Shaving Foam Backgrounds.

Although this is not a new technique it is having a bit of a revival. I first saw it in a Craft Stamper magazine about 4-5 years ago and had every intention of getting around to it, BUT never did.
As I have found out this can be a fun but messy technique and even though you think all pattern/ink are done, keep going because you get some lovely subtle marble effects. Great for toning matting/layering!
Here are a few simple examples of what I've made so far.

 This one is a second or third lift where the ink is still bright.

This one is probably around the tenth lift with no extra ink added. I also did a shadow effect on the tree.

The one below is a first impression but I also used a stencil.

I think bold line art complements these types of background, especially when stamped and heat embossed in black. You see the bold splash of colour with the simplicity of the line art. When stamping/embossing in a colour other than black it made the image disappear into the background and you didn't get the striking contrast.




Happy crafting

Yve

:)



 

Stamping on Acetate

Stamping on acetate is not as easy as stamping onto paper because of the static. Embossing powder clings to it something shocking.
When stamping onto acetate it is advisable not to just swipe the acetate with an antistatic bag where you are going to stamp, but to put a good amount of powder (French chalk/talc) down onto both sides of the acetate AND the sheet of copy paper that you are collecting the excess embossing powder on. You will then need to wipe the talc/French chalk off after you have heat set the embossing powder snowflakes.
Speaking of heat setting you need to be extra careful doing this as even heat resistant acetate will bend and buckle if you over heat.

TOP TIP. If you work with acetate a lot consider buying a box of OHP (overhead projector) acetate from a stationary store. (I use Staples). All these cards are stamped onto OHP acetate. It works just as well as heat resistant acetate.

This top one is stamped in pale blue using the

Creative Expressions – Bold Snowflake Stamp –UMS168.

It has then been decoupaged in white and then embellished with Silver stickles and crystal gems. The circular greeting on the back panel is one of my own computer graphics, mounted on matching tones of card and cut with Tonic layering circles.

 

The second one is simply stamped and embossed in white. The frost effect has been done using scrunched up wax paper and sandwiched between the front acetate and a separate panel of acetate behind. Again the greeting is  my own design.

 

 

 

 

Instructions for bottom card.

1) Using a light blue base card measuring 145mm x 145mm dust liberally with an antistatic bag.
2) Stamp and heat emboss using Versamark and clear embossing powder.
3) Randomly stamp again with Tumbled Glass and Stormy Skies Distress ink.
4)Dust again with the antistatic bag and stamp and heat emboss using silver embossing powder.
5)Distress using Peacock Feathers, Stormy Skies and Chipped Sapphire.
6) Buff to remove any excess ink off.
7) Cut the
Creative Expressions – Let it snow Die – CED3004 twice, once in silver and once in navy and offset them against each other to give a shadow effect.
8) Cut a lengthwise strip of acetate 298mm x 145mm and score in half to make a square card.
9) Liberally dust all surfaces (front, back, inside and copy paper) then stamp around the edges of the card front and heat emboss using white embossing powder.
10) Wipe away excess chalk/talc with a damp microfiber cloth.
11) Assemble card by gluing the 'Let it snow' greeting to the distressed inner and then fix both to the inside of the acetate.
12) add clear crystal jewels to the centre of the snowflake.
13) if desired place a backing sheet to the back of the card to cover any adhesive and for the personalized message.

Happy crafting

Yve. :)