Hello everyone! Today I am here with my last tutorial post for the STAMPlorations
mixed media design team this year. Before I get started I just want to
say that it has been a wonderful two years working with these products
and being supported by my warm and caring and very talented teammates.
And, although I am leaving the design team to spend more time on my art
career, I will continue to use my STAMPlorations products in new and creative ways which of course I will continue to share with all of you on my own blog.
So for this final tutorial post I am sharing how you can create fantastic backgrounds using ARTplorations Stencils, Ranger Distress Inks
and Micro Glaze... three products that go together like peanut butter,
honey and bananas. And as usual for me, this is going to be a very
photo-heavy post, so get nice and comfy so you can enjoy the scroll
through all my process photos... Smile.
To be able to really explore this technique I decided to use tags cut
from 140lbs watercolor paper using the largest die from the
CUTplorations Manilla Tag Nesting Dies set. I knew watercolor paper
would stand up much better to the many times I would be using my heat
gun in this process which only has three steps, but with all my inks and
stencils... gave me almost unlimited possibilities! Here is my
Process:
STEP 1: Apply Ink To The Tag Using A Blending Tool
This
will be the main pattern in your background so choose stencil patterns
and colors accordingly. I like using the blending tool because I get
better ink coverage and a very clean pattern. I also use washi tape to
hold the stencil in place so it doesn't move when I go in to layer on
more colors of ink. Once you have finished adding the first layer of
colors use the heat gun to make sure it is completely dry.
STEP 2: Apply Micro Glaze Through The Stencil Over Top Of The Inked Pattern
Remove
and clean the ink off the stencil and then tape the clean stencil over
top of the tag and using a new sponge on the blending tool, apply a
layer of micro glaze. Micro Glaze is a water resistant sealer created
especially for paper and dries with no residue, it just disappears like
magic leaving only the colors behind. Because of this the color
possibilities are endless, because you can protect each layer of color
before adding the next one. The thicker the layer of Micro Glaze the
better the barrier will be between each color of ink so don't be afraid
to really layer it on, even letting the glaze create ridges along the
edges of the stencil.
STEP 3: Add the Background Inks
Now for
the fun part... on your craftmat create pools of ink by smooshing the
ink pad onto the craft mat and spaying the smooshed ink with water until
it puddles.
Dipping the tag into these puddles are how you add the
background color. and the Micro Glaze creates a barrier between the
different colors. Dip and re-dip into one or more colors until you have
the coverage you want.
and then use a heat gun to dry the tag. The heat
also causes the glaze to melt into the paper and disappear, but if there
is any left behind, just use a paper towel to burnish off the excess.
Sometimes the second color of ink dries over top of the glaze but you
can use a baby wipe to wipe off the last color without affecting the
first color.
The more stencils and ink colors you have the more possibilities there
are so don't limit yourself... just play and play! Here are just a few
of the backgrounds I created.
And here are some of the finished tags:
It always amazes me how much YUMMIER everything is after adding a layer of Stickles and Liquid Glass!
Well that's it for this tutorial, I hope it
inspires you to go play with your stencils and if you do, don't forget
to link up to this month's Mixed Media challenge where it is always
anything goes, except a card and you use a stencil, ANY stencil... the
design team always chooses a winner and there are prizes!
And this month with the "Things With Wings" Challenge
going on until the end of the month there are even MORE prizes for join
in by sharing your mixed media project using at least one stencil and
something with wings! (And of course the BIG SALE going on right now)
Lynne Mizera
for the STAMPlorations Mixed Media Design Team
STAMPLORATIONS Products Used:
