Focus on Clear Embossing

Here's a technique that I really like.  Take a piece of scrapbook paper and coordinate a card front.  Select a 5" x 7" section for your background.  Then stamp and emboss a reverse image stamp on a  quieter part of the paper.  A reverse image is one where you stamp the background and the images remain un-stamped.  The technique is to use clear ink to stamp with and clear detail embossing powder on that.  The purpose of the clear medium is to see through the background to the design of the paper.  Then, taking water-based markers such as Marvy, color the designs.  Use a baby wipe frequently to wipe off excess marker ink from the clear embossing.  A totally coordinated design to layer on top of your background piece.  Use coordinating colors to mat the layers.

Zentangles

Here is my entry into a recent Zentangle card contest.  Because I had been doodling faces in my sketchbook in a zentangly way, I thought I would add faces to a background of traditional zentangles.  No, I didn't win the contest but I had so much competition it put my shaky hand to shame!

Too pretty to use!

Have you ever put out some nice paper napkins and heard "Oh, they're just too pretty to use"? I love paper napkins. I love using them with a lovely cup of tea and a crumpet. I love to use them in decoupaging. Now, I'm re-visiting an old art, paper napkin greeting cards. Here's how-to: pull apart the printed tissue from the one or two other plies of paper. Use plastic wrap and a piece of cardstock or heavy weight paper. Sandwich the cardstock, then plastic wrap then napkin and cover all with larger paper like copier paper or plain newsprint paper and iron. The plastic melts and adheres all together. Trim and fold and voila! Add your sentiment to the inside and you have a beautiful thing! The floral napkin in the photo actually has four different images. I think they would look great on four canvases, clearcoated, on a wall. OOH!! I think I have my next project! (click on images to enlarge)