EASY LAYERED FLOWER

Here's another easy flower to make using layered punched or die cut flowers.  Most shapes will work, just duplicate the base layer and then cut a section from the next shape. Remove  a slightly larger piece from each subsequent layer.  Overlap the edges and secure with double sided tape or glue.  Pierce a small hole in the base of each shape and layer from flattest to most curled and secure with a split pin.

THREE LAYER PAPER CARD

 I bought this pretty pink card a few years ago at Tokyo airport. I just loved the way it was constructed, and so decided to make my own.  The middle (burgundy) layer is longest, and is pleated at one end.  This means that the card can be closed by tucking the other side into a fold.  Its a little hard to see from the photo, but I have used a light mulberry paper with a lot of plant fibre for the orange cover, a burgundy embossed paper for the middle, and a  gold shimmer for the interior.  This card is a real treat for paper lovers, and really need no extra decoration.

MODELLING PASTE FAUX EMBOSSING

I came across a container of modelling paste a few weeks ago and couldn't resist.  I have never used it before and so obviously have a lot to learn...hence this week's post is about the most simple thing you can do with it.  To produce the image on the left, all I did was to hold (not even tape, although I probably should have done so) one of my old brass stencils on top of a piece of light card and spread some modelling paste over the top using an old credit card.  This was the result when the stencil was lifted off.  As you can see its a bit rough and ready but has a lot of potential.  I can't wait to try some other techniques!!

EYESHADOW BACKGROUND

Eyeshadows as a background for stamping

Here is another eyeshadow idea....using it to create a "sunset" background for these tree stamps from Rubbadubbadoo.  I like the softness of the result of simply stamping over the chalked (eyeshadowed) background with black pigment ink,  but I might try stamping and embossing for a future post to compare results.

LAYERED FLOWER

SIMPLE LAYERED FLOWER

A nice easy technique for this week...simply chose three or more punches of the same shape but of a different size, cut one or two of each size, stack them (offsetting the petals) and secure with a split pin.  Gently shape the petals.  You can do this with your fingers after construction or, if you want a more shaped result, use an embossing or paper tole tool on a soft mat to add dimension before assembling.  Of course, option three is just to stack them up with no shaping at all, which can sometimes be most appropriate, especially if you are using it on a card that needs to be posted flat in an envelope

BRONZER AND VERSAMARK

VERSAMARK AND BRONZER

But wait there's more....following on from the eyeshadow post of last week, I was delighted to find that the bronzer that came with the eyeshadow works equally well when brushed over an image stamped with Versamark ink!  It has a lovely metallic glow....

COLOURING WITH EYESHADOWS

Eyeshadow + Versamark Peacock

I saw a fabulous palette of eyeshadows at a ridiculously cheap price recently and couldn't resist!!  Eyeshadows make a great substitution for chalks in stamping and you can basically use them the same way.  In this example I've used Versamark (watermarking ink ) to stamp this Graphic45 peacock  and then applied a variety of colours over the top.  (I'm tempted to say "applied with a sponge applicator" but truthfully I used my fingers).  This was just a trial run but I'm happy with the results.  If you wanted I expect it could be sealed with hairspray or "proper" fixative, but its fairly stable as is" and if I was using it for a greeting card I probably wouldn't bother.  I have some more eyeshadow ideas to try out over the next few weeks.

FOIL EMBOSSED HEART

This is a piece of thick cardboard with a thick die-cut heart .  stuck on top.  The whole thing is then wrapped in aluminium cooking foil, working gently around the heart so that the shape stands out clearly.  You could tape or glue it at the back of the card but if you fold it carefully it will generally stay in place long enough to secure it to your eventual background.  Next paint over the whole thing with acrylic paint, and while it is still wet, wipe the heart so that some of the original aluminium foil can be seen. You can try it with different coloured paints and different coloured foils (some supermarkets sell these now), and of course the shape doesn't have to be a heart.  The panel can be used "as is" or further decorated, before being used as a card, in a scrapbook or as an ATC.

HANDMADE PAPER BACKGROUND

This is a nice simple background technique that I stumbled upon by accident.  Apply a lot of glue stick to a soft handmade paper (in this case the green) and apply it to a similar paper in another colour (white).  Run the whole lot through an embossing machine (I used my trusty Cuttlebug) while the glue is still wet and the papers will meld together, and appear as one, rather than two layers.  I have just ripped the green paper into strips which works quite well as the torn edges assist the bonding.

COLOURING WITH WATER-BASED PENS

This is a Crafts Too embossing folder coloured with Tombow pens - only a few colours and a lot of blending pen.  Colouring is still not my strong point but I think I might practise a bit more with water-based markers as I've seen some really good results.  I'm quite keen to try colouring some photos as I've had a little play and found they seem to work quite well for this as well.

STAMPING WITH CORKS

Another simple background technique this week....and one you may well have tried as a little person.  As is sometimes the case, this looks more effective in reality that in the photo, as the metallic ink and embossing lose some of their shine "in translation".  The technique is simply to use cork as a stamp.  In this example I've used white and gold acrylic paint, and then added some round gold stamps.  Ink would give a more even result.  The edge of the circle has been rubbed roughlyy with versamark and then heat embossed with gold  powder.  the stamp on the red circle is also embossed.

STAMP PAD BACKGOUNDS

At this time of year there is no time for complicated techniques so this is about as simple as it can be.  I've just punched out some squares from textured card, pressed a little square pink stamp pad lightly onto the middle (not really trying to get the edges to print).  After a couple of moments drying time I've overstamped with little motifs, using black inks.

Use one to decorate a gift card, three for a standard "rectangular" card and all four for a square card.

STAMPING ON AIR DRY CLAY

I'm cheating again on the "new technique" front as I made this box top literally years ago.  The photo doesn't really do it justice so you'll have to take my word for it still looking as bright as the day it was made.  I've just stamped into DAS air-drying clay with a stamp (unfortunately I can't remember the brand but am happy to credit it if anyone does know).  I've then coloured in with a variety of Gel pens, edged with black permanent pen and added lots of glitter glue.  I can't remember what I used to attach it to the little paper mache box, (which is covered with handmade paper) but after more than six years its still attached!!

RUB-ONS ON SHELL

I have more than my share of moments when I buy something that I'm quite sure will come in useful one day, but don't quite know when that day will come.  As a consequence I have far too much "stuff".  Every now and then, I feel compelled to do a bit of sorting with "use it or lose it" in mind.  It never lasts very long but usually I end up giving one or two things away and actually using a couple of other things, before my attention span is exhausted and the rest of the craft room is safe for the next few months.
The orange shell disc in the middle of this card was one of a bag of six I bought thinking that perhaps I could make something in the jewelry line (its intended purpose) but in over two years nothing has sprung to mind.  I also have lots of little ends of ribbon that never seem to be quite long enough to use.  Add into the mix my rather sad rub-on collection, which I foolishly stored in a warm place with a couple of large books on top hence a sticky mainly unusable stack which I still haven't thrown out.
As you can see, I combined all of these elements, and sat them on top of a teabag motif made with pages from the book I mentioned last week,  I then mounted it onto some decorative paper, then onto a card and well....the result is slightly unusual but OK.  Plus of course, I can feel slightly smug about finally using some of my more obscure craft room "treasures".  The teabag fold is a variation of my favourite kite shape in which one side is opened and secured under the folded side of the next shape.  As this blog is supposed to show a different technique each week, I'll go with  " Rub-ons on shell" as the title!

ROLLED ROSE

I am one of the least likely people you would ever find to rip up a book however.......this one was well and truly falling apart, it was a cheap paperback AND I already had another copy so....I made an exception and now have a couple of hundred nice vintage printed pages to play with.  These little rolled flowers are everywhere at the moment.  You can buy dies to cut them but I prefer the roughly torn version, as shown in the picture.  For those that haven't tried these before: Start by tearing a roughly circular shape (don't be too upset if its not exact, that's the whole idea).  Beginning at the outside tear in a spiral shape towards the middle, being deliberately "wavy" and leaving a small area in the middle as a base.  Now start rolling from the outside until you get to the base, allow the rolled shape to "relax" a little, then glue it to the base.  If you're using light paper like this then double sided tape will do, otherwise use something like Pritt glue or a hot glue gun.  If the flower still looks a little tight, you can gently bend out the petals.