**Projects of the Month**
Welcome to the projects of the month - at the monthly stamping groups I undertake a different technique each month and I shall include those details here!
Block Highlighting
This technique is predominantly used in the "Arty" style of work, however applied to any works looks great and adds a unique quality. You can buy actual block stamps that are purely blocks of smooth rubber, or you can use what is around the house - like the good old household Eraser or Rubber. You can use paints, pigment inks or dye inks to ink up your blocks. reinking every application or inking once, stamping and then reapplying for a fainter look. Different sized rubbers used on the same application also look wonderful. This technique was very prominent at SDU 2001 and looked fabulous in almost any colour that was used. My favourite application is with lumiere paints they are very vibrant paints and have a high metallic sheen. this is the type of technique to experiment with so dont limit yourself to "exact" placement, Go off the page - just for something different!!!!!
Pocket Momento Card
These are a wonderful booklet to give as a present and card all in one - we undertook these at one of my groups and all were very pleased with the outcome, and what's more they are sooooo easy!
You Will Need:
2 x pieces Card 7cm x 11cm
1 piece of A4 lightweight paper(I used Photocopy paper inthis particular example)
1 piece of card 6.5 x 7.5cm for stamped image
1 small piece of mulberry or fibrous paper for background
Gold embroidery thread
Gold marvy metallic pen
Selected stamps
tape or glue
Stamp selected image onto card approx 6.5 x 7.5cm, decorate and sponge edges with gold marvy metallics to give an aged look. I coloured this image in with metallic paints. Wrap with embroidery thread and edge card with marvy metallic pen to finish off.
Cut 2 x base cards 7 x 11cm edge both with gold marvy pen, feather mulberry or fibrous paper and mount onto one of the cut cards, then mount previously decorated image. youu have now completed the external part of the card.
Now take copy paper and cut a piece 28cm x 10.5cm, divide into 4 sections each measuring 7cm each. Score the first fold as a valley fold, the next as a mountain and the final fold as a valley. you will now have an accordian looking piece of paper. decorate as desired, using each panel as a continous story line or theme. you can sponge the edges with the marvy pen to fololow suit with the front of the card. you may like to place a photo on one of the panels, a poem of quotation. or just stamp ALL over the place...whatever your heart desires!!!!.
Satin Stamping
Yes, you can stamp onto these fabrics and create some unbelievable results - giving your creations elegance and style. Any satin can be used and embossed. Simply stamp on the Satin, being careful not to slip or slide, sprinkle emboss powder and heat - When heating take care that you don’t get too close and scorch your fabric. As Satin frays it is an idea to mount it on a piece of cardboard or in a window style card so that the edges can be glued down and out of sight. Mounting onto JAC paper (Double sided sticky paper) can also reduce the fraying. Dye inks can also be used without embossing and still maintain a fabulous look.
Glitter & Lace
For something totally different and to add a WOW factor to your backgrounds here is a technique using scrap lace pieces, double sided JAC paper and glitter.
Take the JAC paper(A double sided sticky paper) uncover one side of the sticky and place onto card base. Remove the top layer of the JAC paper and lay your selected lace onto the paper. Lace with a reasonably open pattern works best. Sprinkle glitter all over the lace and JAC paper using a spoon to squash in the glitter. Once covered, carefully remove the lace, now add a contrasting colour of glitter to the JAC paper and this will stick on the area that the lace was, leaving the lace imprint in glitter. Tada!
Candle Stamping
This is a nice way to create and highlite the table centre piece of the Christmas Dinner Table. You will need a large Candle, preferably square and fat as it is easier to stamp into a flat surface. Heat the surface of the candle with your heat gun, while wet and hot stamp you image into the wax, leaving until the wax has cooled, then remove. Once cooled use rub n buff or metallic rub on to rub over image and the rest of the candle for a metallic look. Decorate with studs and glitter , place in a wreath and sit on your Xmas Dinner table.
Another way to add stamped images to your candles is to Stamp onto white mulberry paper, colour the image with Watercolour pens as you like - cut the image out and then heat onto the candle. I suggest that you start to heat the candle slightly then place the image onto the candle and continue to heat until the wax has penetrated the image and the mulberry actually becomes clear. This will only take a few seconds so work quickly and DONT burn your fingers!
VELLUM STAMPING
Vellum or parchement is a semi clear paper that gives great effects for your cards, used to create windows, add layers and makes flowers 3D. It is so versatile that I will only cover a few things here and leave you to experiment on your own. Take a sheet of Vellum and stamp and emboss your image, you can cut out a piece of your card and insert the vellum for a semi stained glass effect or pending the type of stamp you choose you can create a 3D flower look, Stamp Out and emboss two of the same Images on the vellum cut them out and place the first image on your card with super tape then raise the second image over the first using magic mount, this gives a raised image and the look of a flower with many petals - you have to see this to see how great it is, veryyy hard to explain in text.
Glazing Effect
This is a simple technique used to give your stamped images a unique and wonderful, glazed effect. It adds glamour while also highlighting any areas that you may have coloured using embossing pens. You could say this is the cheats way to get a semi UTEE effect without using the Utee!
# First Stamp and emboss your chosen image, usually one that has a good area for colour.
# Coloured the required areas using embossing pens and cover with clear embossing powder and heat.
# While the powder is still warm - immediately add more clear powder and reheat.
# Continue this process until you have the level of glazing that you like. Two or three levels should be enough, although you can keep going if you choose to !
# The image will show through the coloured sections and look like a glass effect - it is a really nice finish to your work and will add that something special you are often looking for.
Window Panes
An amazingly effective technique to give your cards a very unique quality.
# Stamp an image on cardstock. Choose a medium to large stamp as very small stamps just won’t do for this project.
# Emboss, colour, glaze, do whatever you like to embellish your image - or just leave it plainly embossed
# Measure the image in four sections - in other words make a cross in faint pencil across the image and cut it into four pieces.
# Then mount the pieces on complimentary coloured card aligning the pieces so that there is about a 3mm gap. Mount using magic mount for a raised effect or dbl sided tape for a flat look.
# Once mounted, the image has a window pane look whilst giving your card a great appeal.
TA DA!!!!
MORE PROJECTS COMING SOON