Throwback Thursday – Embossed Foil Card

I haven’t done a Throwback Thursday for quite a while.  Today’s card features a technique from October 2011 called Embossed Metal Technique.  The older card used Jack of All Trades stamp set and the web embossing folder plus some accent images from Spooky Bits stamp set.  The metal on this card was a thick and sturdy piece of craft metal.

For my new card, I wanted to feature more of the embossed piece, but didn’t have a thick piece of craft metal at the ready so I used aluminum foil instead.  You do need to be careful to not tear the larger piece, but it is quite economical and sure to be found in your cupboard.  I went to our lovely Woodlands embossing folder for this card plus I used the Peace This Christmas stamp set.

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Nail Polish Technique

Starting off with a bang, I have a card created last month using the Nail Polish Technique.  I’ve known about this technique for years, but just didn’t have the gumption to try it.  My stampers LOVED it – and everyone’s background came out different.  *WARNING – it is messy.  Please protect your hands, countertops, etc.

Here is the card:

I was thinking of Father’s Day when we created these cards.  Men and nail polish, crazy right? Kind of cool that is Flag Day too with the patriotic colors scheme.

I usually keep my Technique Tuesday cards pretty simple as I want to show off the technique.  I do love the star theme though!

Here are the supplies you need for the Nail Polish Technique:

• Throw-Away Container
• Water
• Throw-Away Stirrer (chopstick/plastic knife/drinking straw)
• Nail Polish (2-3 colors)
• Watercolor Paper
• Nail Polish Remover
• Gloves/Scrap Paper (DEFINITELY USE GLOVES)

Here are the instructions for the Nail Polish Technique:

• Fill container about 1/3 full of water.
• Prepare your work area – protect surfaces and hands.
• Drizzle in a few drops of nail polish, one color at a time.  Do not take too long.  Briefly stir colors.
• Dip watercolor paper in to container and leave on top for about 2-3 seconds.  Check what is left on the watercolor paper.  If you want more design, dip again.
• Take out of container and let dry.  If it curls, keep it under a heavy book once it is dried.

Use as a background on a card or tag or even for a scrapbook page.

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Saying Goodbye to Stampin’ Around Wheels

One of the true staples of the Stampin’ Up! catalog over the years is the Stampin’ Around wheel system.  It is almost unthinkable that they will soon be only a memory!

I’ve had a few techniques that use the wheel, but they always get pushed to the next month…then the next month…and so on.  Well, this week, it was time to pull out my wheel techniques and finally share them with my stampers.

I actually showed two techniques.  The first technique I taught was how to take the rubber off the wheel and convert it to a traditional stamp.  All you need is a sharp scissors and cling foam.  You peel off the rubber, cut the cling foam to size, and attach them together.  Voila!  You now have a traditional stamp.  The “I” block is the perfect size for our wheel “stamps”.  You do need to trim a bit off, but it is a great size to use with cards etc.

I’ll try and add more pictures to this post later to show this more clearly.

However, the other technique truly is a recycler’s dream.

What to do with the “leftover” plastic wheels?  Why not make them into mini or jumbo brayers?

You do need to get the excess glue off the wheel blank after removing the rubber.  Goo-Gone is perfect for this!  Once you get off the glue, make sure you clean the wheel blank.  There is a seam on the blank, but it only adds to the texture you will create.  Now all you need is an inkpad and some neutral card stock.  I found that the newer foam pads work best with this technique.

Ink up your wheel blank and roll over the neutral card stock.  Start with a lighter touch – you can always add more ink layers.  Use as a background!  This is a perfect background especially for intricate designs like Swallowtail.  Here is the card my stampers made:

If you want to do a two-color background, make sure you use the lighter shade first.  We used Coastal Cabana for the background and Baked Brown Sugar for the main image.

If you have some older wheels just taking up room, why not convert them to stamps and use the wheel blank for something new?

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For the Birds Acrylic Block Taping Technique

Last night, I taught this super easy technique to my customers at my monthly Technique Tuesday class.  The technique is acrylic block taping.  Here is how I prepped my acrylic block:

My husband and kids do a lot of vehicle painting (snowmobiles, go karts, etc.) so I did have LOTS of taping options.  You can use basic masking tape and either cut or tear off the right widths for your project. 

I inked the taped block in WIld Wasabi and stamped on Certainly Celery card stock.  This is the finished card:

I am loving this new For the Birds stamp set.  It's just stinking cute!

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