Embossing, more specifically... Heat Embossing.

I love texture and two of the best ways to get texture on your paper project is by embossing. In the samples below, I have used both Distress Embossing powder and Clear embossing powder to heat emboss on to the tags. There is another form of embossing, most commonly achieved when using embossing folders  or in the case of Tim Holtz and Sizzix, Texture Fades. For today, we are going to focus on the 1st method that requires ink, embossing powder and a heat tool. No, a hair dryer will not work.

The tag with the wings on it  was accomplished by stamping with Distress Ink and using Distress Embossing Powder. You probably cannot see it in the photo but the wings have a rough texture and a matte finish.
In the previous post you can see another sample of Distress embossing powder on the Enjoy the Journey tag,
 What gives the finish that rough texture is the release crystals that are in the embossing powder. Class attendees will find out more about this and all Ranger embossing powders during the workshop at The Papercraft Cafe next weekend.

In the tag to the left, I have achieved a rustic enamel finish buy using Distress inks and clear embossing powder. This is one of my favourites and I could play with this technique for hours. It is also a resist technique, since the embossed powder will resist ink applied in the final stage, the ink only goes where the embossing powder has not. Confused? Don't worry, this technique is super simple to achieve and part of the workshop. Again, you cannot "feel" the texture by looking at the photo but wait to you see it and feel it at class. There are so many great ways to use this technique.
Hmmm, maybe I will go and play and see what samples I can create for you for next post.
Hope to see you at The Papercraft Cafe on National Scrapbook Day.

A reminder to interested students, please contact the store as soon as possible to reserve your spot. Details for this workshop and the layout class are on The Papercraft Cafe blog.

Distress Inks, 36 colours and counting!

That is right, 36 colours of Distress Inks not including the limited edition sets. With the latest Spring release you can add 9 more colours to the palette. That makes 45. These are a unique dye based ink, designed to be able to blend and retain their colour integrity when wet. They are quick to dry and yet they are not. What other dye based ink can you emboss with? In the samples shown you can see a couple of basic techniques but there are so many ways to use them. Once you have a chance to play with the inks, you will see that they are more that just a way to colour the edges of your papers. In the two tags shown below, Distress Inks have been used in conjunction with Distress Embossing Powders and Distress Crackle Paint.

Join me this National Scrapbook Day, May 5-6 weekend at The Papercraft Cafe to explore some of the many ways you can create with this most amazing product line.

Dye based inks and Pigment based inks.

Like with just about every task, choosing the right tools is important. Such is the case with inks. You need to choose the right ink for the job. For the most part, inks fall into two major categories: dye and pigment based inks. Each ink performs differently and are good for achieving varied results. In the samples below, you can see samples of both types of inks used on the tags. In order to find out what ones are used where, well... you just might have to come to the class. :-)
Hope to see you at The Papercraft Cafe.

 

 

Time Slips Away, National Scrapbook Day layout

 I have always been a huge Basic Grey fan. When I first started scrapbooking almost 7 years ago, it was  the paper company I was most attracted to. There has been many companies that I have been drawn to since then, but there is nothing quite like your first love. 

As mentioned in the last blog post, I am heading to The Papercraft Cafe for my 3rd visit to do two classes with the fantastic ladies in Kingsville. For the layout class I have chosen to use papers from the sublime collection. There were some in my stash (yes I may have just about every collection of BG papers right from the beginning) and I was able to get more from BG to do this texture filled class.

There is lots of embossing with a few different type of embossing powders, some stamping and a ton of die cutting. You may recognize many of the Tim Holtz Alterations dies and then there is the Sizzix Circle Framelit  die set. For the larger circle, once again feeling nostalgic, I used my Coluzzle circle template. This tool has unfortunately been discontinued but any circle cutter will work. Add a bit of stitching and you have an action packed 3 hour class.

For those of you not in the Kingsville area on May 5TH & 6TH, this class will be offered once again in  Mississauga. Students on my mailing list will get an email with details or you can contact me at tiggerntaz@rogers.com.

The second class at The Papercraft Cafe will be a techniques based class. In this class students will have an opportunity to  play with many  of the inks, paints and embossing powders that are part of the Ranger Ink  product line. Stay tuned for samples and sneak peeks for this class in upcoming (possibly even later this afternoon) posts.

 Don't worry local gals, this second class will be available to you in the near future. I just need to find some time, maybe as early as June. Once again, stay tuned. There is lots happening here in the coming weeks.

Vintage in the best possible way.

I have been trying to pick the perfect papers for an upcoming class I am doing at The Papercraft Cafe in Kingsville, ON on National Scrapbook Day. There is lots to choose from as there are some amazing companies doing some really fantastic collections. But I wanted Vintage. Sure there are some Vintagey collections out there but... I have a certain vision in my head.
So I am cruising through my vast stash of papers and I hit upon a few faves from the good old days. Back in the day when Basic Grey was the new kid on the block and I was just discovering scrapbooking. Those were the days my friends! I loved these papers then and I must say I love them just as much if not more now.
I came across 4 collections, what BG now classifies as Vintage and all of these are just perfect for my upcoming classes. So now I wait as I have submitted my order and am just waiting confirmation. Keep your fingers crossed for me as I really want these now that I have found them again.
Do you remember Sublime? How about Vagabond, Phresh or Fusion?

I must have purchased extra of these papers as I have pretty much full collections of each. Either that or I have been hoarding them for just such an occasion. I have a few songs running through my head, one by Willie Nelson "Funny How Time Just Slips Away" is on repeat and won't leave me alone. I might have to use it for the Title on the 2 page layout.

There will be two classes at Papercraft Cafe on May 5th and 6th. A 2 page layout and an altered cigar box. Both projects will include pieces from the Vintaj jewelry collection. These pieces are perfect as embellishments but are also jewelry pieces. If you are not familiar with this company, you may want to check out their website and blog. You can follow them on Facebook too. What is super cool about the Vintaj brass pieces is that they can be embossed using special embossing folders from Sizzix. How cool is that?

Stay tuned. I will be posting sneak peaks here on my blog. Now I need to go back to creating the projects.

Are you going to Scrapfest?

It is just 8 days away. As always, the Spring event is held in Kitchener. Crop starts Friday afternoon and goes through to Saturday. I will be doing make-n-takes on Friday from 2:30 to 4PM and on Saturday from 11AM to 12:30PM. This year my project has been sponsored by Basic Grey and it will feature papers and embellishments from their latest collections. Croppers will be able to create 1- 8x8 page layout using papers from the 6x6 paper pad and an assortment of embellishments. Feel free to bring a photo with you, preferably no bigger than a 4x6. You will be able to look through samples to see how you can create a quick and easy album with one paper pad and a few packs of their embellishments.
As an alternative, card makers can choose to create a card front using these same papers.

I am also going to bring some of the new Spectrum Noir alcohol markers for you to try. These markers will soon be available in paper crafting stores near you. The best thing about these markers is that they cost a fraction of the price as those other markers. Spectrum Noir will sell to Canadian consumers for around $2.00 each!
(If your store does not carry these markers yet, you can ask them to contact me.)

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Scrapfest.