Friday, April 25, 2008

Hot Cuttlebug Smoosh (using craft ink & e.p.)

Okay, this card (two down below) was bugging me: it was a little BORING for a kid. So here's the revamped version. Are the stars too much?

After:

Before:


The cuttlebug smoosh, ink embossing, & inking the negative are all the rage right now, so I thought I'd try something similar. We could call it 'hot cuttlebug embossing' since you'll need your heat gun. It's really very similar to those other techniques but you use Craft ink and add embossing powder after you cuttlebug it. Here's how:
  1. Cut cardstock to size (I used Naturals White) (if you cut roughly larger than you want then you can trim later for pristine edges (the paper stretches during cuttlebugging)
  2. Ink desired area of cuttlebug embossing folder with craft ink or versamark--just press your stamp pad all over it; takes a while to get it covered (I used white craft ink-I like the tone on tone.)
  3. Add your cardstock to the cuttlebug folder & run it through.
  4. Sprinkle clear embossing powder on your newly inked cardstock.
  5. Heat gun it.
  6. Work another colour of ink into the cracks/grooves. (I've used Soft Sky ink & I find ink goes on deepest with a sponge and a reinker, but you could use an ink pad.)

Click on this pic (or the others) for a closer look at the texture:
You can't tell in this photo, but the first photo, above, shows you the shine it has from the embossing powder. Here are the other card details:

To make the helicopter from SU's retired By Air set:
  1. Emboss helicopter with Versamark & clear e.p. on Blue Bayou cardstock
  2. Emboss helicopter blade in silver ink & silver e.p. on Blue Bayou c.s.
  3. Cut both out separately.
  4. Add embellishment to helicopter (I've used eyelets, silver zigpainty marker & a brad)
The metal "hello" tag behind the helicopter is made using a dymo aluminum label maker. It's dressed up with cardstock mats, an eyelet & a wire. The side pieces are composed of 6 tags punched with SU's tag punches: 4 large tags in Not Quite Navy with Blue Bayou ink over them & 2 small tags in Marigold Morning with Marigold Morning ink over them. Tags are such an easy way to add colour cause there's no precision cutting. :0) The little silver dots are made with a Zig painty pen.

Thank you so much for stopping by & I can't thank you enough for your wonderful comments. It's enough to keep a girl blabbin! :0)


P.S. 1o1 more things you can do with your cuttlebug

P.P.S. I needa kid. You gotta kid? Great kid crafting site here.

16 comments:

  1. this is adorable, and great technique, thanks for the info. have a great weekend.

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  2. I love it! It is really clever! and the look of the card is just stunning!

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  3. Hey Mel! Love your cuttlebug technique of heat embossing it!! The results are fantastic! I love how you come up with such cool stuff!

    Maria

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  4. This is so stinkin cute, Mel! They're both great cards but I like the one with the stars the best!
    Have a great weekend!!!

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  5. I like the updated version better. It's got more to see for the little one. Great card! I love looking at all your techniques!

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  6. This is a totally awesome idea! How do you keep coming up with something totally fresh and new?

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  7. Love it! I like it best with the stars myself but both are fab!

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  8. I think it looks really good with the stars.

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  9. Great technique. I love that stars - I don't think its too much at all.

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  10. hi,thanks for the visit...nice blog,nice work.Kisses....

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  11. Hiya Mel! I like the stars! : )

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  12. I like the stars on the card....great for a kid!!!!

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  13. Love it with the stars!! That's a really neat technique that you've shared, I may have to try that!

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  14. Mel, this is amazing! My boys would LOVE this card and I think the stars add the right amount of pizzazz to finish it off! I'm off to try the new technique - thanks for sharing!
    Danielle

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♥ Thank You so much sharing your thoughts. It means the world! ♥ Mel