'What you do speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you say.'
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Saturday 28 August 2010

F for flowers flourish and faux batik
I used Vivid inks this time, for a change, lol - yes, I have a LOT of different inks and while each is usually suitable for a particular purpose, there are lots of water based dye inks, which are interchangeable, and I usually end up using Ranger inks, so now and again, I like a change.  Besides which, there are some shades made by other companies which I love and which simply aren't available from Ranger.

Couldn't resist using lots of things beginning with 'F' this time but at least I was a good girl and not used BAD words, lol.  There's Faux Batik, Flicked water, a Flourish and Flowers.

If you don’t know how to do Faux Batik, here’s how…
  1. Stamp image(s) in Versamark or clear Embossing ink, then emboss in clear powder. 
  2. Apply colour, using your favourite method but be sure not to use permanent or pigment inks, which will cover the embossed images and spoil the effect.  Water based inks, such as Vivid, Distress, Adirondack, Big 'n' Juicy, Kaleidacolor, Memento, Marvy, etc etc are ideal.  If there’s ink on your embossing, wipe off with a piece of kitchen towel or a baby wipe..
  3. Cover the embossed card with a piece of kitchen towel (newsprint or brown paper work just as well).  Set an iron to HOT (no steam) and IRON over the material covering the embossed bits, leaving it over them for 15 seconds or so.  You know your own iron, so you’ll know how hot it’s getting.  If you need to, lift up the paper/kitchen towel to see if the embossing powder has lifted up.
  4. When embossing powder is removed, overstamp with more images (or the same – works particularly well with flowers and people, creating a sort of shadow effect).
  5. Clear emboss new stamping if you like, to create dimension.
There was a craze about 6 or 7 years ago for using this technique on manila files – it’s a nice change.  Follow the instructions above but when adding colour, just wash over the embossed image with reinkers (Adirondack reinkers work well), using a wide, flat brush.  Brush over with water if you think it’s a little too heavy.

Iron off the embossing powder, leaving a ‘Faux Bleach’ effect.  Nice technique.

Someone asked me what the Flicked water technique is and it's just what it says.  Spray (or pour) a bit of water into the palm of your hand, slightly cupped, then randomly flick drops of water onto your inked background.  Heat with a heat tool and you have another great little effect.

22 very kind comments from lovely people:

Carol Q said...

that's lovely Cath. I do like those work stamps you're using at the moment.

Martina said...

What a wonderful design and so clever using your stamps, Cath!

Wish you a nice weekend.
Cheers
MARTINA

Anke said...

WOW WOW WOW Cath what a wonderful card, great stamps, absolutely stunning.

Have a nice weekend.

Hugs
Anke

Sid said...

Great little tutorial, and fab finished piece !!

G Peplow said...

Hi Cath, pretty colours, love it. I have a little something for you on my blog:D xx

Zoechaos said...

Fabulous, love the colours and both the techniques combined very pretty. xx Zoe

Dotpat said...

Gorgeous Cath, love the colours

Anonymous said...

Flippin' fabulous! Not tried the flicked water method, now I will give it a go. xx

Lynne K said...

Gorgeous card, Cath. I love the faux-batik technique. The colours and background are beautiful. x

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

OH MY GOSH. I am missing so much art and lovely techniques by only visiting you on Wednesday. With all this beauty, you have to know I'll be back and not just for WOYWW, either. I'm totally in love with your blog. Thanks for visiting mine and waking me to days other than the middle of the week.

Today's F gets an A from me (grin).

froebelsternchen said...

beautiful!

Netty said...

Some great ideas and techniques, thank you Cath. I love your completed card. Annette x

Minxy said...

oh so pretty

Sarah A said...

More F's for you Cath... Flippin' fantasically fabulous!!

Great colours, love those stamps too!

Sarah x

sam21ski said...

Stunning effects xxx

Lynn Stevens said...

its just stunning & those colors are beautiful!!!

Neet said...

Thanks for the tute! Great colours - and so you.

Jo Capper-Sandon said...

Beautifully put together Cath. Love the soft blended colours.
I hope your son likes/d it as much as I do, especially the sentiment. Hope too that all is well with you and yours x

Paul B said...

Wonderful technique rich card Cath with is fantastic, flawless and flaming fabulous. I kept rude words out of that description too haha. Pxx

Anonymous said...

Tried the water flick method and ended up with a water wash method, lol. Must try harder (see the bg paper for my butterflies on DD's b.day card!).

Lynne Moncrieff said...

What you always do incredibly well, your own backgrounds. Stunning. Lynne x

Lin said...

Gorgeous Cath.

I giggled at the phrase 'you know your own iron'. You are making a BIGGGG assumption there girl! I iron as little as possible and by the time I get it back out again cos of the ME I have forgotten what button does what!

The colours on this sit so beautifully together. I love aquas and mauves combined.

Lin xx