 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
So we've looked over the kind of inks we want to use, and we're ready to
try embossing. I've heard of people too afraid to try it, because they
thought it would be too hard or too messy. I don't find it to be either. If
you remember putting glitter on your art as a child, you'll know how to do
this. I was afraid to try it, for fear that I would love it and have to buy all
the stuff! Okay, I did end up doing that, but I started with some
Versamark, and some inexpensive powder from my local big box store,
and have been hooked ever since.
The only tools you need are: a stamp, pigment ink (or embossing pad),
any color embossing powder, and a heat gun. (A hair dyer won't work -
even though many of these guns look similar). I have tried many of them,
but really prefer the Coloriser Heat Tool.
Let's set up your area. I just lay down a large piece of scrap printer paper
(usually left over from something I printed out, but don't need anymore).
This scrap paper must be larger than the paper you're stamping on.
People also recommend a gentle swipe of a Bounce sheet or stamping
bag across your stamping surface, to allow for the embossing powder to
fall off the areas where you don't want it. I tend to use glossy paper to
begin with, and haven't had that problem.
So now all we do is: ink our stamp with pigment ink, press firmly (without
rocking) onto paper, sprinkle embossing powder all over image
completely. (These three steps need to be done relatively quickly, as you
don't want the ink to have a chance to dry before you get the embossing
powder on). Don't worry that you're using a ton of it to cover the image -
you'll get almost all of it back. Despite my numerous embossing projects, I
haven't come close to needing to buy a refill yet! Now, just like when you
were a kid, and using glitter on glue - simply try to pour the embossing
powder back into the jar. Let all that falls go onto your scrap paper that
you have waiting for it. I usually give my project a gentle tap to try to clear
all of the unwanted powder off. Then, I pick up my scrap paper, make a
crease to act as a funnel, and pour all of the powder back in the jar. It's
simple to heat the image. I have heard of people who needed to put down
a silicone sheet or craft sheet, to protect wood or plastic tables, but I just
turn on my heat gun, and begin melting the powder. You'll know when it's
heated, it'll change from crystals to a plastic look, oftentimes changing
from looking dull to looking shiny. Be careful not to overheat the
embossing powder, it will look burned or dull. Just slowly move the heat
gun over your embossing powder, once it begins to melt, move at that
speed to evenly emboss. Also, follow your heat gun's manufacturer's
guidelines. Never allow the heat gun to touch the embossing surface, and
hold your heat gun at the recommended height away from your project.
Now that you have a beautifully embossed image - let's take a look at
some of the things we can do to enhance it! I guess we have to talk
about painting them under the "paints" category - but something you'll
want to know: once you have an embossed image, most water based
paints will not affect it. Which means you can "paint inside the lines" with
ease. The color - especially watercolor, will sit inside the raised
embossed lines - making little windows for your colors!
try embossing. I've heard of people too afraid to try it, because they
thought it would be too hard or too messy. I don't find it to be either. If
you remember putting glitter on your art as a child, you'll know how to do
this. I was afraid to try it, for fear that I would love it and have to buy all
the stuff! Okay, I did end up doing that, but I started with some
Versamark, and some inexpensive powder from my local big box store,
and have been hooked ever since.
The only tools you need are: a stamp, pigment ink (or embossing pad),
any color embossing powder, and a heat gun. (A hair dyer won't work -
even though many of these guns look similar). I have tried many of them,
but really prefer the Coloriser Heat Tool.
Let's set up your area. I just lay down a large piece of scrap printer paper
(usually left over from something I printed out, but don't need anymore).
This scrap paper must be larger than the paper you're stamping on.
People also recommend a gentle swipe of a Bounce sheet or stamping
bag across your stamping surface, to allow for the embossing powder to
fall off the areas where you don't want it. I tend to use glossy paper to
begin with, and haven't had that problem.
So now all we do is: ink our stamp with pigment ink, press firmly (without
rocking) onto paper, sprinkle embossing powder all over image
completely. (These three steps need to be done relatively quickly, as you
don't want the ink to have a chance to dry before you get the embossing
powder on). Don't worry that you're using a ton of it to cover the image -
you'll get almost all of it back. Despite my numerous embossing projects, I
haven't come close to needing to buy a refill yet! Now, just like when you
were a kid, and using glitter on glue - simply try to pour the embossing
powder back into the jar. Let all that falls go onto your scrap paper that
you have waiting for it. I usually give my project a gentle tap to try to clear
all of the unwanted powder off. Then, I pick up my scrap paper, make a
crease to act as a funnel, and pour all of the powder back in the jar. It's
simple to heat the image. I have heard of people who needed to put down
a silicone sheet or craft sheet, to protect wood or plastic tables, but I just
turn on my heat gun, and begin melting the powder. You'll know when it's
heated, it'll change from crystals to a plastic look, oftentimes changing
from looking dull to looking shiny. Be careful not to overheat the
embossing powder, it will look burned or dull. Just slowly move the heat
gun over your embossing powder, once it begins to melt, move at that
speed to evenly emboss. Also, follow your heat gun's manufacturer's
guidelines. Never allow the heat gun to touch the embossing surface, and
hold your heat gun at the recommended height away from your project.
Now that you have a beautifully embossed image - let's take a look at
some of the things we can do to enhance it! I guess we have to talk
about painting them under the "paints" category - but something you'll
want to know: once you have an embossed image, most water based
paints will not affect it. Which means you can "paint inside the lines" with
ease. The color - especially watercolor, will sit inside the raised
embossed lines - making little windows for your colors!
Embossing