Stamptember Challenge: Emboss Resist Technique

Stamptember challenges continue in The Clique group on Facebook and I created a couple of projects to demonstrate using a stamped resist technique with heat embossing and mixed media . I started my background by using a Ranger embossing ink pad with the stamp "Take the scenic route" and sprinkled clear embossing powder over the stamped image, tapping the excess powder off onto a piece of paper. I used my heat tool to cure the embossing powder and let it cool to set it completely. Then I used some distress inks diluted with water in pink, yellow, and aqua  with a flat watercolor brush to wash color over the stamped and embossed words! I used up the diluted ink by sprinkling drops over the rest of the page.
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Next, I pulled out the Floral Frame Dies Bundle (Pinkfresh Studios) and the More Stamptember Kit with Flora & Fauna stamps and dies. The Paige Evans paper that consists of 2x2 squares of different patterns in the Go the Scenic Route Sampler Kit was perfect to use with the square dies because they were exactly the right size for the square floral frame dies. I cut the paper into rows and was able to run 6 squares through at a time. I cut enough squares to create a grid design on my background and decided to add variety by using some of the negative pieces from the dies also. 

I cut the Flora And Fauna butterflies from white cardstock and glued them down only along the body so that the wings could be bent up slightly. Then I layered some ephemera from the collection with some negative scraps from die cutting behind my photo including a journaling spot to hand write the story behind the photo. The final embellishments were acrylics pieces and a rubber word from my stash.

​One of the reasons why I love the Pinkfresh Studio floral frame dies, besides the fact that they were designed by my friend graphic designer Inna Moreva, is because they are so versatile. And as a bonus, since Paige Evans usually has a 2x2 square grid paper in every collection, every time I use them with a different collection I can get a whole new look. This die set together with the sister set of circles  will be one I use over and over for both layouts and cards. 

After completing the layout I realized that I didn't really show the clear embossed stamping before the paint so I did a mini art journal page  also! In this photo you can see how I broke the blank pages by stamping around the pages and heat embossed the flowers I stamped with clear embossing powder.

Here I used the same wash technique with different shades of watercolor paint for my background. The embossed flower doodles really pop once the paint is dry. To complete the spread I used the "tweet" bird and branch stamp from the More Stamptember kit, some washi tape, and a rainbow sticker from Elle's Studio from an older kit. The Frida stamp is an art stamp by Tandi Art distributed by A.B. Studio from Poland.  You may have noticed that I am a big Frida fan and love having her around as a muse. I used the Catherine Pooler midnight ink pad to stamp her outline and then colored her with watercolor paints. I find this process so relaxing. I fussy cut her out and adhered her to the page with matte medium. Last I stamped the word "bloom" to finish the spread. I have several different art journals in different sizes on my desk all the time because they are the best way for me to "warm up" and play with my supplies and experiment with different techniques. 

I hope you are inspired to try some stamp-emboss-resist mixed media technique this week and share your work in The Clique for a chance to win a prize! Everyone who posts a project is entered to win and this month there are both a mood board challenge and 4 stamping challenges for a total of 4 different chances to win a $25 store credit! Feel free to invite friends also-- it is easy to join our private group and play along and no purchase is necessary. Just bring an interest in papercrafting (answer 3 simple questions) and  all are welcome. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!