Showing posts with label Foiling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Foiling. Show all posts

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Saying Goodbye


Hello! Thank you for visiting my blog. It is the first day of the month. Usually, Incy Wincy will have a new challenge today. Sadly, this is the last post for Incy Wincy Designs Challenge. We are closing up the challenge blog. I am forever grateful to Incy. They gave me my first break in the DT world. My first post as a DT was on June 6, 2016 with the card below, Chalkboard Altered Digital Print


Whew! That was eight years of my designing life. The challenge blog evolved from having multi-sponsors per month to a solo sponsor to a non-sponsored challenge blog. From having two challenges a month, we cut back to a monthly challenge. On those 8 years, DT members have come and go. Until we were down to 5 and remained 5 for a long time despite the DT call. There were signs that the challenge blog is about to end but we held on because of our loyal followers who chose to stay despite the circumstances. We feel blessed because of them.

Back to my card, I used products from Erin Lee Creative. Unfortunately, these products are already retired but I am pretty sure you can find substitutes for it. Like any product that is new to me, I research the product online. There is a tutorial to the cardinal die by Jeannie which was very helpful to me. Unlike Jeannie's cardinal which was cut on white cardstock, I decided to cut my version on colored cardstock. I added details to the debossed portions of the bird and the wing with a Copic marker. On my first attempt, I used a very dark gray ink which did not turn out too good. On my second attempt, I used a lighter gray alcohol marker which worked out just fine in making these details pop. 

I blended red ink over areas I think there is a shadow. I used a medium sized blending brush to have a bit of control over the areas I am blending on. I used the scrap cardinal die cut as a layer to the final piece. I didn't want to waste that piece.

I also added details to the bird's beak and the bird's feet using markers. I blended a bit of brown dye ink on the bird's feet. There is really no rhyme or reason with the blending. I think the bird will still look pretty no matter what.

I assembled the bird and set it aside while the glue dries.

For the sentiment, I did hot foiling. It took me 3 tries before I got a good result. The lessons I learned with foiling are:  
1. Foiling on a smooth paper gives better results. My first attempt was on a matte, heavy weight cardstock. The result was a splotchy foiled sentiment.
2. Assess the thickness of your paper. If using a thin sheet of paper, add a shim e.g. another cardstock or a thin cardboard to add more pressure to the foiling sandwich. On my second try, I used a light weight mirror cardstock. Being thin, not all of the foil adhered to the mirror cardstock. It was okay but I feel it can still look better that's why I gave it another try, my 3rd try.

I die cut the foiled sentiment using the coordinating die.

For the card panel, I used an embossed cardstock from DCWV. I splattered white paint over the panel. I dried the paint by heat setting it.



I love the result of foiling. The beauty of foiling is that the look it gives. The colors change depending on how the foil gets hit by the light. I think foiling the sentiment on mirror cardstock also made the foiled sentiment even prettier, what do you think?

I adhered the cardinal and the sentiment to the cardstock panel. I added a dot of blank Ranger enamel accent for the bird's eye. 


Well, this is it. I hope you continue to follow me and my co-DT members as we embark on other things. We truly appreciate your support. 

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day! I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this project at

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Framed Art


Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's project is a gift to the only locally owned brick & mortar craft store here in St. Louis, Checkered Cottage. They celebrated their 25th anniversary last August. This store is owned by three wonderful ladies, Susan, Robyn & Linda with the support of their staff and class instructors. If you happen to pass by St. Louis, how about stopping by this store?

My favorite section of the store is the Recreate where gently used craft items are sold. I love finding treasures here especially craft tools. I also love their wide array of products. It takes a lot of discipline not to splurge on craft items but sometimes, I cannot help it especially when they have the latest releases of my favorite brands. 

Back on the project, the letters are foiled using the Pinkfresh Studio Inna Alpha: hot foil set, layering stencils and die set. I purchased the first two items from the Checkered Cottage. I agreed to show them a project using the stencils. This has been a while. But isn't this the best opportunity to show them  how the stencils work and make them keep it, too?


There is another discovery I made in the process of creating this project. I have not been using my Spellbinders Glimmer Machine because of my failure of getting a good foiled impression. I found out that Spellbinders carry a Glimmer specialty paper. The Checkered Cottage does not have this specialty paper. They only have the Betterpress specialty paper. I went ahead and purchase this to foil on. What is there to lose, right? If it doesn't work then I can use the cardstock for other purposes. But what a nice surpise! This cardstock worked really well with the Glimmer Foil despite its textured and matte finish. 

I used Tim Holtz Distress inks in blending ink on the flowers and a gray dye ink for the letters. Since the flowers and leavers are small, I only used one color for each flower on a letter. I started with a light hand in blending the ink on the first stencil. You achieve a darker shade of the color as you go along with layered stencils.


I stitched a heart using the smallest embroidery hoop die from The Stamp Market Embroidery Hoop Dies. I used a red DMS Variegated embroidery floss for the stitching. I die cut the embroidery hoop on silver mirror cardstock to tie in with the silver foiling of the letters. 

For the background, I trimmed varied pastel colored cardstocks at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I added details to these panels with The Greetery Aida Cloth Texture plate to tie in with the stitched heart. I adhered these panels to a 12" x 12" white cardstock and trimmed off the excess. The frame size is 11" x 14". I trimmed 1/4" off each edge for a clear border around the panel. 


I die cut the Happy Anniversary on white cardstock. I adhered a vellum to the back. The die I used is the Altenew Essential Sentiment Strips die set. I embossed the 25th using a retired My Favorite Things stamp set. I embossed this using silver embossing powder. I stamped the date on white cardstock using the Heidi Swapp Roller Date Stamp. I die cut this into a decorative strip using a die from Concord & 9th. 

I hope you like today's project. Checkered Cottage was nice enough to make an FB post with a photo of this framed art and ME! (Checkered Cottage) They also have this framed art on display (Checkered Cottage 2). 

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

(The link to the Altenew product I used on my Framed Art is Altenew Essential Strips Die Set . My affiliate link is: https://altenew.com/6358517. There will be no additional cost to you should you decide to purchase this product. It is just a way to help a fellow crafter sustain her love for crafting. While in the Altenew blog, don't forget to check out this month's release. Thank you for your support!)


 

Friday, September 15, 2023

Using Acetate for Sentiment


Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I don't think I have shared the news here but I passed my AECP Level 2 Final Challenge and headed on to AECP Level 3. I finished my classes but kind of slacked with creating something related to the classes I took. After some hibernation, I am back to complete what I have started. Thankfully, it is a self-paced course so I can still catch up where I left off.

One of the courses that I chose is All About Layering 5-Build a Flower Edition. When I watched all the classes on this course, I kind of cringe since layering stamps is not my cup of tea. But got to do my homework for this course, and rise up to the challenge. I am using the Altenew Vintage Roses stamp set,. I am kind of proud of myself with the progress I made using this stamp set.

The technique that I did for this card that I think worked for me in embracing layering stamps is instead of inking the stamp, I used a blending brush to apply ink to the stamp. I used the Misti Stamping Tool so I can re-ink and re-stamp the image. I was amazed on how subtle the color is. It somehow has the same effect as using a stencil.


On the last layer of the image, I did heat embossing instead of ink. The result is unbelievable. I wish I could find the crafter who inspired me to try this technique with this stamp set. Sadly, I could not find her and thank her for inspiring me and making me not give up on this stamp set. 

I die cut the images using the coordinating dies. I die cut extras on scraps and adhered this to the back of the matching die cut image for some dimension.

I added a scalloped frame to a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" acetate using the Altenew Scalloped Circles Hot Foil Plate. This is my first time to foil on acetate using the Spellbinders Glimmer machine. And my first try was a fail! I warped my acetate and I think I know why. I should have pulled the Glimmer Hot Plate as soon as the blinking green light stopped. On my second try, I was successful proving my theory to be true. 

I cut a light weight white cardstock at 4 1/2" x 5 1/2". I scored one end at 1/2" which will serve as the tab to adhere the acetate.The scallop foil plate has a matching die set which I used to emboss an impression to this panel. I made sure that the die cut is aligned to the foiled scalloped circle on the acetate before embossing. I flicked some mica watercolor paints on this panel using the same colors I used on the flowers.

I die cut a purplish-pink cardstock with the same die. Aside from cutting a scalloped circle, this die adds details to both negative and positive die cuts. I also die cut a white cardstock using the next smallest scallop. I adhered the scalloped circles to the dry embossed scalloped circle making sure the scallops are aligned with each other.

I adhered the flowers to the scalloped circle.

I applied a strong double adhesive tape on the tab. I adhered the acetate to this making sure the scalloped circles are aligned. 

I die cut the sentiment using the Altenew Hello and Hugs die set on vellum and the same colored purplish-pink carstock I used on the stitched scallop circle. I applied shimmer to the vellum sentiment using Spectrum Noir shimmer pen. I applied adhesive to the back of the vellum sentiment die cut using the Xyron Sticker Maker. I adhered this to the front of the acetate. 

For the colored die cut sentiment, I applied dots of glue to the front right side of the die cut. I adhered this to the back of the acetate, slightly offsetting it from the vellum sentiment to create a shadow effect. For any glue residue, I gently cleaned this off with a cotton bud lightly spritz with rubbing alcohol.


To cover the fold tab, I adhered a rose gold washi tape on the front side of the acetate. I trimmed a 1/4" white cardstock and adhered this to the back bottom edge of the acetate panel using double adhesive tape. I covered this on the front of the acetate using the same washi tape that I used on the top edge of the acetate. 

I adhered a side folding A2 note card to the back of the white panel. A top folding card note card can also be an option.



I hope you like today's card. Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!
Maria Giselle B.

6/2024: Altenew decided to change its affiliate program starting this month. Below is my affiliate link to the website. I don't think I can directly link the products I used with this new program. Please feel free to do a product search. I will update as I figure this out. The good thing about this new affiliate program is that I get to earn on each Altenew product you purchase and not only on the product/s I used on this project. As before, there will be no additional cost to you if you make a purchase. It is just a way to help a fellow crafter sustain her love for crafting. While in the Altenew blog, don't forget to check out their new release for this month. Thank you for your support!


I am sharing this creation at



Monday, May 22, 2023

Double Paged Rainbow Color Inspired Layout

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Early this month, we celebrated National Scrapbooking Day. Pinkfresh Studio's NSD challenge motivated me to work on this layout. I have not scrapbooked in a long time. I am more into cardmaking. I truly enjoyed creating this double paged layout that I see myself doing more scrapbooking in the future. Not to forget, I am so happy that my photo printer is back in action again so I can print the photos that I want to scrap about. Thanks to my husband who fixed the connection issues of my printer. 

I am using Pinkfresh Studio products in this layout. The patterned papers and the ephemera are from the Let's Stay Home collection. The squares are from one of the patterned paper from this collection. I cut these squares apart and re-arranged it to fit my double paged layout. 

The main title of the layout was created using the PS Inna Alpha Hot Foil Plate, Layering Stencil and Die Set. I had this collection for a while and I could not believe that I waited this long to play with it. At first, it looks intimidating to use it but once I started playing with it, I had to stop myself from wanting to create more projects using it. 

The foiling part was also a challenge since I have not used my Spellbinders Glimmer Machine in a long time. I had some waste of materials at first because I had to re-orient myself on how to use the machine. After two over foiling, I finally got it. 

I used the stencil to add colors to the foiled letters, following the color of the square the letter will be adhered to. I only used two shades of color for each letter. The flower has three layering stencils. I only used one ink for that just lightly applying ink on the first layer then adding the ink heavily on the next succeeding layers. 


After I adhered the colored squares to the panel to form a rainbow grid, I started planning the rest of the elements of the layout. I also added the color coordinating embroidery flosses that I will be using to stitch on some of the colored boxes. 

It is very tempting to stitch on all the boxes but I didn't want to take the eye away from the photos and the embellishments. 

 

I hope you like today's project. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at







Sunday, March 5, 2023

March 2023 Stamp/Die/Stencil & More Release Blog Hop #2


 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today is Altenew's March's new release. This is a huge release with lots of amazing products to choose from. All of my cards feature four products from this release. All of these products are linked below. 

 

The first two cards' designs are opposite versions of each other. I was planning to create the card on the left only which has an oval window on the center. After getting done with this card, I have a leftover of the oval negative die cut. I did not want to keep it for a later project, so I created a reverse design of the first card. 

For the second card, I die cut an oval on the same kraft cardstock I used on the first card. I matted the embossed oval piece with this. For the card panel, I stamped the huge flower stamp to create a background which is the background of the oval piece on the first card. I used the same washi tape to add strips to the top and bottom of the panel. The second card has more weight compared to the first card since the oval die cuts on the first card are inlaid. 


For my third card, I colored the flowers from the stamp set using Altenew Woodless Watercolor Pencils. When I color with this medium, I pick the pigment from the pencil with a water brush and put this on a palette. On this palette is where I either add more water to soften the pigment or mix pigments together to create new colors. I feel I have much more control in coloring when I do this technique. Remember to always start light with the colors. You can always add more pigment to make the image darker. For me, it is harder to lighten up a dark colored image. No matter how much water I add to the image to mute the color down, I cannot pick up the pigment anymore with a paper towel. Most likely the pigment is already absorbed by the paper. After I was done coloring these flowers, I realized that I was actually doing a technique I have learned from one of my AECP classes. The course is Beautiful Details on no line coloring. The light gray ink I used, despite being a water activated ink, did not soften with the water while I was coloring the image. Next time, I will do second generation stamping using this dye ink to lighten the ink some more.

I fussy cut the flowers, cutting it close to the outline. I die cut the solid leaves from the die set and also water colored it. I splattered green inks on these leaves. For the basket, I die cut a kraft cardstock using a circle die. I trimmed a portion of it to create the basket. I embossed this using the 3D embossing folder. I added a gold pigment ink to the embossing folder so it will transfer to the cardstock once it is embossed. For the basket handle, I created this using two nesting oval dies. 
 


I added details to the front of an A2 gray panel with the Altenew Dotted Swirls Debossing die. The sentiment was created using the same hot foil plate I used on the first two cards. But I did not do hot foiling with this card. Instead, I added dye ink to the hot foil plate. I laid a white cardstock over it and used a brayer to transfer the ink to the cardstock. 


For my fourth card. I stamp the flower image on watercolor cardstock. I used the Altenew Woodless Watercolor pencils to color these flowers. I fussy cut the image leaving a white border around it. 


For the panel, I trimmed a grayish-blue cardstock into 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I trimmed two pieces. I trimmed one of the panels in an angle. I embossed this using the wicker embossing folder. I rotated the paper so that the diagonal edge will be lined up with the embossing. A part of the panel was sticking out; thus, it was not embossed. It is easy to line up the embossing with the folder to emboss the rest of the panel.


I flicked gold paint on the other panel. I adhered the embossed piece on this panel. I adhered the fussy cut flower to this panel using foam adhesive. The sentiment for this card was heat embossed this time using the same foil plate. 

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you find inspiration in today's post and find interest in the Altenew products that I used in my cards. 

Have a blesesd, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Here is a link to Altenew's March Release Products: 



Giveaway Prizes:

$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a *$100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $20 gift certificate to 10 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 03/12/2023 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 11 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 03/13/2023.

*The winner of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog. 


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

6/2024: Altenew decided to change its affiliate program starting this month. Below is my affiliate link to the website. I don't think I can directly link the products I used with this new program. Please feel free to do a product search. I will update as I figure this out. The good thing about this new affiliate program is that I get to earn on each Altenew product you purchase and not only on the product/s I used on this project. As before, there will be no additional cost to you if you make a purchase. It is just a way to help a fellow crafter sustain her love for crafting. While in the Altenew blog, don't forget to check out their new release for this month. Thank you for your support!


I am sharing this creation at



Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Foiling in Greeting Cards

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. We have a new challenge at Incy Wincy Designs. The challenge theme for this month is Valentine +/or In The Garden. I hope you join us in this challenge. 

The image I am using is from Jan's Digi Stamps which is linked below, in case you are interested on it. 

I re-sized the image smaller to create a background of candy hearts. I duplicated the image to print multiple hearts on a single sheet of light weight white cardstock. I printed these hearts using a toner printer which will work with foiling. I added foiling to these hearts using pink and silver foils that is compatible with a laminator. I am using a Minc Machine and the Minc foils for this. I colored the hearts following a rainbow pattern using Copic markers. I fussy cut the images leaving a white border around it. I set this aside while I work on the front card panel.

Using the same colors of markers that I used for the hearts, I created stripes of colors using the chisel tip of the marker. Where two colors meet, I used one of the markers to blend the inks. I repeated this until the whole panel is covered with stripes of colors. I flicked some Copic colorless blender to this striped panel to add some splatters. 

I struggled with adding a foiled sentiment to my card design. I am using the Spellbinders Glimmer Machine for this step. On my first try, the foil moved so not all of the sentiment was foiled. Second attempt, I over-foiled the panel. I tried removing the foil off the over-foiled areas with a sand eraser but it left a stain. If this was a small portion only, it would have been forgivable but there were a lot of stained areas too hard to hide. I think what might have caused my over-foiling is when I added another shim of thin cardboard to the foiling sandwich. The third try was a charm. It is still not perfect with some over-foiled areas. It was not a lot and it got rubbed off easily with the sand eraser. The sentiment I used is from Birch Press Design Hugs Sugar Script Hot Foil Plate & Die set. Foiling can be stressful at first but I think with constant use, I will learn its tricks. After all, the foiling result is always amazing. 

Because of the above boo-boos, my plan of a one layer card had to be revised. I created another striped colored panel. Using the coordinating shadow die of the sentiment, I die cut a window on this striped card panel. I adhered an acetate on the back of the window. I trimmed the panel with the foiled panel to a size large enough to cover the window with the foiled sentiment showing through. I added double stacked thin strips of adhesive foam around the window on the back side to form a well. I powdered the insides of the well. This prevents the shaker elements from sticking to the foam adhesive. I poured Pretty Pink Posh 4mm Metallic Rose Gold sequins over the foiled sentiment. I adhered the window panel to the sentiment panel making sure the window is aligned with the sentiment.

I heat embossed a sub-sentiment to the left-over striped panel. I used a dark gray dye ink for stamping and clear embossing powder. I die cut this into a strip using an Avery Elle Sentiment Strips die.

I added more double stacked adhesive foam to the rest of the card panel's back. I adhered this panel to a top folding note card.


Thank you for visiting my blog. You have the whole month of February to join the challenge. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.


I am sharing this creation at

Thursday, December 1, 2022

Foiled Digital Image Shaker Snow Globe Ornament

  


Hello! Welcome back to my blog. We have a new challenge at Incy Wincy Designs. This month's challenge themes are Christmas +/or Movement. We have two sponsors for this challenge. My project features one of these sponsors and is linked below. 

I love snow globes which attracted me to this image. I printed the image twice on white smooth cardstock using a toner ink. I die cut the snow globe circle frame using two nesting circle dies, leaving a white border.   

I foiled the snow globe circle frame with a Minc Silver foil using the Minc Machine. I foiled the sentiment using a Minc light green foil. I foiled the star with a Gina K. Designs for Therm O Web Fancy Foils Glimmering Gold foil. I fussy cut the sentiment leaving a white border around it.

Using the larger circle die that I used to die cut the snow globe frame, I die cut a circle on black cardstock. I die cut stitching holes to this black circle die cut using a Crafty Meraki Stich-a-Cross slimline die. I cross stitched the background using a metallic rainbow DMC floss.

I die cut another circle on white cardstock. I die cut a tag tab on white cardstock. I adhered the tag tab to the back of the circle stitched panel. I adhered the white circle cardstock to the back of the stitched panel. I adhered the sentiment to the stitched panel with foam adhesive.


I die cut a smaller sized circle on acetate. I adhered this to the back of the foiled frame using a double-sided adhesive tape. I added a thin strip of foam tape to create a well for the shaker element. I poured the shaker on the stitched panel. I added liquid glue to the foam adhesive for a stronger seal. I adhered this to the stitched panel.

For the base of the snow globe, I foiled this as well using the same silver foil. I colored this with a metallic silver Karin marker. I adhered this to the shaker snow globe.


Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you join us in this month's challenge. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!
Maria Giselle B.


I am sharing this creation at








Saturday, November 19, 2022

Monochromatic Stitched Foiled Card

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today is my first post as I continue my journey in AECP Level 2. I cannot wait to learn more to better my craft. I am so thankful to Erum, our AECP coach, for the continued support. 

Foiling is on trend right now. There are several crafting tools to do foiling but for today's card, I foiled without the use of heat. Although, there is still some heat used on this card but not directly to transfer the foil. You'll find out what I mean later on.

I trimmed a peach cardstock at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I prepped the cardstock with anti-static powder. I stamped the butterfly images on this panel repeatedly using a sticky ink. I used the Misti Stamping Tool in stamping the butterflies so I can re-stamp the images just in case the impression was not good. I poured Ranger Sticky embossing powder on the sticky ink, then heat set it being careful not to over melt the sticky powder. The butterfly stamps are from the Altenew Hibiscus Stamp set. 

I covered the melted powder with Wow! Snow White Fab Foil. I burnished the foil to the sticky image using a bone folder. I am not always successful with this foiling technique. Most of the time, I have areas where the foil did not adhere. I sometimes leave it as is but if you are still aiming for a perfect foiled image using this technique, reposition the foil back on the sticky image. Briefly heat the back of the panel to activate the glue and burnish the foil to the image. This is when you start using heat for foiling. Sometimes this trick works. Sometimes it does not. Still the effect is gorgeous!

I added stitching holes to the panel using one of the Altenew String Art Rectangles Dies. I created a window using a rectangle die smaller than the String Rectangle die I used. You can also use a craft knife to create the window. 

I added a blanket stitch on the inner frame outlining it. I blended a peach ink on the left-over rectangle panel. I buffed the ink off the foiled images.

For the sentiment, I am using a die from the Altenew Hello and Hugs Die Set. I die cut the word hugs on peach cardstock three times. On one of the sentiment die cuts, I pounced the sticky ink on the bottom half of the word. I poured sticky ink to this, then heat set it. I covered the area with the same white foil then burnish it. 

For the top half of the sentiment, I pounced the sticky ink on it again. This time, I poured Altenew Golden Peach Crisp embossing powder. I heat set this.

I adhered the other two sentiment die cuts to the back of the embossed/foiled sentiment for added dimension. 

I adhered the inner panel to a peach cardstock cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I used the frame to guide me in its placement. 

I added foam adhesive to the back of the stitched frame. I adhered this to the peach cardstock panel making sure that the frame is aligned with the rectangle die cut panel. 

I adhered the stacked sentiment die cut. 

I added sequins to the panel and some dimensional glue to cover the center holes of the sequins.


Thank you for viewing my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

6/2024: Altenew decided to change its affiliate program starting this month. Below is my affiliate link to the website. I don't think I can directly link the products I used with this new program. Please feel free to do a product search. I will update as I figure this out. The good thing about this new affiliate program is that I get to earn on each Altenew product you purchase and not only on the product/s I used on this project. As before, there will be no additional cost to you if you make a purchase. It is just a way to help a fellow crafter sustain her love for crafting. While in the Altenew blog, don't forget to check out their new release for this month. Thank you for your support!



Maria Giselle B.