossing

        - Tips:  Brayer LIGHTLY to minimize paint getting on background

        - Do several LIGHT coats from different angles

        - Use small paintbrush and more metallic paint to fill in raised areas missed by the brayer

Alternatives:

• If you don't have a brayer, try lightly tapping your ink pad directly onto your embossed image.  Tap very lightly and several times to build colour.  Ink will not create as much contrast as acrylic paint, but it will add to the card's design.

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

Textured Tissue Paper with Dry Embossing Card Samples

Loll

Susan

 

Christine

Pat

We'll be back on the 28th of November

with another technique and sample cards.

See you then!

* * * * *

Sharing ...

  

Vicki                                                   Loll                                               Loll

  

Julie B                                    Robyn O                               JoAnn B.

Inlaid Die-cutting

Hi everyone.  This month's technique at Group of Cardmakers is Inaid Die-cutting.

This is were a die is cut from two (or more) different pieces of card.  Pieces are removed from both die-cuts creating an aperture on your card front.  You need to add an ahesive backing to the apertures.  Packing tape works really well, but you can also use a card backing and glue to adhere, or card backing with double-sided stick sheet, etc. Then the pieces from one die-cut are adhered back into place from the other die-cut.  This creates a lovely card that is flat and easy to mail.  It's fun and easy to do, but also can be time consuming if you pick a very intricate die which has lots of little pieces.  Just something to keep in mind. :)

You can also make a "Twofer" by paper piecing the remaining over pieces into the other aperture.

Videos:

Inlaid Paper Backgrounds by Cathy Zielske (7:52)

Inlaid Die-cutting with Dimension - 2-for1 Cards by Charlene Madrid (10:30)

Die-cutting Hack for Intricate Dies by Anna Helman (6:56)

Supplies:

• Dies
• Adhesives (your choice:  packing tape, glue, double-sided adhesive sheets)
• Card front
• Coloured or textured card for die-cutting inlay pieces

Technique Instructions:

• Die-cut image twice (once from card front; once from coloured or textured card)
• Add card backing to your card front with adhesive in-between (glue or double-sided adhesive sheets).  Or add packing tape of the aperture on the back of your card front
• Inlay pieces into the aperture
• Finish card

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

Inlaid Die-cutting Card Samples

Christine

Loll

 

Susan

Pat

* * * * *

Sharing ...

     

Robyn O                                          Robyn O                                      Silke

 
Robyn O                                     Robyn O
 

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

technique and sample cards.

See you then!