Vellum - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  For this month at Group of Seven Cardmakers, we are focussing on a product ... Vellum.  Specifically for this month, we are using Vellum with Embossing:  Dry, Heat, and Wet (embossing pastes or gels).  Vellum gives a wonderful dreamy look, but can also be used in many different ways.

Please check out the details for the product focus and link to videos on the blog ...

Group of Seven Cardmakers

Here's what I learned when I experimented with this technique ...

• I found using a thick vellum much easier, especially for Dry embossing.  Thinner vellums have a tendancy to crack and tear.
• The thicker vellum also helps limit the curl of the paper with heat embossing and wet embossing (embossing pastes or gels).
• When dry embossing with vellum, the design usually turns white when the paper is "stretched" by the embossing folder.  You can enhance the white using a stylus and mat if you want it more pronounced.
• Vellum is a bit tricky to adhere to cards because of it's semi-translucent nature.  Cut the vellum piece larger than needed and used the excess to folder over the sides to secure at the back.  Another way is to add a frame over top of the vellum, hiding the adhesives under the frame.  I found if you have a busy pattern (see card #4 below), you will not notice small lines of adhesive (it gets lost in the pattern).

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For my first card in today's post, I used a simple technique of dry embossing Vellum with an embossing folder (Gracious Leaves - Memory Box).  It's simple and quick, and the results are always beautiful with the embossed vellum.  I added a white die-cut of deers and torn hills for the snow.  The sentiment is Merry Messages (Lawn Fawn) stamped in Delicata Silver pigment ink.

Close-up ...

Then I made the same card, this time adding sponging of Distress Inks (Cracked Pistacio, Evergreen Bough, Pine Needles), to the back of the vellum before mounting it onto my card front.  Simply adding sponging completely changes the look of the card. :)

Sending the above card to Rudolph Days August Challenge.

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For this next card, I followed this video, which shows how to emboss vellum using a stylus and mat. 

I stamped my image in permanent ink onto thick vellum, flipped it over and placed on top of a sponge mat.  I used different sizes of stylus tips to add pressure in a circular motion to shape the two flower heads and one bud.  I went over the areas several times unti they were smooth and they image changed to white.  I fussy-cut my image and then placed it over a background from my stash (peacock blue re-inker with inka gold).  To finish, I popped up my panel and stamped a happy birthday sentiment in black ink.

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Next, I'm sharing a card using Heat Embossing on Vellum.  This is an awesome technique, created by the wonderfully talented Chrissie Stokes (Simply One of a Kind).  She has a few videos showing variations of this technique using vellum and heat embossing.  I followed this video.

Using the cling stamp Bejeweled (Penny Black), I stamped the image on the front of my vellum and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  I added more random bits of the image (always heat embossing in white), leaving lots of open space in the background.  I flipped the vellum over and stamped the same image several times (one of the whole image and more of bits and pieces).  This time the stamp was inked with Distress Inks:  Carved Pumpkin, Candied Apple, Lucky Clover.  After each stamping, I sprinkled the image with clear embossing powder and heat set.

The panel was mounted onto a card base, with a sentiment banner at the bottom.  Happy Birthday (Special Sentiments - Penny Black) was stamped in more of the Carved Pumpkin, with dashes of Candied Apple over top.  This card makes me happy.  It's so bright and cheerful. :)

Sending the above card to Seize the Birthday #290.

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And my last card uses Embossing Paste on Vellum.   I used the thick vellum again, and it warped slightly even though I taped it down well.  I think the texture adds to the overall design of the card, so I'm happy with it and will definitely use paste on vellum again.

I used an older stamp set from Simon Says Stamp (Bouquet of Thanks - retired), stamped in black ink and clear heat embossed.  I watercoloured with Distress Re-inkers (Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters) and die-cut with the matching die.  I placed it over the vellum, which is secured to my card base with sticky strips along the edge of the four sides of my base.  It doesn't show very must in real life because of the pattern of the stenciling and the texture of the vellum.  I added a simple white embossed sentiment (Endless Birthdays - SU! - retired) on black banner; then dots of black ink for the flower centers using micro pens.

Sending the above card to Die-cut Diva's August Challenge.  I've used Wet Embossing on this card. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1 & 2:

Stamps:  Merry Messages (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Vellum - Thick (Oplymio)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Cracked Pistacio, Evergreen Bough, Pine Needles (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Gracious Leaves Embossing Folder, sponges, 

Card #3:

Stamps:  Retired (Clearly Besotted); Everyday Messages (unknown)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Vellum - Thick (Oplymio)
Ink:   Peacock Feathers Distress Re-inkers; Black Archival (Ranger)
Accessories:   Stylus, Sponge Mat, Inka Gold Wax

Card #4:

Stamps:  Bouquet of Thanks (SSS); Endless Birthdays (SU! - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Nocturne (VersaFine Clair); Distress Re-inkers:  Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:   Wander & Find stencil - retired (Carta Bella); Embossing Paste (Golden), palette knife, Clear embossing powder (Ranger), watercolour paint brushes, White embossing powder (Ranger), micro black markers

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Vellum

Rudolph Days August Challenge

Seize the Birthday #290

Die-cut Divas August Challenge