I just love this weeks challenge at TGIF. I adore the emboss resist technique so I couldn't wait to get started.
As I was choosing a stamp set and thinking what I wanted to make, I picked up my Dragonfly Dreams stamp set and realized that it has been ages since I last inked this set up. I had always loved it and have used it heaps, but recently it has sat a little unloved so I knew today was the perfect day:
I had originally thought to make this card in a shade of blue, but I just couldn't get the right look, so I thought I'll change it up to pink and I'm totally loving it.
OK so are you wondering what happened to the actual dragonfly?? I did plan to use a whole copper dragonfly but I had recently lent my precision plate out to my friend and it meant that I couldn't use it for the Dragonflies. I tried to use my normal Bigshot plates but that little sucker would not come out whole. So while I was looking at my pile of copper wings, I had this great idea. I'll just use the wings on their own!!
So now it's over to you guys. I really can't wait to check out what you all create with this fun challenge. Oh and don't forget to check out the other amazing designers beautiful cards. So much to CASE there!!
Oh my goodness, I'm so excited I reckon I could scream!! Tomorrow I am off to Sydney with some of my team for Stampin' Up! Onstage Local event.
Even though this will be my 8th convention and we only attended an Onstage back in November, this one really is super special, as tomorrow we will be the first people to see and actually get our hands on the new 2017/18 Annual Catalogue!!
The first thing I like to do is flip through and check out if any of my favorite things are retiring and then I sit down, with a cuppa and a few choccies and go through each and every page. My gorgeous friend and awesome roomie Kim and I talk through every single item on each page. I think it's one of my highlights of going to convention.
Anyway, getting back to the reason for my post today. With attending onstage comes the responsibility of making swaps and this year I decided to revisit an old design that I had made a few years back for a Christmas Craft market. Yep, the good ol' coasters.
You can find the original Swallowtail coaster post HERE. But because that stamp has since retired, I decided to make my new ones with the gorgeous Dragonfly stamp from the Dragonfly Dreams set.
Aren't they stunning and it doesn't matter how many times you make them, they honestly come out different each and every time. To actually make the background, you need a set of Sharpie pens and some rubbing alcohol.
Colour the tiles in with your chosen Sharpie colours, I find colouring in circles makes them bleed better, and then just add drops of rubbing alcohol in spots on the tiles. You do need quiet a few drops, but less is more with this technique.
Once the tiles are completely dry you can then stamp on your chosen image with Stazon. I actually used a stamp positioner, like a Misti or Stamp Master, to get the image perfect. Because the tiles are smooth and the stazon is wet, you might find your stamp will slip if done by hand. I really am hoping to find a Stampin' Up! version of the misti in our new catalogue!!
Next your need to add a clear acrylic over the top, I actually use White Knights Satin (which can be found in Bunnings) When sprayed on it seems to make the colours blend a little better and then sets everything. This needs a good 6hrs to dry before you add the Polyurethane.
Now the Polyurethane is the finish that will make your tiles heat resistant. I buy the Cabots Cabothane Clear in gloss. Give the tiles a really nice, even spray and leave to dry for 24hrs.
Phew, I think that's everything. Oh and just to help you with making these tiles, I have even made a video tutorial for you to watch too!!
Well I had better get back to packing. I can't wait to share all the fun things we have been up to this weekend, so make sure you check back in with me on Monday.
Happy Friday guys and welcome to another challenge with the Just Add Ink team.
This week we have a a fantastic sketch challenge that I really enjoyed. I also decided it was time to put the Christmas stamps away for a bit and crack open some new goodies. Here is this weeks sketch:
And for my card this week I went with the brand new stamp set called Dragonfly Dreams. This gorgeous set will be available in January in the new Occasions Catalogue.
I'm picking it now, that this set will be one of the most popular stamps of the catty. Oh and I forgot to mention, that it also has matching framelits. Winning!!
Now my inspiration for the card is actually from an upcoming birthday, that one of my dear friends if having soon. Her favourite colour is purple and she adores dragonflies.
I inked up my dragonfly with Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant and Night of Navy. The second dragonfly is stamped on a window sheet with Stazon. Both are cut out with a matching framelit and glued together, just in the body, with a glue dot.
Ok so now it's over to you guys. Pop over to the JAI blog and check out all the other design team's cards. Geeze they are a talented bunch! And please find some time this week to take part. I would love to see what you come up with.
