Anything but a Stamp

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Dreamweaver stencil LG733

 Birds on Bare Branches

Matt black embossing paste

Mica powders

Versamark pad

Peel off Friendly Phrases 921145 black

Purple & olive organza ribbon
Terracotta DL card blank
Peach card

All available from:-

www.woodware.co.uk

As the title suggests we were asked to put our stamps away this week & as I'm really enjoying using Dreamweaver stencils  I decided to give them another outing. Here's how the Dreamweaver team explain how to use stencils with embossing pastes. 

Using Embossing Paste with Brass Stencils

This technique looks especially nice on dark card stock. It has a sharper edge to it than either dry or thermal embossing and, like dry embossing, it can also be stenciled with color. When iridescent powders are added to the regular embossing paste, the embossing almost has an "Indian sandpainted" look to it.

1. When using embossing paste on the brass stencils, you need to work quickly, because the paste sets up in 20-40 minutes and you don't want it to dry into the fine bridgework of the brass stencils.

2. Make sure you are working on a hard flat surface and the stencil needs to be flat against the surface, because, if it is bent, the paste will pull under the bridges and smear.

3. Tape out the edges well with removable tape.

4. Pick up the paste on the bottom of the metal palette knife and smooth over the stencil's cut out areas as if applying icing to a cake. Now the paste on the stencil is about 1/8"- 1/4" thick. At this point, scrape off the excess paste until all the holes are filled evenly and the stencil surface is smooth.

5. Immediately take off the tape and pick up the stencil from the paper--lifting it off in a straight up manner as much as possible. It is important to clean the stencil off immediately, so drop it into a pan of water until you have time to scrub it with a vegetable or nail brush. If there is a film or residue of paste on the stencil, use a rubber stamp cleaner that removes permanent inks. Apply it generously and scrub with a dry paper towel.

6. Set aside the paste project for 20-40 minutes and, when dry, put the cleaned stencil back in place and stencil with a variety of mediums.

After my embossing paste was thoroughly dry I replaced the stencil & inked the image with the sticky Versamark pad. I then used the pearl powders with a soft brush to colour & highlight the image. When you are happy with the result remove the stencil & brush away excess powder. I have layered onto black card & added the ribbon before applying to the card blank. A simple peel off message finishes the design.

This design and many more featured in my blog are on display at Japonica!