TEXTURE - EMBOSSING PASTE

MARCH FOCUS - Texture - Embossing Paste 

I love Embossing Paste - when the white paste is wet, it is thick, but what a surprise when it dries.   

I regret not having a photo of the embossing paste design while wet.

This post focuses on adding texture to Designer Series Paper (DSP).  This paper was a Sale A Bration award (Jan/Feb 2023).  

With large flowers and black background, it does not need much to make the front of your card stand out. Use this paper, or your favorite colorful paper to add some texture.

My inspiration came from this card design by Carole Corey, with a die that I didn't have,

I knew I wanted to see how I could take this idea and add texture to create a similar design.

Use:

• 4 x 5 1/4" piece of DSP
• Mask or stencil to cover the whole print
• White Embossing paste & embossing spatula ** See note on bottom
• Low tack tape or Washi tape to secure the stencil your work surface

Do:

Tape your Mask/stencil over your print and tape it down so it doesn't move. (From my personal experience: don't try to hold it with one hand.)

Add a small amount of embossing paste with the spatula, working quickly to smooth it out across the whole mask. Keep adding just enough to cover the whole piece of paper. if you get too much on, you can scrape it off and put it back in the container.

Work quickly to smooth a thin layer across because it dries very quickly. 

When satisfied with the coverage, carefully lift off the mask/stencil. 

Wash the mask/stencil and spatula immediately under warm water as it dries very quickly.   Don't leave it on the mask/stencil or spatula to clean later because it will harden.

Leave the embossed piece to air dry.  It will curl slightly as it adds moisture to the paper.   I set mine in the sun indoors and it dried in no time.

The white embossing paste dries somewhat translucent, so depending on your print, you may find that the design can be seen through the masked/stenciled images.

When the DSP is completely dry, it will be slightly curled, so take a marker, pen, or pencil and slightly roll the paper on the paper side only the opposite way to uncurl it.

Now here's what I did to create my design: 

I cut this stenciled 4 x  5 1/4" DSP in half, corner to corner to form a triangle. 

I then mounted it on a white layer, same size, that had been dry embossed with a tight patterned embossing folder, using Multi-Purpose Tombo Glue. 

Next, I fussy cut the images that coordinated with the DSP and layered on top of the stenciled edge & white near the center with dimensionals.

Choose a layer of 1/16" dark cardstock like black if desired.  

Add to a 4 1/4 x 11" card that is scored at 5 1/2"  and folded, making this card a top fold.  

** NOTE: If using Embossing Paste that has firmed up in the container, add a drop or two of water and stir with the spatula.  Embossing Paste can be dyed with ink. It can be applied with a plastic knife, or with a brayer, as long as you wash the tools immediately that you will use again.

Use your favorite Print paper.   Add texture and interest with a mask/stencil and embossing paste.  Cut in half and use on an embossed layer - adding more texture!

Thanks for stopping by.  Click my link (in the right column on this page) to visit my Face Book Page. 

 Visit my online shop and find more of my projects, latest catalogs, and learn why I love this hobby with Stampin' Up! so much - you can do it too!

I love paper.  As an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I get a discount on all purchases in addition to the customer sales; I can view and buy new products before customers do, but the #1 reason I love being a Demonstrator, is a three-fold reason:   be creative - share creativity - send the joy to others!   

Be Blessed! sb

    

Masked Water Colour with Stencils

 

MASKED WATER COLOUR and WATER COLOUR WITH STENCILS    January 2023

LIVE Video – Face Book: Card Connoisseurs – Card Making with Susan Boback

 www.susanboback.stampinup.net

I’m inspired by many types of art starting when my third-grade teacher loved paper mache’ and sculpting more than she loved teaching math.  My gram enrolled me in “kit of the month” craft kits and the next 60 years? Filled with ideas and projects.  I am an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, have been making cards for 35+ years, and I love making cards because doing so is a way that I can Love what I do and share them to cheer up the world!

TODAY’s projects are taking the ink on water colour paper and masking part of the area BEFORE you add the ink to add details to the print.  The second project is my version of a technique I saw on “Make It Artsy” Ink & Stencils.

PROJECT #1 - MASKED WATER COLOUR

SUPPLIES I USED (Stampin’ Up! unless noted) Click on the products to find them at my Stampin' Up! shop.

Re-inkers – BLUES: colors Night of Navy, Starry Sky, Orchid Oasis, Tahitian Tide, or any combination of blue shades you have. Be aware that some of the blue shades split in color when water is added. GREENS: Parakeet Party, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive and any shades of greens.  BROWN: Early Espresso (dark) and Crumb Cake (Light).

Water Spritzer good to have two

Lucite Block(s)

Water Colour Paper

White Crayon or Piece of Unscented white or clear wax

Paper towels (roll) and a mat to protect your work surface. Because you’ll be spraying water, you may want to work in a box or cover the surrounding area with a towel or paper.

Plastic gloves or something to cover your finger tips with

Silicone baking sheet or similar to protect work surface, 12x12 cardboard to guard work space from spritzed water/ink.

Fine Tip Drawing Marker – Stampin’ Write Basic Black Marker or same color as ink, which are .5 mm or Pandafly brand Micro-Line Pen

Your fingers will get full of ink.  Wear light-weight rubber gloves if you don’t want ink-stained fingers/nails, or use plastic finger tips, I found at the Dollar Tree for use with nail polish or silicone finger tips to prevent your fingers from burning by hot glue.

NOTE: DON'T spritz the paper before you add the ink because the ink will spread, and we don't want that to happen with this technique. When you’re finished with your print, spritz the back of the water colour paper with water, lightly, and set it to dry under a book or heavy object to keep it flat.  

MASKING WITH WAX: With white crayon or wax piece, make a solid circle, moon/sun shape; draw clouds, waves, mountains.

Apply your ink carefully – put a few drops of ink on the lucite block, spritz it with water, then in one movement, tip it upside down on your paper and pull it across your paper.   

If you didn't see the video for this instruction, here's the basic info:   Drop a few drops of ink on a lucite block, and spritz it with water - not too much and not too dark; starting on the left side of your paper, flip the block over and drag it quickly across the page starting at the top.  Repeat with different colors.

Sky, water and land. Don’t think too much about this – just push the ink across the page. 

USE paper towel to dab off excess ink or drips on the paper where you didn’t want it. 

Clean off the block if you're adding a new color; then clean off your hands, so that the ink on your hands doesn’t become part of the print. (This might be common knowledge, but we all need a Reminder.)  

After you've rubbed off the excess ink on the waxed areas, set it aside to dry. When its dry, trim it, make it into a card front.

‐-----------

PROJECT #2 Water Colouring on Masks (Masks are Stampin’ Up! product name for Stencils)

Project #2 was inspired by “Make It Artsy” where Julie Fei Fan Balzer sprinkled ink powder on the stencil, squirted it with water, and ……..well, let me show you how I took that idea and applied it to my favorite coordinating products.  Isn’t that just the best thing about Stampin’ Up!? Everything coordinates – so if you don’t have the artful ideas you can still make beautiful prints and projects then share them!!

I used a 12x12 piece of water colour paper – its easier to use a large piece and score it into individual pieces. Ideally it would be 4x6 sections, but my sample is 6x6. 

Whether you use 4x6 or 5x7 or 12x12, remember that we are using DRY water colour paper to start with.  We are NOT taping the stencil down like you do when you use a blending brush to apply the ink.

Add 3 drops of ink from a re-inker bottle into a water-filled Spritzer. We’re NOT using alcohol ink on this project.  This is your ink. 

**Before you spritz the ink, make sure your space and surrounding supplies are covered, as the fine ink spray gets every where.

Place the stencil down on the paper.  Hold it with one hand or not at all! Spritz the open spaces quickly, and just as quickly, lift up the stencil being careful not to tip the puddled ink/water that has collected on the top of the stencil.  Wipe off the excess liquid and place it in another dry space and spritz it again.  Do this randomly across the paper, making sure to use a dry paper towel to absorb the puddled ink on the paper – OR leave it there to dry.   Clean off the excess ink on top of the stencil and move it over and spritz again.   Look at the whole piece of paper and see how it looks to you.  Since the water colour paper is dry to begin with, the liquid ink will absorb fast as long as not too much was spritzed on. 

I added the second layer on the flower but I thought the veins of the flower in the darker color took away from the natural look of a water color print.  You decide how much to add.

Once the prints are nearly dry, add the layer for the leaves.  Use a sponge dauber, or water painter to add green to the leaves. This is another way to add color to these prints. Be free with it, and don’t be too concerned if you get it in the exact frame of the stencil.

This is a technique that shows the stenciled print as a water colour print.  I love the pastel, light print.  

To make the print look dimensional, I used a fine tip black pen, .3 mm, and outlined the edge of the leaf and the flower petals.   On the blue sample print the black outline gives dimension.  While I first used black on the pink print, I also tried the same color ink.  I think the same color ink might be better.  You’ll have to try it and see what you think looks the best for your own print.  So if you’re looking for something exact, this may not be the technique for you.

Please post your prints – I love seeing how inspired we are from each other. As I’ve said, the print will reveal itself to you as you work on it.  Each print is different, and might not turn out the way you thought it would!

Thanks for stopping by.  Be Blessed!sb

Join me in person at Card Making Class, on my Face Book Class page: Card Connoisseurs - Cardmaking with Susan Boback or Instagram.    Find out more about Stampin' Up! catalogs, products and how you can get a 20% discount as part of my team: www.susanboback.stampin.net

Mask with Cardstock

Make a Mask with 1 layer of cardstock and a die; along with two other pieces of cardstock under the top layer at the same time that you die cut it. This one crank through the die cut machine will get you the mask, layer 1, and 2 card fronts to use the mask on. 

Layer 1: your die and cardstock

Layer 2 & Layer 3: cardstock

If you have a die without a coordinating stamp set, you can make a Mask with cardstock to make prints.

Take 3 different colors of cardstock, cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". 

Stack them on top of each other - since the top piece will be die cut, and the other two will appear embossed, choose your colors accordingly.

 Put the die on top and run them through your Cut & Emboss Machine altogether - just one time!

Layer #1 - Since this layer becomes the Mask, it doesn't necessarily have to be a color to coordinate with the theme of your die.  I've used the "Perched in a Tree" Aspen Tree die. I chose Merry Merlot for Layer 1; Gray Granite for Layer 2; Balmy Blue for Layer 3.

Layer #1 will be the only layer that will be die cut. Layers #2 and #3 will not be cut through but look embossed. This is what you want, so make sure that you don't put it through the machine more than once.

The photo above is the reverse side of the 2nd layer.  This is how it should be, a deep imprint but not cut through. The picture below shows the 3rd layer, embossed.

Now, to use your Die Cut of cardstock as a Mask, you'll place Layer #1 over one of the embossed layers, 2 or 3, and with a blending brush or sponge dobber you can create a background of colors.

You can hold the Mask in place with one hand and blend with the other; OR you can also use a low tack tape to attach the mask to your work surface to keep it in place. 

Layer #2 - shown above is Balmy Blue layer with a sunset background. Begin at the bottom, using a separate Blending Brush with each color, and work up. 

If you haven't used Blending Brushes, make sure to swirl the brush, with light pressure, first on a scrap paper, then over to the area you want to color. 

Start with Shaded Spruce, then Daffodil Yellow, adding a darker circle of yellow to represent the sun; then Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade, then leaving a space at the top for the cardstock color, Balmy Blue. 

When you lift off the mask, you'll be surprised to see how neat it will look. 

(I think you'll want to make more prints this way.)  

Layer #3 (above)

This print is a night time sky.  It's made the same way: lay the Mask layer over the Aspen Trees embossed print. I've added the small die cut tree, so it is also a Mask.  Start at the bottom as with Layer 2. Use light pressure with a Blending Brush, and Gorgeous Grape ink. Work upwards adding Night of Navy, layering the two colors until you get the look you want. 

If you want a little more dimensional look, try placing Layer #1/Mask a fraction of an inch more to the right of the embossed image. This perspective is visible on the upper right edges of the trees. 

Once your print is the way you want it, add Pearlized Enamel Effects Basics in White for the stars.  Set it aside to dry. 

Once you've created two prints with Layer #2 and Layer #3,  take a look at  Layer #1 - the Die Cut/Mask - to see if adding more inks, or embossing it for more texture or leaving it as is, would complete the look for a card front layer.

Here's Layer #3.  I added tone on tone near the bottom, to see how it would look.

                                        

Would it look good with a sky scene like this one?

                           

I cut off the two trees to the right, then embossed it, using the Forever Fern embossing folder for texture. The background I used was a water color scene I had made earlier.

I added the two trees as an embellishment on a Designer Series Paper layer, because nothing is scrap.

Here are some samples using the same technique:

Layer 3 pieces of card stock under a die. These dies are from Celebrating Sunflowers and Brilliance Wings sets.

                                

Run it through Cut 'n Emboss Machine  altogether, one time

Use the die cut layer 1 as a Mask and ink the design

                                

Add Die cut pieces to Layer 1 or 2

Emboss the whole piece for texture

Add ink with light pressure of blending brush, over the embossed (raised) sections.

The black and Merry Merlot prints above, have White Pigment Ink added to the embossed sections (shown before embossed with the Time Worn Type embossing folder).

Layer and add to card front.

Colors of ink used here are:  Evening Evergreen, Shaded Spruce, White

Colors of cardstock are Flirty Flamingo, Merry Merlot, Evening Evergreen, and Black.

Wink of Stella and Linen thread completes the design.

White glossy paper (its what I had on hand) was used to lightly blend the ink over the embossed text.

What dies will you use to make a Mask? 

How will you add interest and texture?

Thanks for stopping by!  Be Blessed!  sb

<!-- start Blog Carousel script -->

<script src="https://blogcarousel.com/?11hv=embed&mode=js" type="text/javascript"></script>

<noscript><p><a href = "https://blogcarousel.com/?11hv&showBloghop" title = "View all blog hop posts">Blog Hop Index</a></p></noscript>

<!-- end Blog Carousel script -->

Visit my Stampin' UP! page where you can see projects, the latest products and view the catalogs online:  www.susanboback.stampinup.net

MASK before the MASK

  

Today’s project I’m calling “Mask before the Mask (before the Mask)”  You may know how to cut an adhesive backed paper in order to mask under the ink.  

Today's MASK Technique shows how to add ink beyond that masked space.

MASK #1 SUN or MOON 

We're making a sky & water scene, so decide first if you want a sun or moon. Cut it out of a Sticky Note or Adhesive Sheet, and place it on the paper where the sun or moon should be.

Here are three prints that I made with todays masking techniques.  The top two are sun and sky and the bottom print is my attempt at nighttime sky (even with the bright green grass).

The print below is one I nearly gave up on.  But when it dried, I was so pleased with what could be water or clouds, and that the yellow did not bleed into the blue, which was before I added the barrier.

MASK #2 CLOUDS, WATER 

Use a white, colored pencil, not a water color pencil.  Where ever you want your clouds or waves to appear, color with the pencil or a white crayon.  This creates a mask or resist, once ink is added around it.

You can also create a barrier with the white pencil or crayon if you are planning to add yellow in the blue sky area, and don’t want it to blend and turn into green.

MASK #3 SKY, WATER, SUNSHINE - the main focus of today's project

Use a well inked full size ink cartridge (not shown) OR

Squirt a dot or two of liquid ink OR 

Scribble with the Stampin' Write maker on a silicone craft sheet or a clear stamping block (as shown below) Make sure you're not using the Blends alcohol markers. They dry too fast to transfer the ink.

This is the Starry Sky (2022-2023) In-Color.  

Take a piece of masking tape that is as long as your paper is wide. (I used regular masking tape, not blue painter's tape. You will have to discover what works best for the look you want)  The masking tape becomes the tool to transfer the ink to the paper, and make an imprint. 

Here is the technique: Hold the masking tape on each end and lightly press the sticky side down into the ink, then lift it up and press it down on your paper. Tap it down, smooth it with your thumb and pick it up and repeat.

                    

Each time you transfer the ink, the imprint is a little different.  Start at the top, remembering to use  a small amount of ink, because you can always add more layers later, and work quickly down the page. 

                                        

Since I knew I wanted to create cloud and sky and water with a tropical view, I planned to add sun and use 2/3 of the paper with blues for sky and water.  Sometimes, though, you don't create the scene till the ink dries. Think of the colors of blue skies with clouds and sun. You’ll probably agree that no two skies are alike.  And no two prints you make will be identical.

TIP: If you're frugal like me, you'll discover that once the masking tape, sticky side is dry, it can be used over and over with the same color.

If you know what you'd like to do, for background, remember to decide first:

Day or night = sun or moon (MASK #1 adhesive circle to cover the space)

Clouds (MASK #2 – white crayon or color pencil in white that is NOT a water color pencil to create a mask)

Blue sky of day or night or water (MASK #3 with masking tape)

OR make an abstract background by placing the masking tape on different angles, leaving white spaces or no spaces.  You are the artist!  

To complete today's Masking project, I added palm trees, embellishments of stepping stones, Wink of Stella for the moon or Daffodil yellow to the sun.  

OPTIONAL: for night sky, add star flecks.  Use a White Craft Ink refill. Put a dab of it on the end of a Water Painter, and while holding it over your print, bounce the brush on your extended finger which should "flick" the paint onto the print.  (Not a great explanation, but hopefully you'll either have done this before, or can figure out how to flick the paint drops onto your print)

Trim your print for the front of a card, or display in a frame on your desk. I used an A2 card base of Basic white. Score an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece at 4 1/4" then cut 1" off the front of the card.  I used the retired Waves of the Ocean Designer paper, cut at 3/4" x 5 1/4" to emphasize this 1" section of the inside that shows.  Use a metallic layer or Starry Sky cardstock cut at 3 1/4" x 5", and layer your print on top which should measure 3" x 4 3/4".  

If you're new to these measurements, think about subtracting 1/4" for each layer from the base.  Knowing that an A2 card (USA and Canada) is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" was one of the most valuable bits of information in card making I learned. With that in your mind, you can always cut layers at 1/8 or 1/4" smaller to showcase colors, prints and embossed pieces.

These are the products I’ve used for the prints shown.   

Paradise Palms #157716 page 23 Annual Catalog (2022-2023)

Starry Night Ink, re-inker and cardstock page 122 Annual Catalog

Silicone Craft Sheet

Daffodil Delight Ink, page 122 Annual Catalog

Parakeet Parade Ink

Basic White Cardstock 

Masking Paper  #155480 p 149

White Craft Ink  #101780 page 129

Masking tape. White Colored Pencil that is NOT water color pencils, or White crayon.

I hope you enjoyed this.  Sometimes, I just have to get all ink-y!

Post your version of this project on Card Connoisseur on Face Book or send me an email.  I’d love to see how you Mask before the Mask before the Mask.

Make sure to visit my online store for these products, check out my project page and learn why I love Stampin’ Up! products so much!.  www.susanboback.stampinup.net  You can be part of my Team and enjoy the creativity, community and discounts too.

Thanks for stopping by!  Be Blessed. sb