Creative Chemistry 102 Embossing Differently

Rusted Embossing and Sticky Glitter

 Today we went back to Embossing powders and their many uses.

Tag 1 is a brayered stain background with an die cut Eiffel tower covered with Vintage Photo Embossing Powder to give it a rusted look.

Tag 2 is uitilizes sticky embossing powder and glitter.  Stamp your images with embossing ink and apply the sticky embossing powder.  Heat until it melts, let it set for a second of two and then dust with Distress Glitter.  It makes a really nice texture on the embossed image.

Chalkboard effect

For this image stamp images with embossing ink and apply clear embossing powder.  Melt the powder lightly.  Don't over do it because you want a bumpy raised surface left.  Then scribble over the tag with a piece of chalk to create a chalkboard effect.  I didn't have any chalk so I used a white crayon to create the desired effect.  As you can see I melted my top word a little too much so there isn't much for the crayon to cling to.

Gilding

Finally!  My gilding flakes came in yesterday so I can now try this technique. On the first tag I stamped my image of a peony with embossing ink and covered with sticky embossing powder.  I then heated it until it melted and then applied the gilding flakes over the top.  I let them set for a minute and then started removing the gilding flakes with a paint brush.  I wasn't seeing enough of my image appear so I used a sanding wedge very lightly and got a nice burnished area.  Unfortunately the detail of the stamp didn't come through.  So I tried the pumpkin stamp which is more open and followed the same steps.  It worked much more easily and looks really good.  I stamped the images on a separate tag and embossed them in white to show what the stamps look like.  I like the look of the gilding but I think it will shine best when used on less detailed stamps.  I think this method is easier than using a glue pen and gilding flakes.  It's easier to judge when you should start removing the excess flakes.

-R

Creative Chemisty 102 Distress Differently

Smudge Stamping

We skipped around a bit and for our last week of Creative Chemistry 102 we covered two days of assignments. This first technique is called smudge stamping. I thought it was fun to do and is an excellent way to build up some backstock for future creative projects.  You will need two tags for this technique.

Ink your stamp and stamp onto Tag 1 and then immediately onto Tag 2.  Take a blending tool and rub it over the image on Tag 2.  It will soften the edges of the stamped image.  Do this for all the images you wish to use our your tag and then age with distress ink.  I like both images but am really partial to the smudged image.

Image 3 Brayered Stains and Image 4 Rock Candy Glitter

Image 3 shows the look that is achieved by brayering distress stain onto a tag.  It takes a bit of work to figure out how to get the stain to attach to the brayer long enough to transfer it to the tag but it's a really cool effect.

Image 4 is an image that was covered in Rock Candy Distress Glitter.  It's difficult to see in this image but it gives the whole thing a frosted finish.

Faux Cracked Glass

For this technique take a piece of 'faux' glass such as an acrylic tile or a mini glass vial and paint with Glue N Seal or some type of product to provide a toothy surface. I actually used Ranger Multi-medium because that was what I had on hand.  Once the multi-medium was dry I painted over the tile again with Rock Candy Crackle paint and allowed it to dry. Finally I swiped the dry, cracked surface with Mahogany Distress Stain to highlight the cracked areas.

-R

CC 102 Alcohol Inks Challenge

Front

The CC 102 Week 3 Challenge was to create a tag using any alcohol ink technique.

I applied my color dots of alcohol ink to my cotton pad on my blending tool.  I then pounced it all over a coated tag to make a background and then stamped over the dried tag with Ranger Archival Ink. Next I applied some rubbings onto the tag.

Next I dipped a paint brush in blending solution and brushed over the butterflies and dragonfly to lighten their color a little so they would stand out more.

Next I dipped a stamp in blending solution and stamped it on the tag.  You can see the vague outline of a butterfly to the right of the top butterfly and above the dragonfly.  It actually doesn't show up as well in person as it did on the camera.  I'm not sure I would do it again.  Even though I washed my stamp off thoroughly afterwards I am still a little worried about the effect on my stamp long term.

Back

After I created the background for the front of the tag I flipped it over, added some blending solution to my pad and drug it down and then across the tag to make a plaid pattern.  I pounced over it in a random motion to soften it a little bit.

Hope you like it!

-R

CC 102 Week 3 Alcohol Inks

Tag 1 Altered Metal Butterfly and Tag 2 Graduated hues

This week we covered more advanced techniques with alcohol inks.  For these techniques you should work with a glossy or coated paper for the best results.

Tag 1 was really all about altering the metal element using alcohol ink.  Our example was a highly distressed piece but to get that finish you have to coat the metal object with white alcohol mixative and then add your colored alcohol inks.  Of course, I don't have white!  I tried using a base of silver mixative and adding colors and while it changed the piece to a different finish it isn't the weathered metal look.  The background of the tag is also created by dabbing alcohol inks over a coated tag and then stamping over it.

Tag 2 is a graduated hue background.  It's very subtle but I used three different blue alcohol inks moving from light to bright to an earth tone.  It really makes the stamping pop.

Tag 3 Puddles of Ink and Tag 4 Many layers

On Tag 3 I dripped puddles of different color inks and 1 metallic mixative onto my craft sheet and then swiped the tag through it.  I love the way the silver makes it seem iridescent in places.  

Tag 3 has a lot going on.  First I applied alcohol ink and blending solution to the felt pad on my blending tool.  Then stamped all over the tag to create a background.  This technique needs a darker background.  I changed the felt pad on my tool and applied blending solution to it. The I put an alphabet stencil over the top of the tag and used my blending tool to apply the blending solution and removed the color from the open area of the stencil.  You can see the 'W' and 'V' under the airplane.  Next I did the same thing with the burlap stencil on the top left and bottom right hand corners.  Then I stamped all of my images in archival ink.  Finally I applied some Distress Ink through the stencil to apply random bits of text.  You can see the '365' in the top left corner and the 'wan' in the bottom left corner.

-R

Paint Resist and Backgrounds

A while back I bought this box at a local store because I loved the pattern and the colors.  I decided to try to recreate it.  

First I tried creating a background using Pumice Stone and Weathered Wood Distress Inks.  Then I stamped the images onto it using White Picket Fence Distress Ink.  It's a very subtle look.  A little too subtle for what I wanted.

Second I stamped the image onto my tag using Antique Linen Distress Paint.  When it was dry I applied Pumice Stone and Weathered Wood Distress Inks to create a background.  Totally cool but still not quite what I was trying to achieve.

By this time I was having fun with the Distress paint and wanted to try out the technique on the  Tim Holtz set I just bought.  It's a small set with a couple of dies, an embossing folder, and a stamp set.  This time I applied the Antique Lines Distress Paint onto the raised side of the embossing folder and closed it over my tag.  I let it dry. Then I stamped on the Fleur Di Lis.  At this point I used the same two grays and Dusty Concord to create a background.  Notice how the paint resist showed up with the darker colors.  Finally I stamped the tower and the saying.

So back to trying to recreate the box look.  I used some newly purchased Picket Fence Distress Paint on my stamp and got much closer to the contrast on the box.

I'm not sure which one I like better. Go figure...

-R

CC 102 Week 1 & 2 Creative Challenges

For week 1 of Creative Chemistry 102

 our challenge was to create a project using 3 or more colors of Distress Paint.

I applied Spun Sugar Distress Paint onto my tag through a stencil and then dotted other colors around my tag randomly.  I also stamped my truck in Chipped Sapphire Distress Paint.  I stamped the 'Howdy!' in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.  As I wiped on the Distress Inks the image from the stencil really popped out.  I really like how it goes through the truck.

For Week 2 of Creative Chemistry 102 

the challenge was to create a tag using two or more stencil techniques.

On this tag I used the new Tim Holtz set I found at Michael's.  It contains a stencil and stamps.  First I applied distress paint through various arrows on the stencil.  After that dried I reapplied the stencil and stamped on the text.  Next I ground in ink through the words using a blending tool.  Next I stamped the images onto the tag.  Then I applied various colors of green and brown inks to the tag to  create a background and tone down the other elements a bit. 

CC 102 Week 2 Layering Stencils

I have really enjoyed learning about layering stencils this week.  I will even use these techniques with the outlines left behind of die cuts I have made.

Mixed Media Layering

I thought this was going to be really ugly because I only had a couple of colors to work with but it's one of my favorites.  I applied Spun Sugar Distress Paint over my stencil and allowed it to dry. I used a couple of different stencils on the tag.  After is was dry I swiped Mowed Lawn Distress Stain over everything.  I wiped it off on the left side of the tag but let it dry on the right side.  Then I put some distress ink through the stencil on the upper right.  Then I did a little spritz and flick to distress it a little further.  I think it's a cool looking background.

Embossing with stencils

Place your stencil over the tag.  Add Distress Ink with a blending tool.  Quickly remove the stencil and apply clear embossing powder and heat as usual.  

I would never have guessed that you could use your plastic stencils to dry emboss.  I did know that you could use your metal ones so I had purchased a rubber mat to try it a while back but hadn't had time yet.  I dug it out and used it in my sandwich on my Sizzix machine and it worked great!  Apply a little distress ink to highlight the embossing and voila!

Ink Monoprint

Apply various colors of Distress Ink to your stencil.  Spritz the stencil with water and press stencil on tag.  Dry and add some distress inks with a blending tool.

Stencil Sketching Technique

I know it looks like a train wreck!  However, it does highlight some do's and don'ts. Create a background on a tag.  Place stencil on tag and pounce some ink through the stencil with a blending tool.  Then outline some of the stencil using the fine point on a Distress marker.  Color in some parts of the stencil with the brush end of the Distress marker.  I liked the basic pouncing on both the honeycomb stencil and the 'discover stencil'.  However on my outlines you can see than I can't seem to be consistent and it's too prominent for my tastes.  I also didn't care for the colored in dots.  It could just be because I picked a color that was too dark.  I like the 'adventure' that I outlined with the fine tip of the Distress marker.  I will definitely play with colors before committing to a project.

Stamping through a stencil 

Choose a stencil with a large design and apply distress ink or stain through the stencil.  Dry.  Then place the stencil back over the image.  Using a stamp with small text or a small design stamp over the open areas of the stencil again with archival ink. Just think!  No more stamps with the text on them.  Now you can buy a much more economical stencil and create your own.  Of course I need to buy a good small text stamp!

Paint Monoprint

Apply various colors of Distress paint to a stencil.  Mist the stencil and apply to tag pressing down to make sure the paint transfers.  Finish with Distress ink.

I like some of these techniques more than others but am sure I will use them all at some point.

-R

CC 102 Week 1 More Distress Paint Techniques

I haven't had time to post lately due to an illness in the family but am going to get caught up over the next couple of days.  I've really enjoyed this class each time I have had to work on it.  I am starting to warm up to the distress paint.

Marbling Technique

To create this type of look apply various Distress Paints to a craft sheet and spritz with water.  Swipe your tag through the paint until covered.  Spritz tag with water to blend and marble. Dry with a heat tool.  I probably would try to break up the Frayed Burlap area a bit more if I did this again but it displays the technique.

Colored Crackle Technique

To create this look paint Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint onto image die cut from grunge paper.  After it is dry apply Distress Paint to the surface.  The paint provides a matte crackle finish as opposed to a shiny crackle created with distress ink.  I'm not a huge fan of this technique because it always seems to make the die cut curl.  They never lay flat.

Altered Surface Technique

Several things happening on this tag but the focus of this technique is to alter a surface using the paint.  The "Adventure" is a plastic word that has had Distress Paint applied to it.  If you want your distressing to be more prominent then you should paint the entire surface with a light color and then add the other colors.  I didn't.  The scribbles in the background are also done with distress paint.  The image is stamped with ink.  And naturally, the colored background is Distress Ink swiped on with a blending tool.

Eroded Metal Technique

This one is a bit tricky but looks pretty cool.  Apply various colors of Distress Paint to a tag.  Blend it with a blending tool.  I spritzed my tag with water a bit too so that the paints would move better.  Dry the tag.  Apply a layer of Metallic Distress Paint over the entire tag and spritz with water.  Start drying until some but not all areas are set.  Place a paper towel over the top of the tag, press down and quickly lift up.  This should remove the metallic paint in several areas allowing the color to show through.  Make sure you have all of your stuff ready to go because the paint dries quickly and you could wind up with a paper towel coated tag.

Stamping Resist Technique

You won't really understand why by looking at this picture but I have fallen in love with this technique. It's going to be a future blog post of it's own.  To create this look you apply paint directly to a stamp.  It works really well with detailed stamps.  My first stamping is in white at the top of the tag.  I had too much paint on the stamp so it's blurry.  The second stamping is in white at the bottom of the tag and worked better. I then applied red, blue, and light brown inks to the tag with a blending tool.  The image is stamped in black Archival ink and is the same stamp that I used for the background.  This one looks a little wonky but trust me this is a great technique.

Industrial Technique

Apply foil tape to a tag and run through an embossing machine.  Swipe Black Soot Distress Ink over the surface and then wipe off/polish the surface.  The paint will remain in the crevices to highlight them.

That's it for Creative Chemistry 102 Week 1 techniques.

Enjoy playtime!

-R

Creative Chemistry 101 Week 4 Challenge Tag

Week 4 Challenge Tag

Here is my final tag for Creative Chemistry 101 Summer 2016.  

I did the usual background technique.  It's become second nature after a month of practice.  Using a blending tool I rubbed different inks onto the tag until I liked it.  I then stamped the image using Ranger Archival Ink.  Next I water colored in some of the image using Distress Ink.  I also added some Glossy Accents randomly over the grapes to add a little dimension.  And finally I did the old spritz and flick!  

I've had a great time in this class and look forward to starting 102 at the end of the week.  Just in time for vacation!

-R

Creative Chemistry 101 Day 10 Distress Stickles

Day 10 Distress Stickles

We learned about a lot of different textural mediums today but only did one tag.

This tag was created by applying a coat of Spun Sugar Distress Stain and then stamping in Victorian Velvet Distress Ink and then heat setting.  Then covering the entire tag with Distress Stickles and drying.  It's a really cool background effect.  If you wanted to add another image you would need to stamp in Archival Ink for it to stay in place.

Thank you for following my learning process.  I am looking forward to using these techniques on new projects.

See you for Creative Chemistry 102 next week!

-R

Creative Chemistry 101 Day 7 Embossing

Tags using different embossing techniques

Today we experimented with different embossing techniques. I enjoyed this more than last weeks lessons even though I had to re-do my first tag after rubbing too hard to remove the ink on the embossing and causing the tag to disintegrate! 

For Tag 1 I stamped my image with Distress Ink and used clear embossing powder.  Notice the difference between the first stamping at the bottom of the page and the second stamping at the top left.  I actually like the look of the second image better.  After setting the embossing powder with a heat gun I used different Distress Inks with a blending tool to color the background.  Then I stamped in the second smaller leaf still using Distress Ink.  I then wiped the ink off the embossing.  It make the image look like it is lying under the embossed image. 

For Tag 2 I rubbed Distress Ink directly on the tag and then covered with clear embossing powder.  Then I flicked the tag from the back in random areas to remove some of the powder.  After heat setting the powder I rubbed different Distress Inks over the tag with a blending tool to create the background. 

For the 3rd tag I stamped using Distress Embossing Ink and covered with Distress Embossing Powder. After heat setting the embossing powder I rubbed it to remove some of the crystals and made it look a little distressed.  Distress Embossing Powder has a different consistency than others and makes this image look almost fuzzy. To finish I used a blending tool to color the background. 

Have fun!

-R

Creative Chemistry 101 Day 9 Perfect Pearls

Perfect Pearls Tags

Today was a bit more fun and a bit more challenging.

Tag 1 was created by using distress inks on a tag and then dropping perfect pearls to the tag with a brush.  When all the pearls were applied I sprayed the tag with water and dried it.  And Voila! A pearlized background.

Tag 2 begins the same.  I used distress ink to create a background and set it with a heat tool.  Then I stamped the image and and then applied perfect pearls over the wet ink.  Next I sprayed it with water and the ink bled out from behind the perfect pearls just a bit.  It needs to be heat set quickly to avoid a blurry mess.  I think it looks pretty cool.  I used Dusty concord to stamp the image with the copper colored perfect pearls over the top.  

Tag 3 was my challenge. I was supposed to mix my perfect pearls into a mister and shake well before putting the sprayer in. and spray it onto a tag to create a background.  I only have the metallic set of perfect pearls and it didn't show up well on either the black or manilla tags I tried.   So I took one of the Mini Misters that I had mixed a few drops of re-inker into water for a previous lesson and added the white perfect pearls powsder.  I then sprayed a tag, and dried it several times and with different colors to create the background above.  So happy to realize I can get the same effect and don't have to figure out storage for all those little jars!

Thanks for checking out my creations. 

-R

Creative Chemistry 101 Day 8 Paint Techniques

Different things to do with crackle paint

We learned how to do different things with crackle paint this week.  Not my favorite thing but good to know for those times when it's the best choice.

Tag 1 - uses crackle paint to create texture on the background.  You can get a better contrast with a darker color of stain over the top of the dried crackle but I didn't have any.  I like the subtle effect on this fairly well.

Tag 2 displays the tags that were coated in Rock Candy crackle paint and then distressed stained.  This is more vibrant with the darker colors but I also like the effect of the silver stain.  The butterflies are stamped on the tag with paint.

Paint resist

These two tags show the use of paint as a resist.  You rub paint all over your stamp and paint onto your surface.  Once it is dry you rub stain over it to bring out the paint image.   Both of these tags are using sticky back canvas.  I did the technique twice because my first attempt (with the white flower) doesn't show up very well.  Even though on camera it shows up beautifully.  The yellow showed up better but the stain didn't bleed together very well.  I may try this again when I have another stain color or two.  Everything I have is so light just disappeared.  The light colored areas on the tag are actually cotton candy stain.

-R

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Week 2 Challenge

Each week of class we have a challenge to use one or more of the techniques we learned during the week to make a tag or card.  This was my creation for week 2.

CC 101 Week 2 Challenge 

I actually combined a few techniques for this project.

The image was stamped from a custom ink pad onto Ranger's Specialty Stamping paper.  I was so happy to find this technique because as you can see the image is quite detailed and any time I stamped it in black ink or tried to emboss it I didn't have anywhere to color. I was about to get rid of the stamp. By creating a custom ink pad I was able to put some brilliant colors in it and I can get the same effect several times or I can add some more colors and create more blending. I could also get this effect with distress markers but I only have about 5 and they are all dingier colors.

You probably can't see it too well but I used some Spun Straw swiped on my Kraft mat and applied with a paint brush to give a light tone to her skin.

I then distressed the whole thing with some Vintage Photo and flicked some water onto it to create more aging.

Hope you like it!

-R

Creative Chemistry 101 Day 6 Creations

My last day of class for Week 2.  Today we worked with different techniques using distress markers.

Day 6 Tags

The first tag was done on watercolor paper.  You can see the different techniques written right on the tag.  It's really all about learning the different blending techniques and determining your preference.

Tag 2 was done on specialty stamping paper (ssp) by Ranger.  I wanted to see how the ssp worked as opposed to the watercolor paper.  The techniques are a little different as noted by each leaf.

Tag 3 was also done on specialty stamping paper.  For this technique you just color right onto the stamp with your distress markers.  Once you have all of your coloring applied you huff on the stamp a couple of times to re-moisten the inks and then stamp.  You can continue to huff and stamp several times or you can spritz with water and stamp on watercolor paper or ssp. The image on the tag is the 4th generation spritzed stamping.  One of the benefits to stamping onto ssp is that once it is dry you can use your Distress inks and other techniques without blurring your image.

Multi-generation stamping using distress markers.

I huffed and stamped twice on ssp and spritzed and stamped on watercolor paper and then spritzed and stamped again on ssp. I didn't reapply ink at all although you can if you want to tweak your colors a bit. The image on the tag is the 4th generation spritzed stamping.  One of the benefits to stamping onto ssp is that once it is dry you can use your Distress inks and other techniques without blurring your image.

I am so happy to have found two techniques - so far - that allow me to make multiple identical images.  First the custom ink pad  on Day 4 and today's distress markers.  This will come in so handy making custom gift card sets!

Have fun crafting!

-R

Creative Chemistry 101 Day 5 Creations

This afternoon was more challenging for me.  We are learning how to use stains. One of the products we were to use is no longer available and there were no alternate choices listed.  I tried to find one on the web but no go.  Oh well, I just had to move past it.  I am also a bit limited on colors with stains too.  I have two colors: A grass green and Cotton Candy which is a very light pink.  I also have three metallic stains and White Picket Fence. I was still able to achieve the techniques.

Day 5 Tags

Tag 1  was supposed to use Kraft Resist paper which is no longer being made.  I tried to approximate it by clear embossing an image on a Kraft tag.  I then used stains to create a background over it.  When it was dry I stamped the flowers on it.  The embossing didn't allow the stamp to come into contact with the paper enough to be really crisp but you can still see the embossed image a bit.  

On Tag 2 I applied the distress stains directly to the Kraft tag.  Then I added a little distress ink for more color.  I stamped the background image using White Picket Stain.  And finally I stamped the butterflies in permanent ink.

Tag 3's background was achieved by applying distress stains to my kraft mat and then swiping the tag through.  I also added a little distress ink for a bit more color.  Them images are then just stamped on using permanent ink.

I'ts margarita time! 

-R

Creative Chemistry 101 Day 4 Creations

Another busy day of class.  I finished Day 4 earlier today.  It was all about how to use your re-inkers.  Definitely like the multiple uses so I will be buying more.

And just in case you are wondering about Day 3 - we skipped it and will return to it at another time.

Day 4 Tags

The first tag was done using re-inkers as a watercolor palette.  Going to have to invest in some Ranger  

archival ink because my favorite ink smeared a bit but I still like the effect.  I really like being able to get really vibrant colors.  It would have been more colorful but I only have 5 re-inkers at this point.

The second tag is mixing re-inkers with water and spraying them onto a tag to create a background.  After allowing the background to dry I laid down a stencil and sprayed over it to create some visual interest.  I don't have a really dark color so it's not as big a contrast as it should be but it sill demonstrates the technique.

The third tag is my favorite.  I plan on using this technique a lot.  Using Ranger's felt Cut-N-Dry I used the re-inkers to make a custom stamp pad.  I can re-create this image over and over and it will be exactly the same.  So cool!!!

Go forth and create!

-R