Mercart Metal Embossing Class

Today, I helped with a class at CHA! In perspective, I was just a small part but it was certainly exciting for me.

Magdalena, from Mercart, taught the class called Everyday Embossing.

Each student made a pewter medallion using metal embossing tools on pewter. The best part was that I learned, too. I basically moved around the room to help anyone with questions. It was so gratifying to see the excitement of all the students. It's pretty amazing to see a piece of flat metal transformed into a dimensional design.

I'm inspired to get back to metal embossing!

Today, I can say.....

........from sunny California!

-judy

A Treasure Box

I'm sharing a little trinket box today to which I added a pewter embossed top.

I started with an unfinished wooden box that I found at a craft store. I stained it black with ink from a black dye reinker........I was too lazy to go down to the basement to find some wood stain. It worked!

For the top, I cut a piece of chipboad slightly smaller than the box top. I used that to determine the size of the pewter. I drew the flower & verse on paper and traced it onto the metal. I embossed (raised up) the flower & debossed (dented in) the verse. Then I worked the other design elements around the verse until I was happy with it. A blackening solution darkened the verse & other debossed areas. With the proper tools, it's really easier than it looks.

If you want to see some amazing embossed metal art, check out the work of Magdalena at Mercart. She does amazing things! I met her at CHA a couple summers ago. I was drawn to her booth by all the wonderful tools she had displayed. We had a chance to chat and become friends. I later bought one of her books. Her techniques inspired me when I created this box top. I always stop at her booth whenever I get to CHA. She and her mother are wonderful people, incredible at their craft!

Remember.......treasure special moments spent with a friend.

Thanks to all of you, my friends, for visiting!

-judy

Happy Winter

Finally.......I found some time to play.


I started with a background created with Ranger Alcohol inks on glossy paper.....a scrap I had leftover from some of my Christmas cards.
I stamped the Tim Holtz branch (Letter to Santa set) several times with Distress Embossing Ink (Ranger) & embossed them with White Puff powder (also Ranger).
I really like the dimension of the white branches. To give the branches sparkle, I stamped over them with embossing ink & embossed with Polysparkle (Ranger). Since the Polysparkle is clear with sparkle, it's not absolutely necessary to get the second stamping exactly over the first image. The photo doesn't quite show all the sparkle........the effect is like frost on the branches.
I also added some snowflakes embossed with Polysparkle.
The "happy winter" oval was cut with a Spellbinders die. I used a Penny Black alphabet set to stamp the verse & embossed it with Polysparkle. Then I added the snowflakes with Adirondack Lights Aqua. I rubbed a light coat of the Aqua ink over the whole oval & embossed it with Polysparkle. A little bow & a violet mat finish it.
The card front is Bazzill bling cardstock.....a bit hard to see in the photo.
happy winter stamping!
-judy

Artistic Outpost New Releases

Today, Artistic Outpost is releasing the new stamp plates for December! Click here to see them on the AO blog.

As a Guest Designer, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with a set called Fortune Teller.

Fortune Teller -

To tell the future, a gift exploited for fun or fortune, has had its place in the folklore and legends of most of the world's cultures.

Here's my first creation with some of the stamps.

I really like this gypsy woman....she seems to look right into one's heart. She's colored with Copic markers & distressed, too. I added some embossed copper tape & floss with beads....my interpretation of a fortune teller.

Here's a closer look at the beads & paper pierced design......a fun card to create!

I have a few more samples to show you in the next few days. I think my designs will also be on the AO blog with the new stamps. So exciting for me!

Enjoy!

-judy