Wednesday, August 28, 2024

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 ...
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

29 comments:

nancy littrell said...

OMG...Four absolutely Gorgeous cards using different Vellum techniques on each card:-) I have had only time to do all our gardening this Summer, but look forward to stamping again this Fall and Winter:-) Thank you so much Loll for all the inspiration....WOW!!!! Love and Hugs....Nancy

Julia Aston said...

All of your cards are beautiful Loll - each using a different vellum technique! - I think my fav is the white deer over the green inked embossing! Thanks for sharing all of you tips as well! Julia xx

brandco2450@gmail.com said...

These are magnificent! We don't use vellum enough!!!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Fabulous uses of vellum! Your STB card was #1 for me. Thanks for joining in at STB

HilaryJane said...

This is a real showcase. What amazing examples of the different things you can do with vellum. Thanks for the inspiration and all the tips xx

Bonnie said...

You have so many wonderful vellum techniques in this post, Lolly! I love the classy look of the white on white and love how the inking on the back changed the look into a different but equally awesome card! I've never tried the technique of your third card but I need to because it is awesome! I have one very similar to the next card and it is a well loved technique. You have saved the best for last with the added dimension of the paste and gorgeous flowers! Well done, my creative friend!

Christine Alexander said...

So many fabulous cards using vellum. I really want to try to paste on velum ♥

TK said...

Gorgeous cards, Loll! Each one is special and I'm loving all these techniques!

Susan said...

A wonderful selection of cards using different techniques. I love the first two and the way you did the same card but showed the difference with colouring the back of the vellum. I haven't tried the stylus technique but want to now that I've seen your results! The next card using Chrissie Stokes' technique is fabulous - the nicest one I've seen using that technique. Also must try using paste on vellum - yours turned out beautifully.

Julie B said...

Such a fab selection of cards demonstrating the techniques Loll, you've certainly given me a few ideas for upcoming projects. Love the hand embossed flower one, an oldie but a goodie and the colours behind the embossing brings the panels to life. :)

kiwimeskreations said...

What a wonderful selection of cards Loll - I love that you detail your 'learnings' from playing with the demonstrated techniques.
Blessings
Maxine

Bobby said...

What a fantastic collection of cards showing the different techniques with vellum, Loll. Your work is amazing and each card has something to ooh and aah over. I'm especially taken with the one that has the colored stamping on the back with the white on the front. I hope that the little bit of vellum I brought with me is thick enough to try some of these ideas.

Marcia Hill said...

All of these are absolutely GORGEOUS Loll! The 2 deer cards are so pretty and I love how adding the green to the back of the vellum on the 2nd card totally changes the look! Your 4th card is my favorite though...I love, LOVE the colors and it totally makes me happy too! Lovely, lovely cards my friend!! Hugs. :0)

Sandy said...

I feel like I won a contest seeing so many beautiful cards. I have to admit that my favorite is the very first card - white on white. So beautiful and so classic.
Sandy xx

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

WOW! truly inspirational. x

Nancy said...

Well, If this post isn't full of inspiration, I don't know what is. Both deer cards are classy and just stunning. Next we have the three birthday cards, the colors the designs are just perfect. The one you linked at Seize the Birthday is out of this world. Thanks so much for inspiring me once again and for supporting my challenges. Take care, Nanc'

Pat said...

You covered all the different techniques to use on vellum in these five fabulous cards Loll, and I love them all. Out of the first two scenes featuring the deer family I favour the one with the green background as it shows up the really beautiful embossing more clearly, but I think that seeing the white on white in a photo is not the same as in real life. I love the next with the added white work on the pretty flowers using a ball tool and really pops over that wonderful peacock blue and inka gold background. Another terrific look on the next double embossed..white on the front and those vibrant shades of orange and red with green on the back ..really gorgeous, and lastly the embossing paste through that lovely stencil, and the added flowers are gorgeous watercoloured and die cut and added over the top. x

Arlene said...

Each and everyone of these cards is absolutely beautiful, just incredible works of art. So glad you joined us at Die Cut Divas for our August Challenge to either dry or wet emboss.

My Paper Epiphany said...

Such a wonderful collection Loll! You've definitely inspired me:)

Nstiz said...

WOW!! Just WOW! These are SO impressive and just beautiful. Your creativity know no limits. These are fabulous, Loll. All of them are so perfectly done and eye appealing.

Cindy H. said...

Beautiful cards, all! I rarely use my vellum but after seeing your lovely cards I got some vellum out and proceeded to emboss a couple of sheets in an EF. Now I need to make a few cards - well at least one for now as I need a birthday card soon, lol. Thank you for sharing!

MUKat said...

Oh, thank you for such great inspiration with vellum. I love vellum on cards and these techniques are so creative. I need reminders on using it for sure. I now have a pinterest board entitled Vellum Techniques and your cards were the first to be saved on it! I will use them for inspiration for sure. I especially liked the color blending of the first card. Thank you, Loll.

foleysfriend said...

What a lovely collection of fabulous cards using vellum and embossing. Thank you for the inspiration to try this. Love the look of the paste on the vellum. The last card is gorgeous. Thanks for joining us at Die Cut Divas.

sue n.

shirley-bee said...

A truly inspirational array of cards, Loll! Your STB entry is beautiful, and is inspiring me to dig out my vellum. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Seize The Birthday 🥳

Helen said...

Beautiful collection of vellum cards - the colour you added to your second Christmas one is so effective.

Thanks for joining me at the Rudolph Days Challenge.

Helen x
DT

Leslie Miller said...

The vellum makes for such a soft and lovely effect in any technique for using it. Your cards are all beautiful, right down to the last drop!

Robyn Oliver said...

It's fabulous to be so inspired each month with the GoS - to have us thinking of and using products and techniques that have been forgotten. All your cards this month Loll are amazing, beautiful and inspiring - I can't pick just one they're all wonderful. Enjoy your day, hugs Robyn

JulieP said...

Your blog posts never disappoint. These are all so spectacular. I am very intrigued by your use of the stamped vellum overlay. Wowzers! Adding this to my "must try"! Thanks so much for playing with us once again at Seize the Birthday!

My Paper Epiphany said...

All so incredibly beautiful! The white on white is a real show-stopper!!!