Monday, May 21, 2018

Revisiting an old technique

Hi everyone.  I'm currently at a craft retreat with five wonderful stamping friends.  We are having a week together getting inky and having lots of laughs. :)  Today's card is just one of the many techniques we are playing with this week.

This technique that has been around for a long time, but believe this is the first time for me to give it a try.

Several years ago I bought this flower embossing folder from Stampin' Up! and honestly didn't use it very much.  It has sat waiting for me and when I was researching embossing folder techniques (which is one of the set of techniques I am leading at the craft retreat), I found this idea and decided to play a bit.  I'm happy with the results and am now looking a my embossing folders in a new way, and wanting to buy more. :)

First, I embossed a piece of watercolour paper with my flower folder.  Then using a brayer (or you could use a flat sponge, but it is a little more difficult), inked up the brayer with versamark and lightly ran it over the embossed image, catching the high spots of the design.  Sprinkled clear embossing powder and heat set.  This ensures I have a crisp outline of my image.

I then watercoloured with distress inks.  This time I only used Abandoned Coral, adding two layers of ink to create shaded areas.  Stamped the sentiment several times with the same colour ink to get a good impression.

Here's a close-up ...
I hope you'll give this technique a try.

Stamps:   Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Watercolour Paper (Arches 140 lb. Hot Press)
Ink:  Versamark; Distress Ink:  Abandoned Coral
Accessories & Tools:  Manhattan Flower embossing folder? (SU!), clear embossing powder, heat tool, waterbrush

43 comments:

Trina P. said...

Wow, so beautiful, Loll! Awesome job with this technique and gorgeous watercoloring as always. xx

Marianne said...

Just gorgeous, Loll!
Sounds wonderful to be spending crafty time with crafty friends. Enjoy!
Marianne x

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

GORGEOUS!
Faith

BożenA said...

Loll, this is amazing! He loves your delicate and beautiful roses. WOW !!
Hugs,
BożenA

Linda said...

WOW!!! I've got this embossing folder (never use it!) but I have to give this a try.... this looks stunning! Enjoy your crafty week .... wish I was there with you xx

Betty said...

beautiful card, Loll - never heard of or even tried this technique - think i have that embossing folder too - must give this a try!!

Nstiz said...

All your cards are wow cards, Loll but this one- is a HUGE WOW! This is spectacular! Just WOW! It's so perfectly painted and shaded. Did I say WOW?

Jeanne H said...

Lovely card and thanks for the reminder to use older goodies. I'll dig my EF like this out! Have a great time with your friends!

Vicki Dutcher said...

This is so pretty! You rocked the technique. So, who r u stamping with?

Preeti D. (aka Dutt Preety) said...

Gorgeous card :)

Susan said...

Your roses turned out so well - love the soft colouring and the way you got two lovely shades out of one colour!

Ina G said...

Gorgeous Loll. I have that ef as do a few others here. Love it. Beautiful colour choice and blending. The corner rounding adds so much to this lovely card. Enjoy your play time.

Sue - said...

Wow that is so beautiful!

Julie B said...

This is so pretty. Enjoy your retreat, I'm so jealous! :)

Jeanne said...

Lovely card! Those roses are so pretty. I'm so happy to hear you are having such a grand time with your crafty friends. Thanks for sharing this technique. :)

Amy Seigler said...

This is just Beautiful! I hope you enjoy your week with your friends! I will have to try this old technique. It's results are just breathtaking!

JosieD said...

What a lovely card! So classy and elegant. Like the EF technique you used and am eager to try it. A wonderful idea to put some fave EF's to use. And your always beautiful watercoloring....just the right touches for those gorgeous roses.

Brenda in IN said...

Just beautiful and a very cool technique. This is one I can't wait to try. Your card is just lovely.

Anita in France said...

Beautiful, Loll ... such a great technique ... and what impact! Great to hear you're all having so much fun! Hugs, Anita :)

Christine Alexander said...

so beautiful Loll, your watercolouring is wonderful. Amazing depth of colour in the petals.

Bobbie Bluegill said...

Lovely card. This may be an old technique, but it is new to me. Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful time at your retreat.

Liz said...

Beautiful card, Loll, this technique is so effective. I'll be looking at my embossing folder in a different way too now! xx

Patti said...

Truly stunning Loll!! I wish I owned THAT EF but I will be looking at mine to see if I have any that could create a card even HALF as pretty as yours : )

Mac Mable said...

Always fun to try out 'new to you' techniques and especially with crafting friends x Stunning result and so pretty. I have never tried this technique before either, but I will now! I too don't use embossing folders often but this idea will extend them even further.... Great too to only use the one colour of ink. Very special and eye catching card Loll x

Bonnie said...

This is gorgeous, Loll! Love the soft watercoloring and the white embossing really sets it off! Another technique to try!

Papercraft Boutique said...

Wow, this is so elegant, Loll! I didn't know this embossing folder technique. Now I have something new to add to my wish-to-do list. What makes this card so special is your watercolouring. It's amazing that you did the beautiful shading using only one colour! Rounding the top corner is a nice touch too. Hideko xx

Robin6 said...

This a way to use the folders I did not know what to do with. Thank you for the idea.

Jo said...

Must try this technique. That is one awesome rose card, loving all the nuances of pink, perfectly dosed. Beautiful! xx

Bev Chapman said...

Gorgeous!

Bobby said...

That is one beautiful embossing folder, Loll, and perfect for the technique. The watercoloring is wonderful.

Cathy said...

Beautiful card Loll, I have this ef (2nd hand purchase) and you've inspired me to try something new with it, Cathy x

Susanne Vargas said...

This card is gorgeous! What a lovely embossing folder! Haven't tried this technique but it sounds intriguing!

Quillish said...

Wow..Wow.. fabulous technique and I may buy an embossing folder just because of this technique!

MaryH said...

Just gorgeous! I have that folder too, and this sounds like a nifty technique to try. The rose is so beautiful, but then your watercoloring skills are pretty accomplished too! It's a stunning card. TFS

Daria said...

This is so beautiful. I too bought this gorgeous embossing folder and have not used it. Thank you for reminding me of how beautiful it can be.

jn said...

Just saw this on Pinterest. How beautiful !! Can't wait to give this a try....thanks for the great idea !

JoAnn said...

Wow, this is beautiful. Love the pretty flowers. Thanks for sharing this technique.

Cat Craig said...

cool technique, Darnell sent me over.

Barb Ghig said...

Somehow I missed this post, so I'm really glad Darnell linked us to it...your roses are absolutely STUNNING, Loll! Your color palette is so elegant and it's perfect for these gorgeous roses! Thanks so much for inspiring me to try this technique...I'll bet you girls had a blast on your retreat :)

Laura's Craft Closet said...

I've also rediscovered this embossing folder. I didn't know what to do with it, and have been playing a bit with it. I love what you did using watercoloring paper! <3

Conniecrafter said...

Beautiful, love the shading!

Wendell said...

That is so beautiful loll. Love your posts ❤️

Yvonne Mills said...

WOW you have really made this embossing folder design POP. This is a new technique for me, will have to look at my embossing folders closer , and give it a go.
Thankyou for sharing it with others