Group of Cardmakers - Faux Cyanotype

Hi everyone, it's time for the Group of Cardmakers to try a new Technique. This month we are playing with Faux Cyanotype. 

Cyanotype is a photographic technique using photographic chemicals and sunlight to create a negative image. The images produced have a blue to green colouring with light areas where items have been placed on the paper or fabric. this can be replicated by using blended ink and either the same ink to stamp or by using white ink.

Here are two videos showing how to create a card using the technique

1. Faux Cyanotype using White Ink By Tracy Evans

2. Faux Cyanotype using the same ink as the blended background By Understand Blue - Lydia Fieldler

Both techniques mask off a border then blend a blue colour over the whole area. If you use white paint the blending will need to be much darker. The blue stamping or same ink can be a lot lighter.

For my first card I blended the background and used an old Serendipity stamp.

My second card I used the ink pad direct to paper to give me a deep blue and then stamped in white, Again I used and old Serendipity stamp. I did mask of the edges but the ink pad worked its way under the mask. I don't mind as I like the rougher edges in the darker ink.

My third card I blended a very pale blue ink and then stamped the image using the same ink. The circle was embossed using a circle die and a mask cut out of the centre of some copy paper to blend inside of the embossed area. I'm not sure who makes the bird.

My last card I again used a direct to paper technique with the ink pad but this time I didn't use a masked border. I decided to try the technique with another colour other than blue.  I actually like the rough more organic edges from the ink pad. and the colour. The leaves are a Magenta stamp.

I hope we have inspired you to try Faux Cyanotype stamping.

Card Recipe
Stamps: Serendipity, Magenta
Paper: 110 Lb White, Black, Pale Blue
Ink: Ranger Distress Inks, Hero Arts White
Accessories: Stamp Platform
Techniques: Cyanotype, ink Blending

Group of Cardmakers - Acrylic Painting on Coloured Cardstock

Hi everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are getting ready for your New Year celebrations.

Our Group of Cardmakers technique for this month is Andy Skinners acrylic paint on coloured card. Andy used White on his card but any colour works well. 

Sorry about all the Christmas cards but when I tried this technique out it became my go to for finishing my Christmas card stash, I had so much fun I couldn't stop. I used Gesso for the white on my cards and acrylic paint and Posca Paint pens for the other colours.

My First card is the Tim Holtz Snowman

My Second card is a Penny Black stamp and BetterPress Sentiment

Penny Black stamp Acrylic Paint and Paint Pens

I also borrowed this stamp and I'm not sure which one it is.

We hope you will try this technique  with us, it's so addictive 😀

Card Recipe
Stamps: 
Paper: 110lb white, 65lb coloured card stock
Ink:  Versafine Clair
Accessories: Gesso, Posca Pens, Acrylic paint, Stamp Positioner
Techniques: Painting on Colour paper with Acrylic paint

Group of Cardmakers - Stenciling with Mica Powders

Hi everyone the Group of Cardmakers  are playing with Mica powders for this months technique.

Mica powders are not all the same so when you buy them be aware some need a binder to hold them on the paper others have a binder as a part of the powder. Check out the write up on the Group of Cardmakers blog for instructions on all the different powders, binders and how to use them.

For my first card I use a Tim Holtz poinsettia stencil and a versarark pad pressed directly onto the stencil. I removed the stencil and lightly brushed Lavinia mica powders over versa marked areas trying to kethe colours separate. Lavinia Mica's have a binder in the powder, but you can always spray with a fixative as well. The dots at the centre of the poinsettia didn't get fully inked as they were so small so I use a metallic pen and added them after. I also used the metallic pen on the edge of the base layer to give a faux layer,

My second card was done in the same way as the first, I also added some glossy accents to the berries and used the sentiment to hide an area which didn't quite pick up enough versamark ink. If you have a versa mark pen you could use it to touch up missed areas.

The sentiment is from one of the BetterPress Christmas sentiment sets, and the frame is a postage stamp frame die.

My last cad was done using sticky powder and mica. You don't see it in the picture but the sticky powder leaves a texture which makes the powder look more like glitter than mica powder.

I used an edge sentiment die in silver mirror card to complete the card.

I think my favourite is the first for the colour but I also love the texture on the snowflakes in the last.

We hope you check out this technique and pull out your mica powders if you have any.

Card Recipe
Stamps: BetterPress, SimonSays Stamp
Paper: 110lb White, Black
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Sentiment Die, Postage Stamp Die, Square Stitched Edge die
Techniques:

Group of Cardmakers -Inlaid Die cuts

Hi everyone the Group of Cardmakers are playing with dies again. This month we are inlaying some colour inside the die cuts. Inlay can be clouding the die cuts, using Designer Paper ore scraps of leftover backgrounds.

Videos:

Inlaid Paper Backgrounds by Cathy Zielske (7:52)

Inlaid Die-cutting with Dimension - 2-for1 Cards by Charlene Madrid (10:30)

Die-cutting Hack for Intricate Dies by Anna Helman (6:56)

For my first card I watercoloiured the inlay pieces cut from white card into a black outline, the background is a script embossing folder.

For my second card, I used one of my favourite poinsettia dies I've blended inks on the first die cut image without removing the pieces then die cut the outline a second time in gold.

My third card I rummaged through my stash and found a scrap of salted water colour background. I die cut the frame twice in white card and layered them for a little dimension, then die cut the background. the sentiment was die cut twice, once in the watercolour card and again in black, the black was off set slightly to give a shadow effect making it stand out a little more on the background.

We hop you give this fun technique a try, it's a great way to use up some scraps and have fun with your dies.

Card Recipe
Stamps: see individual cards.
Paper:
Ink:
Accessories: Embossing folder, Dies, 
Techniques: Inlaid die cuts

Group of Seven Cardmakers - Generation Stamping

Hi everyone, it's time for the Group of Seven Cardmakers technique. This month we are using generation stamping. This is a great technique to add depth to your cards and also create different shades of colours from one ink pad. 

Here are a few videos for you to check out if you haven't tried it before.

Two Minute Tip - Second Generation Stamping by Ellen Hutson LLC (1:47)

Second Generation Stamping by Catherine Pooler (4:30)

Second Generation Stamping by Unity Stamp Company (1:21)

One thing you have to remember if you first stamp partially off the card the inked area will now be uneven and have a noticeable ink line will appear. You can see the line on the second stamped image and the rubber stamp. It is better to stamp off the first ink on scrap paper then stamp on your card.

Card 1- I used Lavinia stamps and second and third generation stamping. It can actually give your image a little movement, the bird has first, second and a very faint third generation stamping and I lightened the colouring as I went along. The background has lots of second a third generation stamping to add depth and lighter colours. To finish the card off I went around the edge with a Gold Pen to create a faux mat.

Card 2- Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous images. I stamped my first image high on the page and each time I stamped again I moved it down. You can see the Queen Anne's Lace get lighter and lighter, I also stamped the numbers a second time. I also finished the card by going around the edge with a Blue metallic pen to create a faux mat.

We hope you give this fun technique a go and don't forget to show us the cards you create 😊

Card Recipe
Stamps: Lavinia and Stampers Anonymous
Paper: 110lb White
Ink: Versafine Clair, Distress Inks
Accessories: Gold Pen, Blue Metallic Pen
Techniques: Generation Stamping

Group of Seven Cardmakers - Gilding Flakes on Acetate

Hi everyone, it's time for our Group of Seven Cardmakers technique for this April. This month we're playing with our Gilding Flakes and applying them to Acetate.

The video below shows you how to use the Gilding flakes on Acetate.

Video:  

Gilding Flakes on Acetate! by Meerkat Makes by L (9:58)

For my cards I took some craft glue and spread it out on my craft mat. I picked up the glue with piece of foam and pounced it onto my rubber stamps.  Be careful in that you need to put your stamps in water immediately after stamping on the acetate. I left one of my stamps a little too long so removing the glue took a little effort.

Card 1 -Deep Red Church and street lamp, Janes Doodles Sentiment.

I used Simon Says thin frame die to outline the image,

Card 2- AAL and Create Fibonacci background stamp,  IO Seth Apter - Solar System.  The acetate was layered over a background from my stash, it will eventually be a masculine birthday card.

Card - 3  Art Specially Hare stamp, Simon Says Stamp thin frame die, I think this is my favourite of the all the cards.

This was a fun technique but as usual there's a big clean up at the end, we hope you give it a go.

Card Recipe
Stamps:
Paper: 110 lb White, Silver, Gold Acetate
Ink: Card 1 Versafine Clair Nocturn for the Sentiment
Accessories: Craft Glue, Gilding Flakes, Dies, Acetate
Techniques: Gilding Flakes

Group of Seven Cardmakers - Embossing pastes

Hi everyone, it's time for the monthly Group of Seven Cardmakers post and this month we are looking at Pastes.

The great thing about pastes is there are so many options and they also don't need to be expensive. With some basic supplies you can make your own texture and coloured pastes.

You can make your own texture paste using the following ingredients

Method 1 

1/4 cup of Baby Powder

1 tablespoon of school glue

1table spoon white matte acrylic paint

Instructions -

Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Stir well till blended

Add colour medium if desired.

Use on you projects.

Method 2

1 part Cornstarch

1 part Elmers Glue

Optional white acrylic paint

Instructions

Combine cornstarch and glue in a mixing bowl

Mix well

Add paint or other colour medium if desired.

Use on your projects

Here are my samples for you to check out.

Card 1-I used an acrylic block and distress oxides to create my background and stamped the image and used a circle stencil to create the moon. I used a snowy stencil to add pearlized embossing paste. This is a great way to add a little bling to your  Christmas card.

Simon Says Stamp Stencil, Card-IO stamp, BetterPress Sentiment

Card 2-  I did another acrylic block print with distress Oxides for my background. This time I used some texture paste through my script stencil. What I love about using texture paste in this way is that it pulls some of the colour from your background and you get a really nice muted colour to the paste.

Finnabair Stencil, Art Specially Stamp

Card 3- I added some powdered inks to the texture paste to colour it. I masked off the lower portion of the card before I placed the stencil and then spread the blue grey texture paste over it. When it was dry I watercoloured the trees to give them a little depth. I used white sparkle snow texture paste over the ground using a palate knife and die cut the deer and glued them in position. I then added a little extra snow texture paste around their feet.

TCW Tree Stencil, Memory Box Deer Dies, BetterPress Sentiment

Card4/5 these two cards were cut from the same panel and was a little bit of an experiment. 

I used texture paste through the stencil, once it was dry I coloured it with zig watercolour pens. I replaced the stencil and used some Triple thick gloss glaze and my finger to go over the stenciled areas. The glaze when it dried sealed the stenciling, I then sprayed the whole sheet with Lindy's Magical sprays. I'm sure you know I love it when things look a little grungy so I love the end result. There was a little colour leakage and seepage of the glaze and such a beautiful sparkle.

Tim Holtz Poinsettia Stencil, BetterPress Sentiments

I hope you give pastes a try on your projects, you will have so much fun and they really make your card look so special ♥

Card Recipe
Stamps: see the individual cards.
Paper: Mixed Media and Watercolour
Ink:
Accessories: Stencils, Texture Pastes, Powdered inks, Ultra Thick Gloss
Techniques: Stenciling, Watercolours, Texture Pastes, Die cut, BetterPress

Group of Seven Cardmakers - Floating Frames

Hi everyone, it's time for the Group of Seven Cardmakers to try a new technique. This month we have Floating Frames for you. The idea is to create a frame using die cuts and popping them up on foam. This can be done with or without Press N Seal.

I used the BetterPress butterfly set and lay them out on a piece of card. Once I was happy with the position of the butterflies I use Press N Seal to hold them down. I die cut through the Press N Seal and used both parts, one as a frame and the other the central focus of the card. I couldn't resist adding an extra butterfly on both cards.

Even though this technique was a little bit fiddly I am going to try it again with some Christmas die cuts. I hope you check it out with us at Group of Seven Cardmakers

Videos:  Different suggested ways to do the technique

Floating Die Cut Frame by Jennifer McGuire (13:36) 

Floating Frames Version without Press 'N Seal by Natasha Foote (7:45)

Card Recipe
Stamps: BetterPress butterflies, Penny Black Sentiment, Simon Says Stamp sentiment
Paper: 110lb white
Ink: BetterPress Black ink, Versafine Clair Nocturn
Accessories: BetterPress, Zig Pens, Coloured Pencils
Techniques: Floating Frames, Die cutting

Group of Seven Cardmakers - Dry Embossed Highlights Over Ink Blending

Hi everyone, the Group of Seven Cardmakers are highlighting some dry embossed backgrounds. We have a couple of videos that you can check out or just dive in with your embossing folders.

Videos:  Different suggested ways to do the technique

Embossing Folder Fun by Jo Simons (16:33)

Another 3D Embossing Folder Technique by Jo Simons (15:39)

My first card I blended some ink through a butterfly stencil (Magenta) embossed it with a 3D embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp) and highlighted the raised edges with white ink. I did notice the embossing picked up some black ink from a previous embossing technique I had done. I actually like the effect 😏

My second card I used red card stock placed with the edge out of the poinsettia embossing folder (Nellies Choice), I did this on both sides of the piece of card leaving a flat area in the middle. I swiped the raised areas with a Distress Oxide ink pad and placed the sentiment (BetterPress) in the middle.

My third card is the same embossing folder but using the debossed side and used white ink. This began as an oopsie but I kept it as I liked the look. The Sentiment is BetterPress.

Card Recipe
Stamps: Better Press Sentiments
Paper:  Stamping up Coloured card, 110lb White.
Ink: Distress Oxide, Archival (sentiments)
Accessories: Embossing folders. Magenta Stencil
Techniques: 3D Embossing, Highlight Embossing, Stenciled Embossing 

Group of Seven Crafters - Ombre

Hi everyone, the Group of Seven Cardmakers are having some fun with Ombre as a design element of our cards.

I looked up the definition of Ombre and this is what I found.

Ombré /ˈɒmbreɪ/ (literally "shaded" in French) is the blending of one color hue to another, usually moving tints and shades from light to dark. 

As a design element there are so many things you can do with blending from one colour to another.

Your colour medium can be almost anything

Inks, Paints, Pastels, Card stock, Pastes, Embossing Powders.

The ombre effect can be direct to card, used on stamps, cut out of card stock.

The sky's the limit so check out your stash and play with some colours 😄

For my first card I have used black cardstock and Oil Pastels. I took three shades of blue and scribbled them on Black card, I blended the colours using Odorless Mineral spirit. I die cute the trees and stamped the sentiment using a BetterPress Plate and die cut. The edge of the card was outlined using a blue metallic pen.

I think this was my favourite card with the colour creating a really interesting cloudy sky.

For my Second card I again used Oil Pastels and odorless mineral spirit and stamped the image in Versafine Clair Moring Mist

My third card is Ombre stamping. I used three shades of Blue Versafine Clair inks. I love the Clean and Simple look of the image and the three colours add interest to the stamping.

Card Recipe
Stamps: Magenta, KatzelKraft
Paper: 110lb White, Black
Ink: Versafine Clair 
Accessories: Metallic Blue Pen, BetterPress Sentiment, Sennelier Oil Pastels, Odorless Mineral Spirit
Techniques: Ombre, Stamping, Die Cutting

Group of Seven - Tone on Tone Die Cuts (Faux Embossing)

Hi everyone, it's time for the Group of Seven Cardmakers technique for this month.

We are using Tone on Tone or sometimes called Faux Embossing. It's simply die cutting some shapes in the same colour as the background card and sticking them down.

There are two videos to use as suggestions, but feel free to try your own way.

Videos:

1)  Creating a Tone-on-tone Background with Die-cuts by Kristina Werner (7:42)

2)  Ombre Tone-on-Tone Intricate Die-cut Background by Emily Midgett (10:20)

For my cards I used white on white which I love it looks so elegant, this is such a fun easy technique I hope you give it a go with us.

Card 1 - Christmas tree die set is from Impression Obsession, Sentiment -BetterPress with Foil

Card 2 -Tim Holtz  Snowflake die plus unknown other snowflakes, Sentiment Better Press

We hope you join in and try the technique out with us.

Card Recipe
Stamps: None
Paper: 110lb White
Ink:  Ranger Archival
Accessories: Dies, BetterPress Plates, Foil
Techniques: Die cutting