Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Power of the Cuttlebug and Color


 You may have heard that I am a major fan of my Cuttlebug, that cute little machine that does my die cutting and embossing.  Well, I have been at it again, and I came up with two cards.  Here's the first-






This was done with a Cuttlebug folder on black paper.  After impressing the design, I pulled out a white chalk ink pad, and did a direct to paper application, pressing lightly so I would get most of the ink on the cogs alone.  As you can see, some of the ink did indeed get on the background, but it sort of gives it a distressed sort of look.  I then did a very pale blue chalk ink around the edges, just for some depth.

The little telescope pop-up of the sky and sentiment (GinaK Designs stamp) was done by sponging yellow and pink dyes onto sky paper (DKWV paper) and then cut and embossed with, you guessed it, the cuttlebug.  It popped it up with some pop-dots for emphasis.  Seems I can't make a card without them these days.

I then dug out my growing collection of brads and pulled out an assortment.  I placed them in strategic centers of many of the cogs, and then I put the whole thing onto a white card base. 

I really like the strength of this card, and I think there is a terrific implied theme and message.  I think I will hold onto this one and think about submitting it for publication at some point.

But WAIT!  There's more.  Digging about in my scraps folders, of which there are MANY, I came across a piece of white paper that I had used to test out the very same embossing folder that I used in the above project.  Hmmm, I thought.  Hmmm.  I pulled out some ink pads and got to playing around.  Some soft pinks and white later, I had this one going.
This one's pretty too, right?  The telescope piece is smaller here, and the brads are perkier and shinier.  I get a much softer mindset here, too.  Not so labor-centric, but maybe more "busy Mum needs a spa day" feeling, maybe.  Not so much has changed, but you definitely get a different feel with a totally different color group. 

I also wanted to share one more card I made with that FAB gift from my buddy AJ.  This was made with the GinaK Designs set, Wishes, and some GinaK Designs DP (that's Designer Paper).

The images and sentiments are all embossed with embossing powder and my heat tool.  I used Versamark ink and stamped everything onto the DP and the background at the same time, and then took the DP away and did all of the white Embossing on it, and the black embossing on the white paper.
I moved pretty quickly, so the ink wouldn't dry.  It was NOT a panic or anything, because Versamark stays sticky for a fair amount of time, and I did do the flowers before I stamped any of the sentiment. 

I adhered the DP to the card base, carefully lining up my letters, and then I dry embossed the border design with my scor-buddy and bone folder.

If you look really carefully, you'll see the "g" in wishing did not work perfectly, and I could've lined up the papers a bit better.  Also, even though I used my thingy that supposed to eliminate grease and static before I embossed, I still have some loose flecks of embossing powder.  I really need to figure that one out.  Practice, practice!!   I also thought that maybe "joy & laughter" might better be expressed in something other than black and white, too. 
All in all, for a first attempt with this technique, I am pretty happy.  Thanks again to AJ for gifting me this set!

That's all from me for now.  Thanks for stopping by!!
All best-
Richard

13 comments:

  1. All three of these are fabulous cards! Loving those gears! I don't have a Cuttlebug. I have my Cricut for cutting, so not sure I really need both tools...always a debate in my spiky little head.

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  2. You know I love that "steampunk" card already, but the pink hues card is fantastic! I can't get over that Phillips head brad...awesome.
    The B & W is amazing as well. I find that's one of the hardest techniques to do and you've nailed it! The anti-static pad aka "thingy" LOL...has always been my nemesis.
    Fabulous cards Richard...always inspiring! :)
    P.S. thanks also for the comments on my blog.

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  3. Ummm,
    P.S.

    http://jffchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/06/steampunk.html
    I really think you should :)

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  4. Hi Richard am a new visitor to your blog and just love what I have seen. Love your cards with the gears very stylish indeed and as for the black and white flowers stunning !

    Marie

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  5. Great use of an old favourite folder the cogs! Love that you used white and not silver on the raised areas it does indeed add to the distressed look. Thank you for sharing your cards with us at Just for Fun hope we see you again XOXO Zoe

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  6. Well Richard, first of all a big welcome to JFF Challenges, hope you come back to us with more entries as time goes by.
    Love my Cuttlebug too (demonstrate its use at shows in the UK so am a big big fan)and that is one of my favourite folders you have used. Love how you used the white over the black - great!
    Thanks for joining us at JFF and hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Neet x

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  7. I love that folder too :) and used it on mine :) the white over the black works for me as does the softer colours :)
    Thank you for joining us at just for fun and hope to see you again
    Von x

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  8. Hi Richard. Super cards. Love the way you have used black and white for the writing on the third card. Great idea. Looking forward to seeing more of your creations.
    All the best Florence.

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  9. Hi Richard, thanks for playing along with JFF this week with your fab cog cards. I think it's great how you get such a different effect just by using different colours!!!

    PS Great embossing too!!

    Sam xxx

    http://sam21ski.blogspot.com/

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  10. Great Cards Richard , thats a great embossing folder, I too love my cuttlebug Id be lost without it

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  11. the split negative turned out really cool on the greeting, I like!

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  12. Fab designs and love the CB folder. You showcased it beautifully!!

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  13. Wow, the black and white card is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

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