Technique Tips The Technique Tips are here to give you a brief overview of different techniques. As with the Glossary, this is an ever growing list and if you have something you would like to add or see listed, please let us know.
Chalking
The application of dry, powdered chalk to paper or card. This can be done using a sponge wedge, a cotton bud or your finger.
Distressing
Used to age a piece of work. Use a sponge wedge or a piece of Cut ‘n’ Dry Foam and pat this on the surface of your chosen ink pad. Apply this to the edges of your card, bringing the colour towards the centre in a circular motion to give a soft, faded look. You are not aiming to completely cover the card with colour. You can also spritz the card lightly with water which will cause the colour to bleed. Leave to dry or use a heat tool to speed things up.
Embossing
The process of creating a 3D raised image or design by using embossing powder, an embossing ink pad and a heat tool. The image can be made by using a stamp and embossing ink pad. A design or wording can be done using an embossing pen. Then the embossing powder is sprinkled over the design, the excess powder is tapped off and heat is applied with a heat tool. The excess powder is returned to the container for future use. Once the powder turns shiny, the embossing process is complete. Overheating will cause the design to sink into the paper or card.
Eyelet Setting
Use a hole punch to make an appropriate sized hole, insert an eyelet into the hole and turn it all over to the reverse. Position an eyelet setter into the back of the eyelet and tap it a few times with a hammer to flatten out the prongs. Remove the setter and further flatten the prongs with another tap of the hammer. Alternatively you can use the Crop-A-Dile, which is a complete tool on it’s own!
 
 
Masking
If you want to create the impression of one image being behind another, you need to master masking. Stamp a second image (the same as the one on your card) onto a Post-It Note. Cut it out carefully. Place this over the same image on your card, to cover it up. Overstamp this with whatever you wish to be ‘behind’ the first image, then remove the mask to see the results!
Matting
Layering a piece of card or paper over another leaving a narrow border all round, e.g a 5cm square attached over a 5.5cm piece of card. Sponging
Dab a sponge onto the surface of an ink pad to pick up colour, then use this to apply the colour to card. This can be done with a light circular motion, a dabbing motion or by dragging the sponge on the card. Each will give a different result. Stamping
Pat a stamp onto an ink pad to pick up the colour, then press it firmly onto card, paper or other surface and lift it straight up to give you a clear impression. Use different inks for different surfaces and techniques. Dye based inks for quick dry, no run impressions, pigment inks on non-glossy card and for embossing over, fabric inks on textiles etc.
Shrink Plastic
A medium that, when heated, shrinks to around 45% of the orginal size. Great for stamping on! Cut out the image and heat, on a heatproof surface, using a heat tool. The plastic contorts, but keep heating until it stops. Some brands need sanding with a fine sandpaper, others come pre-sanded. Permanent inks work well on shrink plastic.
Tearing
Sounds simple, but there are a few ways to do this! On handmade papers, draw a line of water with a paintbrush along where you want to tear. Then gently pull the paper apart along the line for a pretty feathery finish. On card, make a small tear at one end to start you off, then tear along the line you wish, using both hands. Some cards are colour coated so, depending on whether you pull the tear towards you or away from you, you can achieve a white edge along the tear.
Watercolouring
Use a waterproof ink to stamp out your image. Then you have several choices for adding the colour. The obvious is a palette of watercolour paints. Then you can use watercolour penciuls to apply a little colour, then blend the colour with a wet paint brush or water brush. This gives a lovely soft look. Bottles of re-inkers can also be used as a paint.
Want to see more? Learn about all the other benefits of joining: 
|
