Color & Contour with Gold Leafing

First, let me admit that I’m a paper hoarder, and the more gorgeous the paper, the more I hoard. Isn’t that silly? What’s the point of having beautiful paper if you can’t share it? I’m really trying to mend my ways, and this might help. I love, love, LOVE the Expressions in Ink Specialty Designer Series Paper, especially the sheets with the “alcohol background” and gold veins. So to help me use it more, I learned to make my own.

I had an idea to add my own gold leafing to an alcohol background card. Before I had a chance to experiment, someone else had the same idea, So while it looks like I’m CASEing (Copy and Share Everything), I’m really not.

For this background, I used Vellum Cardstock with Dark Shaded Spruce and Dark Polished Pink Stampin’ Blends. First, scribble on the vellum with the Stampin’ Blends, making sure the scribbles don’t touch and there’s a little bit of room between them. Then paint around the edges of each scribble using 91% Isopropyl Alcohol and a Water Painter or paint brush. The ink should begin to bleed and run. Tilt the Vellum to move the ink around a little more. When you’re satisfied with it, you can either wait for it to dry or use your heat tool to speed the drying process. If it’s not dark enough, you can add more Stampin’ Blends and alcohol after it’s dry.

When it’s completely dry, use a Fine-tipped Glue Pen to draw veins over the Vellum. Then place your vellum ink/glue side down into Gilded Leafing. Use a Stamping Sponge to wipe away the excess leafing, and you have a gorgeous background piece.

Stamp the flower from the Color & Contour Stamp Set on Basic White Cardstock using Smoky Slate Classic Ink, stamping off one time before stamping on the card stock. Stamping off will ensure that your outlines are very light. I thought that Tuxedo Black Memento or Basic Gray would be a little harsh, so I opted for the “no-line” look. Color the flower with Stampin’ Blends. I used Polished Pink and Shaded Spruce. Die-cut the flower with the coordinating die in the Scalloped Contours Dies. These dies can be bundled with the Color & Contour Stamp Set for a 10% savings.

Stamp the sentiment on another small piece of Basic White Cardstock using Shaded Spruce Classic Ink and die-cut with one of the Scalloped Contours Dies.

I though about adding ribbon or other embellishments, but I really liked it the way it was. Layer the vellum to a piece of Basic White Cardstock that’s the same size as the velum. Use the Painted Texture 3D Embossing Folder with a piece of Shaded Spruce Cardstock, then layer the vellum to the Shaded Spruce piece, then to a Polished Pink card base.

I love this technique, especially with the leafing, don’t you? Give it a try; it’s super easy and so much fun.

Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy. Have a lovely day!

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