Last week, the Simon Says Stamp blog posted a video about a technique using embossing powders. This was unlike anything I had ever seen before and I was inspired to give the technique a try right away. I have chipboard sitting in my stash from years ago when Stampin' Up! was carrying it, so I took it out and selected a bird. I looked at my embossing powder collection and tried to pick colours that would look nice together, so I mixed Gold Pearl, Tango Tangerine, Pool Party and a touch of white. After doing a couple of layers with the colored powders, I wanted to add the ultra-thick embossing enamel on top. Now, I know I've bought some UTEE back when I started crafting but for the life of me, I couldn't find that jar anywhere. (And I'm sure I didn't manage to get through it all since it was quite a big jar.) So I had to settle for building layers after layers after layers of clear embossing powders. I have a couple of jars of scented embossing powders from years ago and I figured I could use that instead of my regular clear embossing powder, especially since I was experimenting. (So this card smells like vanilla, which you can't tell from the picture!) I also dropped some Glitz Tinsel Glitter in the molten powder while it was still hot. I think that's my favorite touch on the chipboard piece, it's subtle but it has a nice shimmer with a blue-green sheen in there that matches the rest of the project nicely.
So I was happy with the bird I created, but it was late and I had to go to bed, so I left the bird aside and it took a good week before I was able to come back to it. I was finally inspired to make a card with it today, based on the Paper Craft Crew sketch #292, Simon Says Stamp Monday (Stencil It) and Try Stampin' on Tuesday Tic Tac Toe #3 (Emboss + Blue + Outdoors).
On the background, I sponged some So Saffron ink through my stencil, cleaned it and then sponged VersaMark only in certain spots, which I embossed with the same Gold Pearl embossing powder I had previously used. I embossed a piece of Core'dinations cardstock with the Brick Wall embossing folder and lightly sanded the surface to show the white core and give the piece dimension. I had this idea that I wanted a grey circle to mimick the opening of a bird house, and I cut a wooden dowel to make the perch. I stamped a "Happy Birthday" sentiment at the bottom, added a bit of foliage with die-cuts and finished the card off with cord and enamel dots.
Because the chipboard piece was hanging over the edge of the card, I used my envelope punch board to make an oversize envelope. I also pulled out Stampin' Up!'s retired bird punch to decorate the envelope and the inside of the card. This was a satisfying project, as I learned a new technique but pulled out older items I've had in my supplies for a while. It's always nice to know I'm not hoarding my older stuff without ever using it.
Supplies
Stamps: Pour ton anniversaire (On Your Birthday - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Tango Tangerine, So Saffron, Basic Grey, Pool Party, Pool Party Core'dinations (Stampin' Up!)
Designer Series Paper Stacks: 2011-2013 In Color, Brights, Subtles
Ink: VersaMark, So Safron, Basic Grey
Accessories: Bird Punch, Envelope Punch Board, Stampin' Dimensionals, Brick Wall Embossing Folder,
Layering Circle Framelits, Sanding Block. Ticket Corner Punch, Eclectic Layers Thinlits, Tango Tangerine/White Cord Trim,
Triple Banner Punch, Starburst Framelits, Lots of Labels Framelits, Perfect Pair On Board Chipboard (Stampin' Up!);
Wood Dowel; Glitz Tinsel Glitter (Recollections); Birthday Girl Sprinkles (Doodlebug Design);
Embossing Powders - Gold Pearl (Ranger), Tango Tangerine, Pool Party, White, Vanilla-Scented Clear (Stampin' Up!)
Love your fabulous creation! The colors and texture on the bird are so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. :)
Posted by: Meihsia Liu | May 20, 2018 at 17:43
the bird is just beautiful! Thanks for playing along with Try Stampin' on Tuesday.
Posted by: Dianne Keough | May 20, 2018 at 19:02
Wow, that is truly beautiful, and I can spot a great mix of some stash items in there, too - very harmonious! Great take on our challenge! Thanks so much for playing at TSOT!
Posted by: Heather H | May 21, 2018 at 11:50
Cindy - what a great card! I had never heard of this enameling technique before! I watched both videos you linked to and pinned them on my Pinterest techniques board for future reference. Thank you for joining us this week on Try Stampin' on Tuesday, AND for sharing a new technique!!! -Donna
Posted by: Donna Scholz | May 22, 2018 at 10:44