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Monday, October 18, 2010

Under the Northern Lights

This week's challenge at H2H is to add dry or heat embossing to a project. I went a little crazy with the embossing, (I love embossing!) I used 4 different embossing techniques:

1. Cuttlebug embossing using divine swirls folder on vellum:
Tip: Vellum tends to crack when embossing like this, I found misting it with water first really helped.



2. Dry embossing by scoring a border with a stylus, then sanding the raised edge to reveal the white core of CTMH cardstock:















3. Heat embossed text, using clear detail embossing powder on sentiment while ink is still wet, then melting it with a heat gun. The effect is subtle and hard to photograph, but IRL you can see the shine and feel the raised edge of the font:


4. Heat embossing the main image with white embossing powder, which was then cut out and popped up on 3D squares to give it some dimension:
                                     

And, I put them all together to make this scene: (you can click on the pic for a larger view)
                            
 I made several attempts on scrap paper to get the northern lights effect that I was looking for. If you've ever seen them from Northern Alberta, you know that it is a beautiful sight. I have seen them dance and change colors from pinks to greens, and the ethereal glow they cast on the landscape below is just amazing. However, it is difficult to photograph, much less draw. I used white daisy pigment ink and dabbed it on in a random "dancing" pattern, then while the ink was still wet, I dragged a dry paintbrush through it. Next I used a dry brush to "paint" the colors on with teal and purple chalks. The white pigment ink caught some of the colors of the chalks. The overall effect wasn't exactly what I was going for, but this is as close as I could get to the "image" in my mind!

I then added a Christmas star, embossed it with white daisy embossing powder, then filled it in with some stardust glitter gel, which I also used as glistening snow.  I finished it off with some tiny stars (Northern Lights can only be seen on a clear night) using  a CTMH White Daisy marker. I just love the sentiment, it couldn't be more true!

Isn't embossing fun?! Now, pop on over to H2H for some more fabulous embossing inspiration from the uber-talented design team, then play along and create something using an embossing technique. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

Thanks for visiting my blog!
Lorrinda

Recipe:
CTMH products:
Stamp Sets: C1424 Nature's Gift (bear and sentiment)
                  D1305 Gloria (star)
Papers: Cardstock in White daisy(snow and card base), 
                             Twilight(bear),
                              and Outdoor Denim(sky)
            Vellum paper
Embossing powders: White Daisy and Clear Detail
White daisy pigment ink pad
White daisy marker
Versamark ink pad
Summer Soft Chalks
Glitz Glitter gel in Stardust
Tools:  Dry embossing/scoring stylus
           Sanding kit
                Craft heater
           Paper trimmer

Other products:
Cuttlebug and Divine Swirls embossing folder
Paintbrush

24 comments:

  1. Lorrinda, this is amazing! Your artwork is always beautiful but I think you've outdone yourself with this one!!

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  2. This is gorgeous! I bought this set and now have some inspiration! TFS

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  3. WOW! WOW! WOW! You really rocked this challenge. Gorgeous card.

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  4. Wow, your card is stunning! I've seen the northern lights and I think you've done a pretty fabulous job; they look like the real thing!

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  5. Beautiful card! Your northern lights look fantastic.

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  6. I have seen the Northern Lights too, and you've captured them really well. I love this card, great job.

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  7. Wow, this is amazing! I'm also in Alberta (found the card thanks to Big Red Scraps, the commenter above me) and I agree, well done capturing them!

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  8. A M A Z I N G ! I live in Victoria now, but was born and raised in Saskatoon......I miss watching the Northern Lights! Your card captures them perfectly, Lorrinda! This is a wonderful piece of art!

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  9. I love this card. I am obsessed with the northern lights and you captured them perfect.
    Plus I liked the swirls on the Polar bear

    Laura

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  10. This card is truly amazing and beautiful! You are a very talented artist!!!

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  11. Wow, I just discovered your blog today and I had no idea what I was missing! I LOVE your work and can't wait to come back and see more - you are such an inspiration, TFS!

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  12. One of the things that I would like to see in my lifetime...
    Jaw-dropping, gorgeous, stunning, amazing, ... I LOVE it! You're incredibly talented! :)

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  13. I love the effect of everything put together. I might just have to attempt your Northern lights technique. Stunningly Beautiful!

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  14. Hi Lorrinda

    WOW!! This is incredible, just crazy awesome! You have really outdone yourself here.

    The Northern Lights look amazing and I love the variety of embossing you have used.

    Totally inspirational creation.

    Thanks for linking up to "Make It Monday" this week.

    Michelle :-)

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  15. I LOVE your northern lights!!! EXCELLENT job and I'm glad that you explained the process!

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  16. Absolutely stunning! Reminds me of the Northern Lights when I lived up North. Incredible card!

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  17. Living in the south, I've never seen the northern lights, but seeing your card makes me feel like I am seeing them.

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  18. Gorgeous card!!!! Totally rocked those embossing techniques! Thanks for joining in with the DT this month!

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  19. I am so in love with this card. You did an amazing job..especially on the nothern lights. You are inspiring!

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  20. I absolutely flipped when I saw your card, it is GORGEOUS!!! I scraplifted and made one of my own...it's taken me this long to sign-on to comment and post however. If only there were more hours in the day! ;O) Thanks so much for the beautiful inspiration and the directions for the northern lights!!!

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  21. I ♥ your card!!! It is so fantastic!! You have totally captured Northern Lights. I remember this phenomenon from my childhood, thanks for bringing back great memories!! ♥ Kim

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  22. Stunning card - all the work you put into it definitely paid off! Holy Embossing batman! =) Wonderful job. I love how you set up your post, I was so excited to see the final product.

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