here's how I got started...

here's how I got started...
a 20 minute podcast by Crazy BeYOUtiful

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!



23 comments:

Jane said...

O wow Wendy these are amazing...I have quite a few of those colours, I must have a play....Keep experimenting, I love your results xx

lilyandthelotus.blogspot.com said...

yUMMY but since you don't cook any more Hubby might? lol they are lush and beautiful.

Debby said...

This is amazing! Not sure if I have any of that gold powder. I think I hated it and tossed it in my last cleaning. But will look and see what I have. I will be trying this on your mat minis like you said. Very cool!

Jacky said...

Wowser x

Dorothy said...

Way too much fun!!!

Lori said...

These are awesome!! Will be excellent with gear dies. Possibilities are endless. Also great on art parts! Thanks for sharing your discoveries!!

KGumkowski said...

This is so cool, you're quite a chef Wendy! :)

KGumkowski said...

This is so cool, you're quite a chef Wendy! :)

Lisa said...

Oh my goodness, these are amazing!! Wow!! The texture is spectacular!! Thanks so much for the tips!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Cathy - CMP Designs said...

These are amazing!!! So many colors and shades all from one custom mix and different base inks!! Thank you for sharing!! :)

Sharon Y said...

Oh my! Looooove this Wendy! So. So. Cool. Thanks for sharing the recipie. Don't have all the powders but I'm going to experiment with what I have to see if I can make my own rusty stuff. Yippee!

Tona said...

Oh wow! Each of these are fantastic. Thanks so much for experimenting & coming up with a winning recipe.

Stephanie Rodgers said...

Girl, you are a scientific genius! Can't wait to see the projects you whip up with this!

Anonymous said...

Love this! Your samples kind of remind me of roofing shingles.
Thanks for the recipe.

Redanne said...

They are all gorgeous, love how the Tree Branch one looks like rust! Wow! xx

Sue said...

You ARE a chef, just of a different kind! I love these colors!

Ruby Craft said...

Loving seeing your magic!

Rich Boden said...

I love these, Wendy! you know from Twitter how much I love mixing your embossing powders and playing with them - I might post something on my website (www.the-spin-doctor.co.uk) in the coming weeks as an extension of this post as I've had one of those "this should not look good but it so DOES" results from an experiment - watch this space ;o)
r

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Your recipes are the BEST!!! I LOVE all the different samples too...pure rusted genius!!!

Tee said...

I love your results from experimenting!Nice! Thanks for sharing!

Jean Bullock said...

Love your recipes! Thanks so much for sharing them!

Art By Wanda said...

I have finally been here to read this post!! I'm glad you kept it pinned to the top on your FB page. This is SOOOO COOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks, Wendy!!!! Time to go mix :)

Jenny Marples said...

OK, finally had time to get and see this properly - AWESOME! Gotta play now :) Thank you so much for sharing your brilliant findings with us all xx