Friday, April 8, 2016

NEW embossing powder recipe...

ok...
it's a fact...
I don't cook anymore...
BUT,
I love to discover new recipes 
using embossing powders...

vintage, rusty, verdigris colored metal tools 
that we spotted in an antique store,
 inspired me to see if I could figure out a recipe that would look like rust...

I wanted to combine products that I had, 
to make something new...

 to make the custom rust...
(which later magically transforms into 
verdigris powder)
hold on to your blending tools!

grab some measuring spoons

and

 you'll need...
&



and 


here's the recipe for 
the custom mix I made up...

⅛ teaspoon or less of the gold powder
TRUST ME ON THIS...
I used WAY too much in the first batch...
a little goes a long way on the gold...

add 

add
¾ teaspoon watering can embossing powder

add

shake...stir...
MIX WELL...
that's it!

fear not...
at this point it's not cute...
the magic happens when it's melted...

that work well to store 
custom embossing powder mixes...
they are also great for organizing embellishments...

I like that the clear lids allow me to see what I have in them & 
I label them on the bottom...
just use a circle punch to write your recipe...
they're a good price & super convenient!

I originally wanted an orangish rusty color...
so I swiped the orange blossom pad over the manila scrap, sprinkled on the custom mix and used the embossing gun to melt the powder...
this is the result...

very textured, & rusty...
exactly what I wanted...

and this shows that archival inks ARE
embossable...


this is interesting...

because there is a large portion of 
frosted crystal in the mix, 
that allows the surface color to show thru...
this is amazing, because it gives us multiple different color options, 
with only one embossing powder mix...
it's M A G I C!
you'll see...

this next sample has watering can archival ink added to the manila scrap,
it's sprinkled with the same custom embossing powder mix...
and this is the result...

darkens the embossing powder...
I applied the watering can quite heavily, by swiping the pad directly on the manila...
a lighter application would result
 in a lighter grey color...
I'll try that next time & use a blending tool
 to add the ink color...
that's another option!


that was fun, so I kept going...
next, I swiped the tree branch archival pad on the manila scrap & used the same embossing powder mix again...
this creates another great color!



oh yes, there's more...
I'm on a roll...

was swiped onto the manila scrap...
same powder & look at this...
L O V E  it!



and this next one is so flipping' cool...

it results in even more of a verdigris color...
it's still the exact same custom powder mix,
 but added over
seriously...can you believe how pretty it is?
PERFECT for garden themed art...
ideas are brewing...
changing up metal pieces...
and...
and...
and...



 I made these 5 samples using the same custom embossing powder mix...
just by changing the base ink color, one custom mix gives you all these really cool options...

here's a comparison to show 
the huge color differences that are possible...
each is gorgeous & each can be used 
so many ways...
below are the archival ink base colors again,
all used with the same 
custom embossing powder mix...

#4 is watering can
that started this scientific experiment...




be watching Facebook & Instagram...
I'll post a little video there to show these samples a little better & how they reflect the light...
for some reason I couldn't load it here...

here's a tip...

any of these can be further tinted 
(after they're melted) 
by adding any archival ink color over the top...

so, if I wanted to darken the edges on these, I'd use potting soil archival ink with a blending tool to add shading...
potting soil works with everything...

as I'm typing
I'm thinking...

I'm dying to get back to the studio to try this powder mix over red geranium archival ink...
I'm betting that will be a good color combo too...
and think about potting soil as the base color, to create a nice brownish rust...

one last reminder...
a little is all you need...
seriously...
it overtakes the colors if you use too much...
you get major bling that doesn't look rusty...

remember...
you can always add more gold, 
but you can't remove it from the mix...

lecture done...

think about using this mix 
to customize die cuts...
or
you can make embossed scraps 
like I did today, 
then use punches...
or cut borders from them...

the powder can be added over ink that's applied thru stencils, for card accents, 
art journal pages or mixed media art...

I'll be using them over my mat mini flower pots
buttons  & hearts to customize them to coordinate with whatever I'm working on...
and for sure on flowers!

do you have ideas brewing?
how will you use this custom mix?

 when you...

make art!
wendy
ps...
I just got an email with a code to use
use the code

RANGER20

it's good thru Sunday...

and one more thing...
be quick & pop over to 
for a last chance to win a great prize for you
 & a friend you tag...
the winner gets chosen today!
GOOD LUCK!



Friday, April 1, 2016

the challenge is...dimension...

today I'm the guest designer over at

thanks so much for the invite ladies!

here's my submission for the challenge, 
which is "dimension"...

"dimension" grabs your interest & invites you to  inspect the art to see the details...

the "dimension" can be thick layers, 
like my "hosta leaves",  flowers & 


or more subtle, 
like the stenciled leaves & dots...

even though they are flat, the stenciled images add another layer to the background...

another subtle way to add dimension is with embossing powder...
on this card I used
with my lace border stamp to add "dimension"...





you'll find the details for entering the challenge at


by entering, you have the chance to win one of 2 prizes donated by Ted...
THANKS TED!



here are the prizes!
the right shows the "hosta leaves" 
that I used today...
I use them combined with so many of my flower stamps...

and the set on the left has the adorable 

each prize also includes a stencil!


thanks so much to Donna,
 for inviting me to play along...

when you visit the site you'll be treated to LOTS more inspiration and ideas
 for adding "dimension" to your projects...

trust me...

LOTS more ideas!
I hope you'll play along and

make art!
wendy