Something Saturday - Heat embossing with stencils

 Hi there Creators

today I thought I'd have a play around to see what it would look like to heat emboss using stencils or masks (in this case the Artistic Mix Decorative Masks)  I love the tartan look you can get with these ones, and I said to Tom (hubby) I think I made the perfect card for a Scottish Essendon Supporter 🤣 (you'll see....)

I wanted to try out both lots of the embossing powders and as they come in packs of 3 colours it kind of worked (bearing in mind I used clear last week).  In with the "Basics Embossing Powders" you have Black, White and Clear.  Then in with the "Metallics Embossing Powders" there are Gold, Silver and Copper

the first card I made up used the Metallics, here it is, it's kind of cool that you can heat emboss over top of heat embossing.  With this card I did the big silver squares first then the small gold squares & lines.  heat embossing always looks classy (especially the metallics)  I've used the Limited Edition stamp set to create these cards, and I love this saying:

 
 Then I moved onto the black & white embossing powders, and figured that to make them stand out I'd need a colour underneath (hence I picked Real Red)  this is how it started, I pressed versamark through the small checkered stencil onto the red card, peeled off the stencil then dusted over with white and heat set it, it actually looks pretty good just like this!

then I added the larger squares mask and added black embossing powder to this first one, then I couldn't resist seeing how it would turn out the other way round (black then white), interesting how they are totally different! (you wouldn't get this effect in the same way from ink alone)

 Anyway then I made them up into cards..... (see what I mean about the Scottish Essendon Supporter?)

This first one I made up into a similar card to the first Metallics card, with a piece of ribbon across the bottom and saying in the middle stamped onto vellum.

Then this card I made up into one of those book bind cards (I think that's what they're called!) and finally used one of the cool Enamel Sticker Icons with the saying

And that's it!

If you missed the video here it is:

 

 I hope this inspires you to have a go too

God Bless love

Heather xox

Class Cards for April

 Hi There Creators

My classes in April are marginally disrupted with Easter, the Maryborough Class has moved forwards to 1st as otherwise we'd be meeting on Easter Saturday, which might not be the best move!

So with that in mind, the first class is Sat 1st at 10.30am in Maryborough, then  Wednesday 5th 10.30am in Laanecoorie, and Thursday 6th 7pm in Laanecoorie  $20 for 4 cards, and here are the cards:

I have finally broken into the Flat Adhesive Backed Pearls - it's one of those embellishments I just can't help but look at and admire how beautiful they are 🤣 you know the sort that you don't want to use, you just want to admire?  Anyway I liked the idea of having a couple spilling out of the bottle with gilded leafing.  I've used the Heron Habitat Bundle for the stamped (and die cut) bits, a bit of the By the Bay Designer Paper, and the Jar Punch to finish it off

Next card uses one of the new "Online Exclusive" products this is Irresistible Blooms Stamp set, teamed up with the Essential Tag Punch and Black & White Gingham Ribbon

This next card also uses new "Online Exclusive" goodies, in the form of 2 embossing folders, it's actually a pack of 3 called Basics Embossing Folders, so potentially it's up to you which ones you choose for your card.

And last but not least, I may have got carried away with the online exclusive goodies!  here we have the beautiful Hello Irresistible Designer paper, so pretty!  plus one of the dies from the Delicate Edges Dies.

Do book your place and join us for the class, look forward to seeing you

I hope these inspire you to create.

God Bless love

Heather xox

Something Saturday - Watercolouring Part 2: Watercolour Lifting

 Hi there Creators,

Well today I've continued on with the watercoloured pieces I produced last Saturday and now I'm showing off "Watercolour Lifting"  I don't recall trying this before, but the basic jist of it is:

1. Create a watercoloured background and let dry completely
   
2. Stamp over top using versamark
3. dust over with clear embossing powder & heat set it
4. spray water over and blot off to remove some of the colour, until the clear embossed images stand out (the colour under the embossed image will remain "full strength")

And that's it in a nutshell, here are the 2 cards I created using the watercoloured backgrounds I created last week: 

This first one uses Natures Prints Stamps to create the collage of leaves in the background, then I've used the Celebrating You stamps for the sayings in both cards, then this one I also used the gorgeous Iridescent Pastel Pearls (very pretty!)

 

Then this is the one I made up in the video, and I finally found a use for the Loose Daisy Embellishments! I've used Eden's Garden Stamps for it, I'm not sure the big stamp was really the best to use as the DistInkTive Stamp surface doesn't really work hence it kind of has a big blob in the centre (and hence I put 3 daisies in there 🤣)  As I say in Class - there's always a way to correct things with a card!   and in this case a definite embellishment opportunity 😉

In case you missed the video, here it is:

Let me know if you have a go at this, I'd love to see how yours turns out!

I hope this inspires you to create.

God Bless love

Heather

Something Saturday - Watercolouring a background

 Hi there Creators,

Well, if you're anything like me watercolouring is a challenge, that usually ends up as a bit of a muddy mess, however after a bit of experimentation I've come up with these:  I'm not sure the colours look quite as vibrant on here as they are in person, but suffice it to say, Wow I impressed myself 🤣

Somehow my husband saw a puppy dog with a Santa hat on in this one, above, when I gave it to him to look at.... umm ok (should I be worried lol)  then I explained that no, they're not those weird things psychiatrists give you to see just how nutty you are.....

Anyway to do this (in a nutshell)  I taped the watercolour paper down to a heat proof tray using washi tape, sprayed heaps of water onto it, then dipped my water painter into various ink  colours and allowed it to drip onto the water laden paper (I used the brights re-inkers), then I used my heat tool to dry it off.

Here's the video if you want to check it out: 

Oh and come back next week to see what I actually do with these (hopefully my plan works....)

I hope this inspires you to have a go too.

God Bless love

Heather xox

Something Saturday - Stamp care and a random stamping technique

 Hi there Creators,

Today I talked a little about keeping your stamps in tip top condition.  Whilst I love my Stampin' Shammy for quickly cleaning my stamps, I have noticed that after a while the stamps start to look a little jaded, and when you think that you've invested $30+ into a stamp set you probably want to keep it in good condition!  Enter the Stampin' Scrub, which has mats on it, one you spray with the special Stampin' Mist cleaner spray, rub your stamps vigorously over it, then the other side you dry off your stamps with.  The special spray helps your stamps to be nicely conditioned, and the mats reach in deep into all the crevices of your stamp.  The photopolymer stamps don't feel quite so sticky after cleaning this way and the red rubber looks more conditioned!  I think you can see a difference 😊

Then I moved onto a random stamping technique that often we do accidentally, but this time I've made it deliberate.  The general gist is to ink up your stamp, then stamp off a portion of the stamp on raised scrap paper, so it gives you a straight line through it, I've stamped off on 2 sides of these to create sayings that end up with a really cool effect on them.

As you can see the sayings (from Biggest Wish Stamp set) end up with stripes going through them.  This first one I've coloured some of the white crinkled seam binding ribbon using a blending brush to brush the Pacific Point colour onto it and as the edges of the card felt a little blank I've stamped "Birthday" going down the sides, I kind of like the effect! then a bit of bling, the Brushed Metallic Dots.  Oh and I used the Essential Tag punch just to add a bit of interest, with the pieces punched out then added back in, but up on dimensionals

Then this one I left the sheet intact, and did the side bit a little more deliberately (I did notice the sides on the blue card aren't quite straight 🤣 I've added in a bit of the gorgeous Metallic woven ribbon in the Orchid Oasis to match the ink.  Oh and some of the pretty Iridescent Pearl basic jewels

So this is how I did the side piece this time, a bit of scrap paper to mask off where I don't want it, then I could stamp to my hearts content, and know it's straight!

And Voila.....a kind of cool looking edge!

If you missed the video, here it is.....

 Let me know if you have a go, and how it turns out!

I hope this inspires you to have a go too.

God Bless love

Heather xox