Tissue Batik using Re-Inkers

I felt like getting inky fingers today and here are the resuts.

It is drying now as I type but I took some progress shots.

This is a simple technique using ordinary tissue paper, a stamp with solid areas, Versamark ink and clear embossing powder and a couple of colors of re-inkers.

You'll also need a flat plastic tray or cookie sheet to protect your work area

once you start with the coloring step.

First up, stamp your image randomly on the tissue paper with Versamark and then sprinkle with clear embossing powder and heat. I chose the sun stamp.

Next drop on two colors of re-inkers.  I chose yellow and orchid. You can wait for them to spread or lift the tissue and re-position to absorb color from the plastic underneath.

If you would like a negative effect sandwich the wet sheet between two dry sheets of tissue and run the brayer across. Lift off carefully to sepearate the pieces.

You can now hang your batik up to dry and feel like you are on a beach in Bali.

Have fun playing, and if you like, you can post a link to your results on my Blogspot.

Here is an ATC  Background I made with some of the scraps. 

Fan-Fold Pop-Out Book

http://orientalstampart.wordpress.com/stamp-artist-of-the-month/

Supplies:
Credits.
Papers: The Far East Stack from DCWV
Stamps:  Some Unknown- Wiki C.A.P.S  Asian Dragon Clear Stamp
www.wikicaps.com
All Night Media, Chinese Calligraphy,  All Night Media Chinese  Dragon,  Kodomo Inc, Chinese coin, Great Impressions, #B125
Inks:  Versamark Clear, VersaMagic Cornucopia, Brilliance Pearlescent Beige, Adirondack Dye inks, Cranberry and Caramel, Stampin’ Up Whisper White.

2  sheets- 12X12 matched scrapbooking pages
2 sheets, more of co-ordinating  scrapbook paper.
or you can use matching papers from any source.
Cut as described in steps below.
2 - 5 ½ X  5 ½  pieces book end thickness cardboard (I used packaging scraps)

Book Covers:
Cardboard, as above.
From the matching scrapbooking paper cut:
 2- 6½" square pieces with a  motif or feature for the covers.  I featured dragons from the print for mine.
2X 6" squares plain paper or cardstock for inside covers.
1X 8" square with print on one side and plain on the back side for fan pop-out.

Glue the cardboard onto the  6½" front and back cover pieces,  leaving an even margin around them.  I use Fabritac glue as it gives more room for re-positioning and it dries clear and will not buckle the paper. Trim across the corners (as shown) and fold in the edges.

Cover the inside and hide the edges  with the  6" sq. plainer matching paper or cardstock. Book covers finished.  Set aside for now.

Now the fun part of decorating the fan-fold.

 On the white side of the 8" piece of co-ordinating paper, stamp your theme ( I used dragons, calligraphy and oriental coin stamps) in Versamark ink and emboss with clear powder for the  images you wish to appear as distressed .  Stamp calligraphy and coins in Caramel and Cranberry. You can add more dragons in a white ink, if desired.

For brayering  the background, choose inks that will match your paper as closely as possible.  I chose dye inks Cornucopia, Cranberry and Caramel and gave a final coat of Brilliance Pearlescent Beige. My brayered and stamped piece is on the left and the design paper I matched is on the right.

 Using  the  brayer start with a light yellow and brayer the entire sheet.  Roll off the brayer between colors. Make the final layer a Brilliance Ink for a pearly finish. Let the sheet dry well then fold per folding instruction sheet.

Orient the design so that it appears right side up when the fan unfolds and slit to the center on line indicated.  Fold,  valley, mountain until it forms a small triangle.  Attach front and back covers evenly as per fold sheet.

Embellish with quotes printed on tissue and torn,  or stamped quotes.

Tie yarns around with beads attached and embellish with crimped cardboard, fiber and a brass coin or figure.

I'll look forward to hearing your comments and seeing your creations.  Please post a link to your creations...I would love to see them.

Christmas Card Time

It is always good to get an early start on Christmas cards so
I decided to play with my newest set of nestabilities. (labels Seven) and a Tim Holtz small reindeer
diecut.  This card is a standard A4 quarter folded back on itself and covered with co-ordinating
Christmas print papers.  The front piece is made with the nestabilities matted and set over another, same size label with, a message stamped on it.
I will post a view inside of the card tomorrow after I take a picture.

Bachiko and Pet Butterfly

I am doing a new series of collages inspired by paper folding.
Bachiko and Pet Butterfly. I am told, Bachiko means Happy child in Japanese.

The butterfly is a symbol of all that we cannot hang onto or that is unattainable

in life.

This is the first, and I have given a second one away to a friend without scanning it.

Here is the third in the series. I am really enjoying making these as and sharing them as gifts.

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 



Moving Window Template

When making cards or ATC's it is sometimes hard to visualize how the paper will appear
behind a solid shape.

Here is when a window template in the exact size of that part of your project,
that you can move across the paper background will show you how it will appear
before you cut it out.

Use the template for the card (print an extra copy so you can cut it open)
to make a window template.  Move it across your chosen background
until you see a pleasing effect.

I use this method with a hollow 2.5" X 3.5: hollow frame when I make ATC's

It really works to isolate a pleasing aspect of the image you have chosen.

The full image.

The waterfall isolated for an ATC Background.

Two for One

Two for One

A large amount of the time we put into a project is finding the perfect color cardstock,
co-ordinating papers, ribbon, brads and message or quote to pull the finished product together.

I need to remind myself of that more often and offer this suggestion.
Whenever possible make two, or more of the same card or ATC,  while you have
all the supplies out.  It makes sense and will save you going hunting
for all the same things if you decide to repeat the project another time.
You then  have one to send and one or more to keep for a future occasion.

Here are the completed cards. I can't get them to load side by side.

Origami Cranes

Here is a fun idea for a birthday card.
It is almost therapeutic folding these cranes.
I use 3 inch squares to attain this size crane.
The card is a standard size 5 1/2" X 4 1/4


I fold these when I am sitting watching TV
and now have quite an assortment I can draw on
 to whip up a nice Birthday card on a moments notice.


Folding instructions are here:

http://monkey.org/~aidan/origami/crane/