Jo's Crafty Place: July 2020

Shimmering Steampunk Butterfly

This card is made using Couture Creations "Cut and Create" dies, and "Cut, Foil and Emboss" dies. These all work in the same way, and can be used to foil, using a hot foil platform such as the GoPress & Foil, or they can be inked and die cut, or just die cut and then gilding polishes, waxes or inks can be used to highlight the textured pattern on them.

I've used the Couture Creations Magnolia Frames Cut, Foil and Emboss die set to foil the centre frame and flower - I've used some dark purple pearl card and Muted Pink foil. I've used an oval nesting die to cut the middle out of the frame.

For the background and the Steampunk Butterfly I've used some craft mica powders to create a shimmering watercolour background and done the same on the card the card the butterfly is made from. I've used some plain, white 300gsm card for this - I just squiggle areas of colour onto the card using a water brush - see my video. The gold foil contrasts against the colours and the texture of the mica powders to highlight the beautiful design.

I added a sentiment using the Couture Creations Exquisite Sentiments cut, foil and emboss die set, but you could also stamp a sentiment.

In my video I show you the technique I used to create the shimmering watercolour card, and how to foil the butterfly.

Video link: https://youtu.be/Ek_hJGrqsqI

Couture Creations Products Used:

CO727724 - Cut & Create Die - Steampunk Dreams - Steampunk Butterfly
CO726759 - Cut, Foil and Emboss Decorative Nesting die - Esthetica - Magnolia Frames
CO726372 - Cut, Foil and Emboss die - Cardmaker Essentials - Exquisite Sentiments
CO725385 - Foil - Heat Activated - Gold (Mirror Finish)
CO726076 - Foil - Heat Activated - Muted Pink (Mirror Finish)

My Secret Love - Vellum Overlay Card

For this card I've used one of the 12x12 papers from Couture Creations My Secret Love collection. The paper hase the oval panel on one side and the bold floral pattern on the other. I've layered 2 pieces of this paper onto an A5 card blank

I used the Inset Oval Frames cut, foil and emboss die set to create a foiled vellum overlay. To protect the vellum from being overstretched when foiling, add a piece of card on top of it - the cut/foil die will cut through the vellum into this (see my video) The Vellum is stuck down with double sided tape in the centre of the oval - put the tape where it will be hidden by the oval topper and label that are added on top of the vellum.

For the next layer I've used the inner die from the Nesting Chandelier Frames cut, foil and emboss die set, foiled on some more of the patterned paper. Like the vellum, the paper is thin, so I add a layer of card when foiling it. After foiling I stick the foiled paper to the card so that it is stiff enough to raise on foam pads. I've used the Flourished Corner die to create a crest at the top of the oval topper.