Create some BoHo Rooster MAGIC with the Embossing Resist Technique

One of the most satisfying aspects of stamping is the ability to create projects using a variety of techniques at different levels of complexity.  While my recent Boho Rooster project was done using very basic techniques, I went to a whole different level with this new project!  Using a technique I call "Embossing Resist",  I basically created a pattern using a solid silhouette stamp! It sounds complicated and looks complex but trust me, if you follow the steps outlined below, you will get the same (or equally) interesting results!

Again, I decided to use a sheet of printed text torn from an old book.  I love using printed text pages because the text is already there,...plus the paper is usually lightweight and perfect for easy ink absorption.

For this project I used Boho Mandala plus one of my new silhouette stamps from Impression Obsession -- Rooster 1.

I began by prepping my paper.  Using DTP (direct-to-paper) and sponging added color and grunge to the plain white background.  (I used Clearsnap Colorbox Archival Dye inkpads in various colors.) And since dye ink is transparent, the printed text shows right through. Another way to ink the paper is to use spray inks.  This technique does make the paper super wet which then has the potential to cause it to curl.  To keep curling at a minimum, I'll dry the paper immediately with a heat tool and then let it finish drying overnight with a heavy non porous weight (like a plastic box filled with inkpads or an old metal cookie tin) sitting on top. 

When the paper is completely dry, it's time to begin stamping.  I stamped my Boho Mandala off-the-edge an then repeated it again in the opposite corner. 

Now the fun part begins.  

To create the resist effect, I stamped my Rooster 1 in the center of the paper using clear embossing ink.  I then sprinkled clear embossing powder on top, shook off the excess and melted it with a heat tool.  The cool thing about embossing is it creates a resist to most water-based wet media.

I then sponged on additional ink around the image, making sure to use a high contrasting color.  

This technique can can be used in dozens of different ways and color/design combinations.  Sometimes it is fun to experiment and just take the opportunity to let your creative heart shine!

After a little hand tearing and layering, here is the finished project!  Beacon Adhesives Zip Dry Paper Adhesive makes the layering super easy to do.

Hummingbirds...and away we fly on a creative adventure!

As I tentatively embrace spring (which, in Chicagoland, has been mostly non-existent so far), I'm reminded that summer cannot be far off.  And the arrival of summer also includes the Impression Obsession SUMMER stamp release! Yay!  I have some SUPER fun new stamps and stamp sets launching with this release.......

So, in celebration of SPRING (hopefully...finally...we need spring...), I'll start this new blog series with my brand new Hummingbird stamp set!

This is SUCH a fun set, I couldn't wait to start playing with it...

But first I had to narrow down exactly what I wanted to make.  And, if you know me at all, you know I usually don't just do traditional.  Nope.  I usually try to find new ways to use materials or change up techniques so they have a new "spin".  So, yep...you guessed it!  I went renegade before I even opened the Hummingbird set packaging.  LOL!And away I flew on another creative adventure!

When I went to grab my Strathmore Bamboo notecards, I accidentally grabbed a stack of the coordinating envelopes instead. That's when the light bulb went on and I decided to try making a card out of.....an envelope.

Here's how:

After carefully opening up the envelope and trimming off edges with remnants of adhesive, I opening it up flat on my stamping table.  Then I stamped the hummingbird and lily cluster on the left panel, using Clearsnap Wicked Black Archival ink, as shown:

I continued stamping lily clusters and other floral elements from the set as shown:

Next I stamped another one of my new phrase stamps (Bird Sings)...inside the center panel of the card...

Next step was to color the images using a combination of Derwent watercolor pencils and markers. 

I loved the way the colors harmonized so well but...it just needed a finishing touch.  I wanted to keep it simple so I added a simple gold trim on the underside of the left panel and a simple pink cord along the edge on top .  Beacon's Fabri-tac Adhesive made it super easy!

This Hummingbird set can be used in SO many different ways...this is just one of them. 

Here is the finished project!!!

Mastering the Art of the Silhouette Stamp

Mastering the Art of the Silhouette Stamp

I LOVE the ease and simplicity of combining colorful backgrounds with silhouette stamps! There are SO many cool, inky techniques that can be used to create backgrounds.  And those backgrounds can really "pop" with a simple solid silhouette image (or images) stamped over them.

And then the mad stamping scientist in me wondered: "What would happen if the silhouette stamp image was also approached as we do the background?  What if I turn that solid silhouette into a colorful image with defined sections using both color and dimension?"

And just like that....a fun inky embossing technique was born!

As you can see, the stamp I used was a nicely detailed solid silhouette which makes a great statement when stamped in black ink over a multitude of backgrounds.  (This stamp is from an image I drew for Impression Obsession Rubber Stamps.)  However, adding color to the actual image, along with heat embossed dimension changes not only the entire look, but also the process.  Instead of overstamping the silhouette image onto a colorful background that has already been created, the background is actually created last with this technique.  

Here is how....

Lion Stroll Card

Supplies:

Impression Obsession Rubber Stamps: 

     J7950 Lions

     CC234 Bark

Clearsnap:

    Colorbox®️ Petal Point Classic Pigment Inkpad (Arboretum, Envy)

    Colorbox®️ Embossing Powder (Clear)

    Top Boss®️ Embossing Stamp pad

    Colorbox®️ Premium Dye ink pads: Banana, Tangerine, Guava, Grape, Blueberry

    Colorbox®️ Archival Dye ink pads: Mudslide, Seattle Sky

    Art Daubers

Beacon Adhesives:

    Zip Dry®️ Paper Glue

    Premium Tacky Glue

Heat tool

White, tan, black and decorative cardstock.

Yarn or ribbon trim

Instructions:

1. Place Lion stamp rubber side up. Remove desired color sections from the Petal Point inkpads. Using the tip of each section, apply ink directly to the Lions stamp, blending as desired.
2. Stamp the lions onto 4" x 6" white cardstock. Pour clear embossing powder over the image; tap off excess.  Heat until melted. 
3. Beginning in the center with Banana, use Art Daubers to apply Premium Dye ink. Use the remaining colors in the order in which they are listed to create a sunrise sky. Since the lions were heat embossed, that clear embossed layer acts as a resist mask so the dye ink only sticks to the area around the lion image.  
4. Apply Seattle Sky and Mudslide on the Bark stamp; stamp image onto a 5" x 7" tan notecard. 
5. Trim remaining cardstock; attach all the layers to card using Zip Dry®️ Paper Glue.

And then there was the surprise "Bonus" card.  

Since pigment ink remained on the Lion stamp after the initial stamping step, I wanted to first "stamp off" the ink before using my ink cleaner pad. Then I decided to experiment.  Instead of just using scrap paper, I decided to "stamp off" the image onto a piece of coated white cardstock.  While the resulting image is not the densely colored, crisp image we saw in the first card, the "stamp off" image had instead a softer, more ethereal look with an interesting painterly quality.  I then paired this stamped image with a soft background cardstock and wheat yarn trim (attached around the image using Premium Tacky Glue).  I love surprise inky techniques and am SO very pleased with this second "bonus" card!   

What do you think about these two fun looks using Silhouette stamps???!!!

Explore the Kaleidoscope Embossing Technique!

Explore the Kaleidoscope Embossing Technique! 

This easy inky technique will help you create realistic images that resemble a dimensional painting!

Same technique for both cards but the card below also includes the textured Baked Texture Embossing Powders...and different Impression Obsession stamps for a slightly different background.

Cats in a Row Cards

Supplies:

Impression Obsession Rubber Stamps 

http://iostamps.com

E7983 Black Cats 

3160-LG Twinchies 4

G7762 Leafy Branches

Clearsnap

Colorbox®️ Petal Point Classic Pigment Inkpad (Arboretum, Metallic)

Colorbox®️ Embossing Powder (Clear)

Top Boss®️ Embossing Stamp pad

Colorbox®️ Archival Dye ink pads: Mudslide, Saddle, Seattle Sky, Putty, Wicked Black

Art Daubers

Beacon Adhesives

Zip Dry®️ Paper Glue

Emerald Creek

http://emeraldcreek.org

http://sethapter.com   

Baked Texture Embossing Powders by The Altered Page (Dirty Sand, Ancient Amber, Rocky Road, Chunky Rust)

Heat tool

White, tan and brown cardstock

Instructions:

Version 1

1. Remove desired color sections from the Petal Point ink pads. Using the tip of each section, apply ink directly to the Black Cats stamp, blending as desired. 
2. Stamp image onto 3” x 6 1/4” white cardstock. Pour clear embossing powder over image, tap off excess. Heat until melted.
3. Apply Putty around edges direct-to-paper (DTP) by angling inkpad and pressing repeatedly off the edge in a random pattern. 
4. Using an Art Dauber, apply Saddle around the edges of the card. Place the short card edge onto the Mudslide inkpad. Angle slightly and quickly pull the card edge across the inkpad. Repeat for all 4 edges.  
5. Trim, score and fold tan cardstock to create a 4 1/4” x 7 1/2” notecard. Stamp Leafy Branches in a random pattern around the front of the card.
6. Using Zip Dry Paper Glue, attach layers.

Version 2 (with Baked Texture Embossing Powders added)

1. Remove desired color sections from the Petal Point ink pads. Using the tip of each section, apply ink directly to the Black Cats stamp, blending as desired. 
2. Stamp image onto 3” x 6” white cardstock. Carefully pour on the Baked Powder colors and textures in sections of your choice.  Carefully tap off excess powder. (Note: Less is more!) Pour clear embossing powder over remaining sections of the image, tap off excess. Heat until melted.
3. Using an Art Dauber, apply Putty and Seattle Sky across the bottom edge of the card, as shown. Add Putty and Seattle Sky lightly around the edges, as well. 
4. Place the short card edge onto the Saddle inkpad. Angle slightly and quickly pull the card edge across the inkpad. Repeat for all 4 edges.  Repeat this step to apply Mudslide around the edges.  
5. Apply Saddle to 4” x 7” tan cardstock direct-to-paper (DTP) by wiping inkpad across. Add Mudslide and Wicked Black to edges using the DTP method in step #4
6. Trim, score and fold brown cardstock to create a 4 1/4” x 7 1/2” notecard. Using Wicked Black, stamp Twinchies 4 butterfly images in a random pattern around the front of the card.
7. Attach layers to notecard with Zip Dry Paper Glue.

And here is the article on Monotones!

Aren't I being good?!  Another article....this time in the December 2016 issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine.....

This article was a challenging one since I limited myself to ONLY using black, white and gray.  At the same time, it was also very rewarding because I love limits.

A peek at some of the projects in the article!

While exploring the possibilities I discovered how much fun it was to use inky techniques with embossing folders.  (Embossing folders used are from Sizzix/Ellison.....)