Sunday, June 27, 2010

Book Study - Radiant Batik

We are doing a book study of Julia Andrus' book "Paper Transformed" on the NGS group. This week we're looking at the section on Radiant Batik.
First stamp an image on card stock with embossing ink, sprinkle on clear embossing powder and heat set until glossy.
Then lightly mist the paper with water and crumple.
Then paint over the embossing with water based pigments like watercolors, dye inks or water based makers. Julia notes if using water based markers to spray the paper with water and then color.
Mix Perfect Pearls with water to form a creamy paint and brush on over the entire piece. I used Perfect Gold perfect pearls.
Wipe the paint off the embossing.
Place embossed piece between two pieces of newsprint or light weight paper, embossed side up and iron on a medium setting. The newsprint will absorb the embossing as it melts.
I'm wondering if this would have shown up better if I'd used a stamp with a bolder image.
I also tried this technique with blue water color paint and Perfect Bronze perfect pearls over a piece of sheet music. I think I might of used too much perfect pearls in my paste.

Rainbow Batik Quilt

I finally was able to get time on the long arm machine and finish this quilt. I love the bright

colors. It is now brightening up the day bed in the office.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Book Study - Lapis Lazuli

On NGS group, we are studying Julia Andrus' book "Paper Transformed", this week we are studying the section "Lapis Lazuli". This technique uses alcohol inks to imitate the look of Lapis Lazuli. Drizzle three shades of blue alcohol inks on to a felt applicator and pounce over glossy paper.
Let dry and repeat two more times. On the third time, add a small amount of brown alcohol ink.
Place gold alcohol ink on a toothbrush and platter the paper with a fine splatter of gold flecks.
I love the look of this one:

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Decorated Heart Swap

I've signed up for a swap on Art-Ventures the only requirements are "you can make anything at all so long as its heart shaped...any media at all - metal, shrinky plastic, wood, shipboard, fabric...but it must be an actual heart in shape and be decorated". I decided to play with fabric, ribbons, lines, buttons, etc. I've been inspired by Yitte's creations.
I started with "string" quilting the lower half. And on top of the heart, applique linens over quilted muslin. Sewed eyelet ribbon around the heart and added some decorative ribbon in the middle.
Made wings by sewing decorative lace over muslin, added a key to make a "butterfly". Added paper flowers, beads, buttons, keyhole charm and printed ribbon.
Hope my swap partner will like it.

Book Study - Tortoiseshell

On NGS group we are doing a book study of Julia Andrus' book "Paper Transformed". This week we're looking at the section "Tortoiseshell". This technique uses alcohol inks to imitate the look of tortoiseshell. Drizzle brown alcohol ink onto a felt applicator and lightly pounce over glossy paper.
Drizzle ochre (or orange) and black alcohol inks on to the same applicator and pounce all over the paper again.
Use a clean felt applicator and drizzle it with blending solution. Lightly pounce over a few places to create some faded spots.

My sheet was fairly light, so I went back and pounced on some more brown, orange and black alcohol inks.

Bamboo Tile Necklace


We made these at stamp club this week. Alcohol inks on bamboo tile. Glued on small strip of washi paper and a small dragonfly charm. Strung on hemp and beads. Fun!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Contrast ATCs

Made ATC for a swap with the theme "Contrast". Darkened black card stock with black Distress ink, ran through a Cuttlebug embossing folder and colored the raised areas with Lightening Black Brilliance ink.
Ran white card stock through a different Cuttlebug embossing folder and colored the raised areas with spun sugar Distress ink.
Cut the card stocks on the diagonal and adhered to an ATC back. Made an image out of two playing cards spliced together and the spade side darkened.
Added white lace flowers to the "light" side and a black/gold paper flower colored to look metallic and a dark metal corner piece to the "heavy" side.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Book Study - Faux Sea Glass

On NGS group, we're doing a book study on Julia Andrus' book "Paper Transformed". This week we're looking at the section "Faux Sea Glass". This project is very similar to the "Cosmo Paper" Technique we did earlier. Color mat board with inks, watercolors or colored pencils.
Next, coat the surface with clear embossing ink, Perfect Medium, or VersaMark ink and coat with clear Embossing Enamel (UTEE or Opals), heat to melt embossing enamel(EE). While the EE is melted sprinkle on another layer of EE and heat. Repeat one more time and let cool completely.
Coat the cool surface with clear embossing ink, Perfect Medium or VersaMark ink and lightly brush on Perfect Pearls.
Julia instructs us to sprinkle EE on top of the Perfect Pearls layer and begin heating from a distance so the embossing powder won't blow away. I decided to lightly heat the Perfect Pearls layer to melt the EE that was already there, then sprinkle on more EE and heat. Remove the heat and immediately spray with water to pit the surface.
Here's the piece finished:
And on an angle, I don't see the pits, maybe it's because I used Franklin Opal instead of UTEE.
I made some more. Picture before adding Perfect Pearls.
To the one on the left I added Forever Green, Kiwi and Copper Perfect Pearls. To the middle one I added Raspberry Sparkle, Plum and Copper Perfect Pearls. To the one on the left I added assorted Perfect Pearls that have spilled in my drawer.