Faux Dry Embossing

Here is a fun technique and so easy to do. You will see this on the Juniper piece of Cardstock.

You first want to stamp your design using the pigment White Daisy Ink Pad. Then clean your stamp and ink it up with Juniper Ink and stamp on top of the white but slightly off set. Go slightly down and to the right. This will give you a great look as if it was actually dry embossed.

I told you the colors I used, however, you would always use the white, but use the same color ink as the cardstock you are stamping it onto. So, get creative and try different colors of cardstock.

Faux Stitching

Faux stitching is a fun way of making it look like there is stitching on your card without actually getting your sewing machine out. However, getting out the machine would be faster.

I use the coluzzle mat and the piercing tool for this but you could use the mat that now comes with the piercing tool.

Get a piece of plastic mesh and use it as a guide. My piece is 10" X 1" (or 7 squares wide). I like to have an odd number of squares for the width because it helps you to find the center if you need to.

Lay the plastic mesh centered on the area you want to have the stitching. Then start piercing holes in each square. Make sure they are deep enough so you have a nice size hole.

Then using a white gel pen, make lines between each hole. Not all gel pens are the same. The best one I've found is a brand called Inkssentials. I carry them in stock if you're interested in purchasing one. Unfortunately, CTMH does not sell them.

Using Liquid Glass

Lovin’ Liquid Glass

Tips for using the product: Prior to use, at least 5 minutes, place the bottle upside down in a coffee cup, letting all the air bubbles rise to the top, which now is really at the bottom of the bottle. Once you start applying Liquid Glass, try not to pick the tip up off your project until it is completely covered… so there are no air bubbles. The key is to move SLOOOOOWLY. It may take a little longer to get all of the work covered, but the outcome is well worth it! If you DO experience air bubbles, usually you can use a push pin or other sharp object to “pop” the bubble. You can also use the tip of the bottle to move the Liquid Glass around. Keep a push pin handy to clear any clogs out of the dispenser. Other Ideas for Use:

1. “Spot Glass” -apply straight from the bottle to give a raised effect to any stamped image.

2. It can and does change the ink color a little bit when you apply liquid glass on a stamped
image. Sometimes it's a really good thing. Sometimes it can be a bad thing. Reds tend to be
tricky.

3. Always start with a thin coat and then add additional coats until desired thickness.

4. “All Over Gloss” -Layer it on a paintbrush to give a smooth glass-like finish.

5. Using it over the metallic pencils works really well, colors are more vivid.

6. After applying it to image, sprinkle a little Prisma Glitter on top. Great as a candle flame, campfire, etc

7. To give it color, add a drop or 2 of a re-inker.
¨ Using a paintbrush, apply the LG that you mixed with re-inker to any metal elements
(brads, hinges, etc) to give them a colored-metallic effect.
¨ With LG mixed with re-inker, paint to fill in a stamped image
¨ Or mix it with your Prisma Glitter to embed the glitter and paint it on.

8. Use it as glue for those hard to hold magnets, pen backs, embellishments-charms or wire.

9. Use it to glue vellum to card stock. It won’t show through. I’ve found the best way to keep
vellum from wrinkling or “poofing up” is to apply it with a fingertip or Q-tip applicator, not
just straight from the bottle.

10. Spice up clear acrylic embellishments by using Liquid Glass to glue patterned paper to the
embellishment.

11. Use it on our My Stickease to accent and add dimension.

12. Use on top of a completed, stamped Sculpting Foam element to make it look like a button.

13. Use to attach page elements (especially good with clear items): metals, vellum, transparencies, Sassy Strands, Ribbon Slides & our new Just Blooms paper flowers.

14. Use to add any kind of water effect to a page: bubbles, water droplets, or just to make something look wet.

15. If you have a dull metal object you can make it look shiny again by adding a thin layer of
glaze

16. Use to highlight designs on our Background Textured Paper (ex: flowers, dots, or even
geometric figures – any area you may want to draw attention to, or add interest!)

17. Use on a photo to make an object stand out.

18. Make clear epoxy type stickers with it.

19. Fill conchos with it.

20. Drop it on a transparency the size of the picture you’re using and then hold it up and let it
drip down. When it dries, put in front of your picture and it looks like the picture has water
on it. Great for water park or slip-and-slide pictures.

21. Don’t want a knot/bow in a piece of ribbon or fiber to keep slipping out? Add a dot of liquid
glass on the back – it dries clear, rarely (if ever) discolors, and holds like crazy!

22. Pound down a bottle cap. Cut a photo down to size and put it inside the bottle cap. Glue down
with double-stick tape. Cover with the glaze and let it harden. Love the look!

23.Trace over words in your journaling or on patterned paper to highlight.

24. Place small amounts on a sheet protector. When it's dry it peels right up and you can then
add it to your project by placing a small amount of liquid glass around the edges to adhere it
to your project. If you want to draw certain shapes, stick a piece of cardstock with the shapes
on it in your sheet protector and then you can draw on top of them... Too fun!!!

25. Simulate dew on a petal by adding little droplets to flowers. You can also add it to the petals
of actual dried flowers or fabric ones. This really does look like dew and you won't spend a
fortune buying designer ones from stores.

26. Highlight only special lines on an image.

27. Use LG to outline your image. This provides the look of embossing without needing the heat
tool. This looks especially inviting when used as "frosting" of a cake.

28. Try applying the LG in layers. Apply a thick line of LG to the outline of your stamped image.
Allow that to dry and then come back with a brush and apply a thinner coat of LG to the
inside area that you outlined. Allowing time to dry between applications will keep the areas
from merging and will add depth and make the image look 3-D. You can also add a 3rd and
4th layer by applying a second coating to an area that has already dried. It will really make
your images POP!

29. It truly gives the look of glass and as such looks wonderful when used on glass items such as
the light bulb in the Little Inspirations set or the Christmas lights in the Border Builders set.
Makes the lights shine. Use LG on the fish bowl in the Little Hellos stamp set or use it to
create a faux glass "Bug Jar" and use one of the bug sets to stamp some bugs to go in the jar.

30. Experiment with different applicators to add textured patterns to your stamp art. Use a
paintbrush to apply a thin coat and swirl the bristles to create small circles, half moons, or
squiggles to achieve different results. (Think of those large professional portraits that have
circles swirled over them to make them look like paintings). Use a stencil brush to dab on LG
for a rougher texture. Use a sponge to create a spackled look.

31. Use it for "fray check" on the ends of your ribbon after you have cut them to the desired
length.

32. Add LG to areas of images that you've dry embossed and achieve even more "pop!”

33. Use LG on large areas in your photos that are glass, such as a rear view mirror, sunglasses,
fish bowls, pet water bowls & vases. It is NOT self-leveling, so you can work with it in
shaped areas.

34. Sponge it on and use the tip to make water droplets.

35. Ideas for specific stamp sets:
¨ Solos- many include a stamp of a vase with flowers. Color the water with blue marker &

add Liquid Glass. Fun!
¨ C1184 Frogs- add LG to the frog’s back & the lily pad.
¨ C1203 Totally Chic- add LG to the purses.
¨ C1211 Birthday Invitation- add to candle flames.
¨ C1212 Skeleton Leaves- apply LG to center vein & then to the veins going out from
center.
¨ C1244 Glistening Snow- add to two snowflakes & dots above snow.
¨ D1160 Friendship Flowers- accent dots in flower centers.

Compiled by Sue Laufer. Thanks to Dana Terry, Melissa McBride, Julia Caruso, Sally Lynn MacDonald, Tina Sutton, Dawn Heuft & the CTMH Bulletin Board for all the ideas!

Reflection Technique

Reflection Technique

Stamp your image on white cardstock. If it’s an outline image to be colored in, emboss with clear EP.
Stamp the same image of a piece of vellum cut to size. If stamping with black, it’s best to use the black archival pad because it’s a darker black. Then emboss with clear EP.
Color in image on CS.

Before coloring in the vellum, lay it down at the bottom of the stamped image to be sure that you do have the mirror image of the one above. Then flip it over and color the back side.

Attach the vellum right under the original stamped image with a thin line of mono adhesive going all the way across in one solid line.

It’s best to camouflage the edge of the vellum with liquid appliqué or glitter.

Dryer Sheet and Glitter

Dryer Sheet Background with Glitter

Stamp your background using fairly dark or bright colors.

When completely stamped, put the piece in a box in a well ventilated area or outside and spray the top of your CS with a spray adhesive. Don’t get it too wet. If it’s too wet and comes through the dryer sheet, you will have a big mess.

Immediately, cover with a USED dryer sheet and smooth out all wrinkles and make sure all edges are adhered.

You may trim the edges flush or wrap around the back and glue in place.

Immediately place your piece face up on some sort of tray or protected area where excess glitter can be picked back up.

Apply glitter to the entire top of your dryer sheet and rub in.

Pick up and tap off all excess glitter. You may also use a brush to brush off all excess glitter.

Depending on the background and the look you are going for, you could just use the dryer sheet and eliminate the glitter.

Not all dryer sheets are the same. Some may give you a nicer look. Experiment with different brands.

Double Pocket Fold

Step One: Fold the paper in half, from long-side to long side. Open paper.

Step Two: Fold the paper in half again from the other side (from "short-side" to "short-side"). Open paper. There are now 4 quadrants.

Step Three: Use trimmer to cut the paper on the fold on one of the long sides (should be 5-1/2" from each edge, at center). Cut down to the center point, where the folds meet.

Step Four: Turn paper so that the long ends are vertical. Fold the bottom right corner so that the edge meets the edge of the center vertical fold.

Step Five: Fold the top left corner so that there is 1-1/2" from the edge of the folded cardstock and the center vertical fold (this is a smaller fold than the one at the bottom).

Step Six: Fold the entire top left quadrant over at the fold until it meets the other side of the paper.

Step Seven: Fold the left bottom quadrant under the left right quadrant.

Step Eight: Fold the right bottom corner up to match the first fold.

Step Nine: Use adhesive to attach all loose edges. Decorate tags and outer edges of the card as desired. This card does NOT open - the tags and items used to fill the pockets are the "card."

DESK CADDY
SUPPLIES:
(1) 12” x 12” Cardstock
(1) each 12x12 B&T Duo paper, two patterns
(2) 18”pieces of ribbon. May also use just one piece.

INSTRUCTIONS:
Score the 12x12 cardstock at 4” & 8”. Turn and score again in the
Opposite direction at 4” & 8”. You now have 9 scored squares.

Score the CORNER squares diagonally, from point towards center of paper.

Cut four 3 ¾” squares of B&T Duo paper. Mount on each of the four solid squares centered.

Cut four 3 ¾” squares of other pattern B&T Duo Paper. Cut each
Diagonally to form triangles. Mount on the diagonally-scored squares centered.

Punch holes in each of the four points. You may add eyelets if you want. Embellish as desired.
Fold on all score lines. Crease well.

TWO OPTIONS HERE!
1. Thread ribbon from outside to inside on two opposite points. Then thread them from the inside
to outside on other two points. Pull together and tie in bow.
2. Thread one length of ribbon through two points diagonally across caddy.
Thread other the opposite direction. Hold together and tie in bow.

Note 1: You may choose to spray with craft sealer before adding ribbon to give caddy some protection.
Note 2: placing something heavy in the bottom can help keep caddy from tipping over. Or, fill with
about ¾” deep of dried beans or peas can help pens stand upright.
To made an insert to hold small items, cut matching cardstock 3 7/8” x 8”. Score long side at 3 3/8”
and adhere that side to the inside of a solid side. Pull the loose end towards the middle about 2 ¼” and
using a strong adhesive, attach the corners to the sides.

These can be used on a desk, or wrap plastic utensils in a napkin & place a band of matching B&T
around to hold them together and fill for a picnic. How about filling it with candy or make an Easter
basket out of it. Make matching note pads, a pen, Jumbo embellished paper clips. You can even put
photos on the solid side. You are only limited by your imagination!

Z Fold Card

Inside of Card

Z-Fold Card

Supplies:-

Scoring Blade/Tool

Stamps and Inks

Base Cardstock: cut to 5-1/2" x 4-1/4"

Pull-out Cardstock: cut to 10-3/4" x 4"

Designer Paper or Stamped Paper: 2-3/4" x 4"

Second Designer/Stamped Paper: 2-3/4" x 4"

Adhesive

Cardstock for Center Embellishment

Step One:Score the long cardstock (the "pull-out" cardstock) at 5-1/4" from one end and
2-3/4" from the other.

Flip paper to other side when scoring from the other end so you fold AWAY from the score.

Step Two:Fold the cardstock in so that it looks like a "Z".

Step Three:Use adhesive to attach the base cardstock to the 5-1/4" x 4" portion of the pull-out cardstock.

Step Four:Use adhesive to attach the first piece of the designer paper or stamped cardstock to the top of the Z-fold.

Step Five:Use adhesive to attach the second piece of designer paper/decorated paper to the far right edge of the pull-out cardstock. Align the edge of the decorated paper with the edges of the long cardstock (keeping the base card exposed).

Step Six:Stamp the inside of the pull-out cardstock.

Step Seven:Create an embellishment or tag to be placed over the center half of the closed z-fold.

Apply adhesive to only half of the piece.

Card can be pulled to the side or from the bottom. (vertical or Horizontal)