Showing posts with label embossing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label embossing. Show all posts

Monday, 1 February 2010

Butterfly Tutorial - Magic Boxes

Thank you all for your heart warming comments.
I'm completely overwhelmed by your response to my blog candy. I'm now thinking that perhaps I should have only run it for a couple of weeks!

Quite a few have asked for a butterfly tutorial and as it links nicely to the blog candy - here goes...... 


I used a butterfly stamp I designed myself and stamped onto lightweight card using VersaFine Onyx Black then embossed with clear embossing powder.


Here's a list of what I used to colour them:
A) Sakura Black Gel Pen
B) Black marker Pen - I used Marvy Le Plume but any will do
C) Purple marker pen (any)
D) Blender Pen
E) Twinkling H2Os - Sky Blue
F) Watercolour brush


And here's what to do: 

 
1) Stamp the butterfly using Versafine and emboss with clear embossing powder - nine times.
It's a good thing to brush the card with an anti-static bag beforehand - this ensures the powder only sticks to your image.
2) Cut the butterflies out. If you're not happy cutting round the antennae a fine slither of black card folded in half and glued to the back of the body works just as well.


To stamp the reverse:
3) Ink the stamp again and carefully position the blank side of the butterfly onto the stamp
4) Firm it down using a second acrylic block or something smooth and flat like a glass coaster. Don't worry too much about achieving a perfectly aligned image, just do the best you can and I'll show you later how to 'cheat' it good.


On the embossed (top) side:
5) Run the purple marker pen round the outer edge of the butterfly's wings
6) Blend using the blender pen 
7) Dot purple round the outer edge again
8) Use the blender pen to soften the edges of your dots. These butterflies look more three dimensional if you don't colour in one solid colour. Make your first colour fade towards the body.


9) Colour the next section of the wings using Twinkling H2Os (Sky Blue) - applying it with a brush and not completely filling the areas to the edge.
10) Blend out using the blender pen.


Turn the butterfly over to the reverse side (not embossed)
11) Here's your chance to correct any wobbly stamping (on the reverse) - in stages 1 & 2.
12) Run the black marker pen round the edges of the butterfly - to cover any blank or missed areas
13) Tint colour across the surface, similar to the colours used on the front. This doesn't need to be perfect - it's only a hint so the underside isn't glaringly bare!


Turn the butterfly over again (embossed side up) to finish the top detailing
14) Now using the Sakura black gel pen draw round the top edges of the butterfly wings, the antennae and the body markings
15) To finish colouring - run the black marker pen round the very outer edges of the butterfly - otherwise these are white and very visible in the explosion.

Dare I say it? GLITTER


Even if you're not a glitter person glitter makes the explosion more dramatic - it catches and plays with the light as the butterflies dance, highlighting and drawing attention to their every flutter.
Glitter colours used on this box are:
A) Crystal (in the blog candy)
B) Black holographic (in the blog candy)
If you have no other colours these will cover every need - Crystal allows any underlying colour to shine through and black holographic is dark and rich, it makes a bold statement 'fizzing and sparkling' like fireworks in a midnight sky.
C) Is a colour I mixed myself. I had blue (which was not very exciting) and mixed crystal into it. Crystal glitter made it more sparkly and a little bit translucent so the underlying colour still hints through.


16) Apply fine lines of 'dries clear' glue on some, but not all, of the purple wing areas and sprinkle with crystal glitter.
17) Allow to dry then brush off any surplus glitter (be tough with the brushing). Always start with your lightest glitter and work to your darkest being last.


18) Apply fine lines of glue to the blue areas (not all) and the body (dots only) and sprinkle with the blue glitter mix, or crystal again.
19) Allow to dry and brush off the loose glitter.


20) Apply fine lines of glue to the body and curves of glue to the wing edges.
21) Sprinkle with black holographic. Allow to dry then brush loose glitter off.
note: I dotted glitter on the wing edges of the blog candy butterflies. Curves are much better so I'll be putting that right! When glittering always try to compliment the lines of the image.

Shaping the butterflies:
Gently curve the wings by placing your thumb on top and index finger underneath, one wing at a time. Pinch and move your finger to the wing edges several times. This warms the card and 'bows' the wings. Take your time and don't force it, rushing this stage causes creases to form.

Place your thumbnail along either edge of the body and fold the wings upwards.

Attaching to the acetate:
I attach them to the acetate using 'What Glue' by Jomil. It's a 'dries clear' all purpose glue. Apply to both surfaces and just before it dries fully clear press both surfaces together - it grabs like a magnet. This glue dries flexible so it has a much stronger bond when the butterflies are exploding from the box. 

That's it.

Hope it all makes sense!

Saturday, 9 May 2009

Origami Box shown on Create and Craft TV

Here's the origami box I made for Phyllis for her Create & Craft TV Show.
It's being shown again on Wednesday May 13th at 1.00pm UK time 'EAZI Crafting with Phyllis'.
I also made a butterfly magic box and will be posting pics soon.

I weighted the lid with black glass beads from an old, broken necklace I had. One instance where never throwing anything away paid off!

I stamped in VersaFine Onyx Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.
The edges were tinted using the same VersaFine ink and Tim Holtz's (my Hero) blending tool & felt pads. Phyllis demonstrates this technique brilliantly on her show.
I finished off by running a chunky, permanent black marker round the edge.
I wanted a rich, Gothic feel to this box.

I added panels inside, black card stamped in VersMark Clear ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.

Couldn't resist adding red acrylic gems as a final touch!


Thanks for visiting.

Friday, 20 February 2009

Exploding Box - India

This box was commissioned by Mark, for his wife Kate. He was quite clear that her passion was travel and especially India.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE MORE DETAIL

The arched 'doorways' were cut using the Sizzix small tag die.

The background stamps I made myself. They were based on ceremonial henna (mehndi) hand paintings

more very soon...


Thanks for stopping by.

Saturday, 14 February 2009

Exploding Box - Firefly

I know they're dragonflies but I wanted the impression of fireflies in a ferny woodland.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE MORE DETAIL


This is a very small box. The closed measurements are: 1.75" square by just under 3" tall.

I actually managed to resist using glitter (it was very hard for me). I used amber gemstone accents and gold holographic mounts to give the 'fiery' illusion.


The stamping technique is one of my favourites:

  • I started with a light green background and stamped my first fern using VersaMark clear ink then embossed with clear powder.

  • I then inked over the whole thing with VersaColor Fresh Green and gently cleaned the ink off the clear embossing.

  • I stamped the fern again in VersaColor Green Tea (no embossing this time).

  • After the ink had dried I stamped the fern one more time, using VersaColor Evergreen (again no embossing).

  • When dry I finished by inking over the whole thing with VersaColor Bamboo and a small amount of Evergreen.
It's my favourite technique because the result is very three dimensional.

The stamps I used:
  • Stampabilities - Dragonfly & Stampendous - Summer Leaves (Fern).

I have a tutorial for this size box on my Gallery site. Here's the link: http://www.magic-boxes.com/smallbutterflybox.htm

The tutorial is in metric but for those of you who work in feet and inches there is a link, to a printable ruler with both centimetres and inches, at the top of the tutorial page.

Thank you for visiting.

Thursday, 29 January 2009

Dragonfly Joy - Origami Box

This origami box folding is taking me over I think!
Using UK A4 squared makes a perfect gift box size (37cm or 3.5" approx).
I really wanted to incorporate some of the elements of my exploding boxes with this one, it's for a friend.

  • Inner Lid:
    I wanted a nice message inside the lid and found Hero Arts 'Happiness Messages' fitted the bill! I stamped in VersMark clear embossing ink and embossed with gold.
  • 'Black on Black embossing':
    Here I used Perfectly Clear 'Leafy Silhouettes' stamped with a VersMark clear ink pad and embossed with clear embossing powder.
  • Decorative Panels & Box Lining:
    I used a base of lime green card and tinted it with VersaColor Evergreen and Lagoon Blue inks. I then stamped Stampendous 'Summer Leaves' (the fern) using VersaColor Evergreen.
    I finished with green ultra-fine glitter highlights.
  • Dragonfly:
    The dragonfly is punched - Paper Shapers Whale of a Punch 'Dragonfly' then highlighted with ultra-fine glitter.

Click here -Tutorial now posted

Thanks for stopping by

Monday, 26 January 2009

Origami Box


This was a 'New Technique Challenge' on Splitcoast stampers. The box is constructed using an origami fold - no glue - so clever!!!
The wrap round lid is glued.


I followed Lynn's instructions and it was surprisingly straight forward.

I had just received some 12 x 12 papers - Papermania 'Scrumptious' and had to have a go.

The flower in the centre is made from three die cuts - Sizzix 'Flower #1' die. I tinted the petals with VersaColor inks, Petal Pink and Opera Pink then rolled the cut-outs together gluing as I went along.

Click here -Tutorial now posted
 
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