Embellishing

Metallic Rub Ons Basic Instructions To Apply the Metallics - apply metallics with your finger or an E-Z Chalk Sponge Applicator. Gently rub the metallic into the project using a circular motion. Use the metallic rub on lightly and sparingly for best results. Metallic Rub Ons are non toxic and virtually acid free. They work best on hard surfaces such as coated glossy or plain papers, vellum, metallic paper, sealing wax, embossing powder designs, wood, polymer clay and ceramics. Rub Ons are beautiful on textured surfaces and will really bring out the details on corrugated and embossed papers. Stencil with Metallics - use metallic rub ons to create beautiful, upscale stenciled designs. Position the stencil over the project, then tape it in place. Gently rub the Metallic Rub On onto the project with your finger. Make sure to work with a small amount of the Metallic Rub On at a time, to prevent 'build up' at the edges of the stencil. Wipe the stencil clean with a clean cloth or paper towel after stenciling is complete. Blend Colours - rub one colour over second to make a mixed colour, or gently work a second colour into the edge of another colour. For best results, choose darker and lighter shades of the same colour, or with complimentary colours. Other Stencil Techniques - stenciling can also be done using a pom-pom held in an alligator clip tool. Rub the pom pom in a small quantity of metallic, then rub it over the stencil design. Darker values for shading can be applied using the same pom pom. Change pom poms when changing colours or moving on to another design motif. The method allows for very easy clean up. Simply throw away the used pom pom, then load the clip with a fresh one! Create Borders - use torn paper to create a template for borders. Position the torn edge 1/2" or more away from the edge of a notecard or other project, then rub the Metallic Rub On over the exposed area of the project. Add Shading or Highlights to Embossed Motifs - add subtle metallic shading to embossed motifs. Rubber stamp project with embossing powder, then emboss with a heat gun. Add shading by rubbing a small quantity of Metallic Rub ons over the embossed image. Add Luster to Polymer Clay - use Metallic Rub Ons to bring out details that have been rubber stamped or embossed into polymer clay. The metallics can also be used over smooth clay surfaces to add a soft metallic luster. Craft-T Products has supplied these tips.

'Polyshrink' Shrink Plastic Brooches, Pins and Buttons These instructions are the intellectual property of Rubbernecker and Print Blocks Pty Ltd. The Rubbernecker stories of stamps with the large main stamp and smaller co-ordinating designs are fantastic for shrink plastic brooches. Glue pieces together with the 'Quick Tite' adhesive gel or use a 1/8" round hole punch and a jump ring or charm hanger. The 1/8" hole shrinks down to the perfect size for jewellry findings or buttonholes. The 'Clear' Shrink Plastic is great for the Fish Bowl story and you can get some great effects stamping on one side, then colouring on the other! For most of the other designs working on the 'Polyshrink' Translucent (Frosted) or White Shrink plastic is preferable, using either the black Fabrico or Non Porous Surface (Permanent) Ink (the latter can stain your stamps and you will need a Stamp Cleaner to clean your stamps afterwards, but it is the best if you get 'into' shrink!). If you want a white background such as in the Dog or Cow story, White Shrink is preferable. Colour in the stamped image with the Fabrico Pens. Use a Blender Pen to lighten the Fabrico Pen colours. Colouring pencils will give a great result too (even your watercolour pencils), but you have to sand the shrink very well with fine sandpaper first. Colours will look very different after shrinking, becoming darker and very dense, particularly the Fabrico pens. Cut out the finished pieces with small scissors, and punch any holes required. Alternatively, the outline can be stamped and cut out and colouring done after shrinking. TIP - Make a test chart of all your colouring pens and pencils on each type of shrink and label each with the black fabrico pen. Shrink with the Emboss It Heat Tool or in the over as per instructions, to give you a useful reference colour chart. Place piece on a heatproof surface (cutting mat or paper pad) and apply heat with the 'Emboss It' heat tool until the piece shrinks and flattens. You may flip the piece over to help it flatten out and sometimes five a final press with the lid of a stamp pad or a metal spatula. Allow to cool before handling. Seal the finished piece with spray varnish.

Brush Markers & Pens These provide a multitude of ways to enhance your projects. They are available in many brands, colours and designs with bullet, chisel and brush tips. Brush markers may be used directly onto the stamp in place of ink or used to colour the stamped images. Depending on the depth of colour required they may be used directly onto the paper surface or used in conjunction with a blender pen, paintbrush or water brush pens. By applying some colour to a non absorbent surface such as a tile, dinner plate or plastic you may then pick up some colour with your choose of colouring tool. The more colour you apply the stronger the finished result, this is an ideal way to tone your colouring such as flower petals etc. Embossing pens are also available on the market today, giving you a slow drying ink to work with and apply embossing powder to. You are able to style your own messages, draw your own designs and be as creative as you wish. Fabric and brush markers are also available for multipurpose crafts with ink suitable to use on wood and fabrics. They may require heat setting to prevent them being washed out or bleeding etc. Following the manufacturers specifications will ensure a quality finished project. Gel pens are available in a huge range of colours from pastels to metallics to enhance any project. Acid free pens are ideal to journal your scrapbooking pages etc.

Embossing Powders A vast array of embossing powder is available on the market today to enhance your stamped images in different colours and effects. The powder is made from a fine plastic that will adhere to wet inks and tacky surfaces such as glue, adhesive tape etc. The powder melts on heating and once cool 'sets' leaving a raised glossy finish. Depending on your project and your needs will determine your choose of powder from metallics, tinsels, foils, pearls, puffs, holographic, opaque. This is a very popular choice for wedding invitations giving that elegant professional finish. With opaque powder the finished image will be the colour of the powder regardless of the colour of the ink underneath. To retain the powder colour it is best to use a clear embossing/pigment ink to stamp the image, this will ensure if any area of the image was not covered completely with the powder the ink colour will not shine through. Alternatively to use the same colour ink as the embossing powder this will show an imperfections less as you will see the matching ink colour instead of the card colour coming through. If using translucent powder the colour of the final image will take on the colour of the ink used. The ink colour will be seen through the embossing powder even though it has added sheen or sparkles to the image. Another form of embossing powder also available is Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE); this is a large grained powder, which melts giving a beaded or lumpy finish with one application. The more powder applied over the top the smoother the finish becomes giving an almost glass like appearance on approximately three coats.

Glossy Accent Techniques While wet sprinkle glitter over Glossy Accents areas for added glitz. Apply Glossy Accents to a desired surface. Once dry, cover the entire surface with an acrylic craft paint for a fabulous textured result. Create colourful, translucent Glossy Accents. Pop off the tip of your Glossy Accents bottle and add several drops of ink. Replace the tip and cap and gently mix until the colour is evenly distributed. More drops will make the colour deeper. Coloured Glossy Accents work beautifully as decorative glass accents. Depending on your project and your needs will determine your choose of powder from metallics, tinsels, foils, pearls, puffs, holographic, opaque. This is a very popular choice for wedding invitations giving that elegant professional finish. With opaque powder the finished image will be the colour of the powder regardless of the colour of the ink underneath. To retain the powder colour it is best to use a clear embossing/pigment ink to stamp the image, this will ensure if any area of the image was not covered completely with the powder the ink colour will not shine through. Alternatively to use the same colour ink as the embossing powder this will show an imperfections less as you will see the matching ink colour instead of the card colour coming through. If using translucent powder the colour of the final image will take on the colour of the ink used. The ink colour will be seen through the embossing powder even though it has added sheen or sparkles to the image. Another form of embossing powder also available is Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE); this is a large grained powder, which melts giving a beaded or lumpy finish with one application. The more powder applied over the top the smoother the finish becomes giving an almost glass like appearance on approximately three coats.