Friday 1 February 2013

Craft Stamper Blog Hop

Craft Stamper Blog Hop: Looking Back

Welcome to this stop on the Craft Stamper Hop! If you don't know about the Hop then be sure to pop over to the Craft Stamper Blog to join in, as there are lots of prizes to be won!


bloghop logo.jpg
I’m Helen and I've been on the Craft Stamper Design Team for more years than I can remember. My style's kind of eclectic and quirky, and I love to experiment with textures, surfaces and new products.
I looked back at all the stuff I'd done for Craft Stamper in 2012 and did have trouble choosing, but eventually decided to do a project using bleach and edge embossing. 

The bleaching method is a really quick and easy way to add highlights to your artwork and the embossing round the edge of a card just opened up a whole new world for me as far as embossing folders were concerned (and a good excuse to buy more!) I've chosen to use a couple of collages from Crafty Individuals.

Stamp the image CI-297 in black StazOn onto white linen card (you MUST use StazOn with the bleach):


Spritz the card with water and then spray with the green, pink and turquoise Dylusions spray inks (available from the Craft Barn):


Let it dry and then paint on the bleach (it won't affect the StazOn) and watch the colour fade out:


 Choose your embossing folders (available from the Craft Barn):


and then start embossing round the edges. Start with the dots:


 Add the floral border next and then the flourish to the bottom left:


Finish off by highlighting the embossed areas with White Fire Treasure Gold (available from PaperArtsy) and mount onto a white card:


Here's an alternative card using the same techniques:




The letter to collect from me is: D
I hope you enjoyed this post. The next person on the Hop is Kate Bentley
If you get stuck go back to http://www.craftstamper.blogspot.co.uk/ for the full list of those taking part.

Thanks for looking!

Helen

Note: Am adding this as several people have commented on it: one embossing folder will cancel out the other to a certain extent (you can see that the dots under the floral flourish have disappeared.) So, you need to work out which pattern you want to dominate and emboss with that last. 
Don't forget, you can always re-emboss an area if you need to by slotting the embossed pattern back into the folder.
Some folders are great for filling in the odd space and diagonally across corners (random dots are great). 
I found any patterns that are very straight or aligned (such as squares) are more difficult to line up - they tend to go wonky which annoyed me! But I would suggest just getting all your folders out and having a go!

PS Thank you for all the lovely comments.

For these cards I've used:
Crafty Individuals stamps: CI-297 Mallard Duck Pair; CI-343 Patriotic London
Dylusions spray inks: Fresh Lime; Bubblegum Pink;Vibrant Turquoise; London Blue; Crushed Grape
Sizzix embossing folders: Dots, Floral Frame; Flourish from Tim Holtz French Connection set; Pocket Watches; Collage
Treasure Gold: White Fire
Good old, bog standard, thick bleach! 


149 comments:

JoFY said...

Love the embossing technique - very cool idea!!

Sue said...

What a fabulous technique Helen, those ducks look amazing xx

Lisa said...

SO cool! I was so glad to see your name on the blog hop list, I always love the colour you bring to your work.

lucretia said...

What beautiful images. I'm quite a big fan of Crafty Individuals as well.

Anonymous said...

WOW WOW WOW!! This is awsome! Now I will have a reattempt working with bleach as in the past I ahvent been that succesfull with it. This just looks fantastic and because of all the pictures a awesome clear and understandable tutorial! Thank you so much for sharing!
Greetings,Stempelientje

Minxy said...

Your work is always Bright, Fun and full of technique, thanks for always sharing your knowledge with us xx

Carol C said...

Gorgeous cards, so detailed and textured. The colours are amazing.x

nannapat said...

This project is beautiful Helen. Thanks for the tutorial, I will definitely be trying it out. Pat x

lucretia said...

Your work is wonderful and I love your tutorial.

Clare said...

WOW, stunning technique!

MayJay said...

Fantastic work, so clever to emboss in that way. I have got to try that! Thank you for years of inspiration via craft stamper.

nannapat said...

Love the colours you've used. I'd forgotten all about the bleaching technique - must give it a go again. Pat x

Irit Shalom said...

What a fantastic tutorial1 Need to try this technique soon!

scrappyjacky said...

Love your mix of colours.

Unknown said...

I'm still trying to figure out how you embossed the card so well doing it multiple times! I love the idea of this technique, the results are amazing.

Lynne Vowles said...

Thanks for sharing, you've made me look at embossing folders in a different way.

Korry said...

I love the effect! too bad I cannot use bleach because of my asthma, but the mix of colours and the embossing around the image, I will give that a go!

Joanne said...

I can't believe how amazing these cards are. I'm going to pop back in a mo and follow your instructions carefully.

Redanne said...

Wow Helen, how fantastic is that technique and as you say a great excuse to get even more embossing folders! Thank you for showing us how too.

Karen said...

WOW Heln, its lovely to revisit these my lovely! Thank you for showing us again xxx

Debs said...

I love this.. the effect is amazing.. thank you so much!

Birgit said...

WOW! Awesome technique! Love your choice of color!

Unknown said...

Wow this is so effective... think i am going to need to go shopping for all these new things i need! :) X

Jeannette v.D. said...

Absolutely love your cards !! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Oh wow, that is so clever and effective, I will definitely try those techniques out. :)

Rianne said...

So glad I did this bloghop. I do read the craft stamper, but never looked at all your blogs. The card is awesome. Thanks for showing

Mole said...

I love the results of this technique - I've tried bleaching before but not with embossing different parts, and using gold etc to highlight. Must try this at home!!!!!

Canonbury creations said...

OMG what an amazing technique, my favourite stop on this hop!!! Thanks for the inspiration Helen:)
Val x

MarkerGeek said...

This is gorgeous, Helen, so vibrant and eyecatching. Thanks for sharing!

craftytrog said...

Hi Helen!
I love your style & use of colour, as you well know! Gorgeous cards as usual!
Alison xx
P.S. looking forward to catching up with you tomorrow! :o)

Karen Buchanan said...

Oh my gosh! This is fantastc, the second one is my favorite. Just recieved some dylusions sprays, can't wait to give this a try!

Inkypinkycraft said...

These are great cards, love howyou have created layers andtextures trace x

Alida said...

wow what a great card and I love your technique, Alida

JansArtyJunk said...

Wow..this looks cool..love the bleaching method to add highlights :)

Tine said...

Great technique and love your colour choices too.

Lesley G said...

Such great techniques :)

Helen Anderson said...

Gorgeous Helen! Definitely giving this one a try :) x

froebelsternchen said...

this is a faboulous tutorial .. think I have to give this a try.. amazing cards you created!
became new follower!
wonderful blog!

xxx
FROEBELSTERNCHEN FROM AUSTRIA

ART-JOURNAL-JOURNEY
MOO-MANIA-CHALLENGE

Anonymous said...

Fabulous embossing technique Helen ! Love how the Treasure Gold highlights it too ! Sue C x

Paula said...

This is fab - I would never have used more than one embossing folder - will have to try it!

Paula, x

Paperfanatic said...

what a stunning technique Helen. I love the colours that you use. Always so vibrant.

roc said...

So beautiful!

Sarah said...

my favourite technique on the blog hop so far - it's so long since I last used embossing folders, but this is making me want to get them out of retirement....

Danielle Champagne said...

Wow! Fabulous technique, I love the effect sooo much. thank you for sharing. Very very lovely Helen, will follow your blog, and come back for more! Cheers from Montreal.

Lucy said...

Fantastic project! As always with you, I want to go and make it straight away! Have been loving your projects in Craft Stamper since I first started to stamp,

Lucy x

Astrid Maclean said...

Fantastic projects, love the different layers you achieved with the folders, so clever, the way the flourish fits over the ducks in the top one is utterly brilliant. Highlighting with Treasure Gold has become one of my all time favourites! Thanks for the clear step by step too!

Kelly said...

I love how you did this, so beautiful. I will stop back to your blog and give it a try.
Thanks for sharing with us
Kelly

ElizabethR said...

Love this technique, there will be no jobs done in this house for weeks lol. Elizabeth x

Rosie said...

These cards are gorgeous.

Thank you for sharing this great idea, Helen. I will try it too.

Alexandra said...

WOW! These are beautiful. All great techniques together. I would never have thought of using so many embossing folders over each other. I'd have thought the second folder would cancel out the texture of the one below. I must give this a go. Thanks for the inspiration.

Artyjen said...

Oooh! How lovely must give that a go ;)
xoxo Sioux

Alice said...

Love this technique, and one I could actually master I think!

Maggie said...

Gorgeous project I have to try this ...now lol; always love your use of colour in your work thanks for sharing.

MaggieH

Joanna Wiśniewska said...

Beautiful work.
Regards, Joanna

Crafting Queen said...

WHat a great idea, never thought to use two embossing folders on the same project like that!

Deborah said...

Always enjoy your colourful and inspiring work in CS!

Helen said...

What a fabulous way to use the dylusions - I must try the bleach technique!

Helen J said...

Great technique, I'll have to give this one a try.

Anonymous said...

gorgeous colours - time to raid the shelf under the kitchen sink again!

Pöydän kulmalla näpertelijä said...

Wow! These are stunning!

Ginger said...

amazing as always Helen, Carol x

Linda said...

Wow! What a stunning effect. Love the bleach technique and the embossing folders just used around the edges look amazing! xx

Unknown said...

lovely to use 2 embossing folders, never did before but wil try it!

groetjes Coby

Gayna said...

Thanks Helen, Am loving the idea of using embossing folders at rakish angles round the edge of your design. Will have to try this now. I'm going to have a busy weekend !!

Janet Wilson said...

Simply gorgeous, but I always love your projects

Words and Pictures said...

How fabulous does that gilded embossing look?! Completely love the duck card, and am now very inspired to go and play with my folders (have to be very patient as I'm working away from home for a couple of days, and already have crafting withdrawal!!) - thanks so much for sharing!
Alison x

Cocofolies said...

Oooh wowww, it's really stunning and the result is absolutely awesome !!!! Thanks dor the step-by-step tutorial also ! have a fab week-end. Coco x

Tinkertaylor said...

Stunning..... can't say anymore

Sara Naumann said...

Absolutely love this technique!!!

ionabunny said...

Absolutely stunning. I have never tried using bleach but love the white areas. Great colours. Thanks so much

Paper Profusion said...

Gorgeous techniques Helen. Nicola x

cathylynn said...

This technique is totally awesome and so are each of your projects. Thank you so much for sharing your technique!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Karen Petitt said...

I remember this technique and I thought that they were and are beautifully vibrant. I will attempt this technique with the supplies that I have to see what I can come up with! I enjoy your articles in CS because you always think 'out of the box' and I really appreciate the fact that you make my supplies do more than one thing! Thank you for sharing hugs Karen

veronica said...

lovely idea - will have to dig out all the old folders i don't use any more and revitalise them!

The Hardy Stamper said...

Wow - I love this idea Helen! The best part is that I already have everything I'd need to try it in my stash!

Carrie Galbraith said...

Oh I just love this! Your work is amazing!
Carrie
1st time hopper!
X

LoraineC said...

Thanks I just love this !!! :)

jojo79 said...

Lovely techniques

Maisie Moonshine said...

What a fabulous technique - I was looking for something to do with my Dylusions - Guess what - I've found it! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Love this effect. Thanks for the tutorial! I'm certainly going to try it!

Cazzy said...

Ooooo I love that technique, and the cards you ended up with! I don't have Dylusions but there must be something else that works with bleach so I can try!

Jane said...

This is just brilliant, I have only just got a Big Shot and have not used the embossing folder yet, I must give it a try. Thanks for sharing

Sandra said...

Thank you so much for the tutorial, what a great technique.
Hugs
Sandra x

theboelemas@aol.com said...

Gorgeous work as usual x

Anonymous said...

I love this technique and admire your crafty talent, creativity and ideas. Thank you so much for sharing :)
Lynn x

okienurse said...

beautiful cards. I love embossing and highlighting with inks and paints. Very nice!

Elly said...

How cool is that!! I've never seen embossing over embossing and it looks absolutly awesome. Have to try bleaching, too. Thanks youuuuu!! (:o)

Patti J said...

Goodness, this is wonderful! Thanks for sharing :)

Unknown said...

Hi Helen, I have loads of embossing folders and must admit I rarely use them, but I think this changes my mind! Love that technique, and thanks for the extra explanation, I was wondering about that myself! Hugs Frea

Brenda Brown said...

A fabulous step by step to create amazing effects. thanks for sharing.
hugs {brenda} x0x

TwinkleToes2day said...

Totally fascinating and completely luscious inking!! :0) Mo

Dawn @ LilyPinkScraps said...

These look amazing - so vivid and I love the bleached-out effect. Definitely going to try this out!

Dawn @ LilyPinkScraps said...

These look amazing - so vivid and I love the bleached-out effect. Definitely going to try this out!

Nan G said...

Gorgeous! I can try this! Thanks for clarifying your embossing steps. Now did you use a shim so the image doesn't get embossed?

Glennis F said...

I love this technique Helen, especially on the ducks one

Krista's Paper Cafe said...

Very cool! I have never heard of embossing w more then one plate! Love it! Can't wait to try.
KristaInMN at gmail dot com
www.KristasPaperCafe.com

Miriam Prantner said...

These look amazing! I love the final step with the metalic highlighting, gorgeous!

Ruth said...

Just love how the treasure gold makes it pop...thankfully I have some, so think I'll have to try this techniques today as well.

kaylou said...

wow , I wouldn't have thought of doing that... love it.
Hugs Kaylou xx

Gill said...

Beautiful colours and fascinating techniques. Thanks
Gill

Michelle Webb said...

Helen Wow! What a fantastic wonderful technique, I really love it. I will be having a go of that for sure. The effect is amazing! So glad to have hopped over to your blog to see it. Hope you are well? Michelle x

Croms' Cubby Hole said...

This looks so amazing that it has to be one of the techniques I try in the very near future. Thank you for the inspiration

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, I love this idea! Nice & messy with a gorgeous end result. Thank you!

Elaine said...

Brilliant cards. Always love your art as you don't shy away from using bright colours!!

Lin said...

OH MY WORD, absolutely gorgeous. I love the colour combinations, the bleaching technique, but the piece de resistance was the embossing at the end. Fabulous!

Lin xx

Linby said...

wow, what amazing work, love the depth you achieved on them.
Linbyx

Sylvia x said...

Fantastic inspirational projects..thank you

Sylvia x

Ellen said...

This looks stunning, espcially with the metallic finish!
Did you mask the image when embossing, to prevent it from being embossed?
Ellen

Siobhan Brignull said...

great technique, multi embossing so cool cant wait to have a go, though am I being thick how do you stop the image getting embossed, sorry if I haven't read it properly

Kim H said...

wow beautiful card. love all the tips and techniques you shared, and used on 1 card. thanks for sharing, and inspiring.

LaJanette said...

This is absolutely stunning! I love the layered embossing and those colors are FANTASTIC!

Thanks for sharing:0)

Hopping along;
Janette

jill said...

This is my favourite project. I love the colours and the embossing technique is one I will definitely try. The finished result is stunning!!

Anonymous said...

Amazing looking cards, they just get better and better. Love Helen

Annette Goodey said...

What amazing cards. Can't wait to try this technique. Thanks for the tutorial.

Jean Hardy said...

Excellent technique Helen - the ducks look scrummy! Jean x

Unknown said...

I haven't used bleach with Dylusions spray inks before - that looks fab. I must give it a go.

Anonymous said...

Hi Helen. Your card is stunning....Who would have thought it was just using bleach and embossing folders? Love it. S x

Barbara said...

Fabulous, I love it!....when each technique is explained 'simply', it makes me think I can do this sort of work....I'm off now to try! Thank you for the inspiration x

Chris said...

A superb technique and I can't wait to try it. X

Unknown said...

Wow, I love the gold on the embossing around the edges. Fabulous projects, thank you so much for the inspiration and the link to the product you used to achieve that effect. Maddy x

Scrapmate said...

What a great effect using all those folders together gives.

Unknown said...

what a great technique Helen, I will try this - and i just love the vibrant colours you work with - just scrummy!

vinny said...

not seen embossing folders used in this way before, thank you for sharing x Lavinia

GA said...

This was so amazing! Love the final card! Thank you!

Art By Wanda said...

Gorgeous card!!!

sjv said...

Love seeing this technique - thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Stunning cards, and love the technique, it has tonnes of impact!!

CRAZYCRAFTSHED said...

A fabulous and fantastic creation wonderful colour's
Hugs Dianne xx :)

Craftychris said...

Fabulous techniques! Will definitely give the embossing a go. Bleach can give me a migraine so will give that a miss! Yours cards are stunning xx

Handmade by Elaine said...

love the embossing idea i would have
never have thought of that! thanks for sharing
Elx

C said...

wow loved this project. Love what you did with the embossing...fantastic. Thanks for sharing xx

lena-dailyscrap said...

Great technique - love the images!

Ellie Knol said...

I read your newest post first, so thank you for the step-by-step!
LOVE your card, and this is a wonderful blog hop!

Ali said...

These cards are gorgeous. I love playing with bleach and I love the vibrant colours of Dylusions sprays so will definitely be having a go at this idea! :D

Ali

Unknown said...

TY Helen, really great techniques, kx

kjjc said...

Gorgeous. Thank you for sharing this technique

Francesca said...

What a great technique, will diffinately give that a go.

DonnaMundinger said...

OMG! What a stunning effect. Gorgeous work! xxD

toni said...

Brilliant! Definitely be doing this love your colour choices as well x

Kezzy said...

Wow Helen what a fantastic idea with the embossing folders it really adds lots of interest. Kezzy xx

Denise Bryant said...

Gorgeous! Great technique... thanks for sharing it with us!
DeniseB

Craftyfield said...

Great techniques and gorgeous cards. The Treasure Gold really transforms the embossing into something magical, love it !

Lura said...

loved all the embossing and the bleach technique, thank you for sharing it. xox

Fliss said...

Finally got to hop Helen and probably last past the post as usual!
What a fabulous technique, so colourful and the embossing is so effective, will definitely try this!
Thanks for sharing.
Fliss xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! Definitely one to try! The colours are fantastic!

Rossella said...

Going off to have a go, thank you.
Rosie x

Eileen said...

Helen.. I love this technique and have posted my 'effort' on my blog today with a link to you here... than you for sharing I really enjoyed making my card . E xx

Zoe said...

I love embossing folders and hadn't thought to just do the edges, it looks fantastic especially with the gold wax, such and inspiration project, I'm definately giving this a go xxx

Hettie said...

Wow! Love it!
Wanna go home now to try it!
xx