THE BIG KICK MEETS ARTEMBOSS METAL

Thought I'd share a couple of quick techniques and give you a sneak peek before I leave to do a sales training for one of the major craft distributors. We will be using AMACO's ArtEmboss Metal and WireForm Metal mesh. Metal is HOT for scrapbooking and paper crafts and comes in larger sheets for big projects or smaller card size sheets (called Keepsakes & Cards) for papercraft projects. By combining the metals and mesh's with the Big Kick (TM) die cut machine from Sizzix you have everything you need to create QUICK & trendy embellishments. If you are like me - always waiting till the last second, these projects are for you. You can literally make in 10 minutes or less.

• For an artistic flair - heat copper with heat gun to reveal random colors. BE CAREFUL COPPER WILL GET EXTREMELY HOT and burn ya! Then use a Metal Stamp Art Pad to stamp your favorite collage of images. These make great tags to embellish. Great for Altered Arts too!


• Texture can be added to metal thru the pasta machine. Place metal between a sandwich of craft foam and texture plates on a thin setting (#2 on AMACO machine).


• Texture can be distressed by lightly sanding off color or using 92% rubbing alcohol to remove portions of color


• Paint textured metal - allow to dry then sand to distress


• Use brass stencils to emboss or deboss metal
  
• Color metal with Jacquard Pinata alcohol based inks and a make up sponge.


• Paint Embossed areas with metallic paint such as Lumiere by Jacquard (works great when using a toothpick)


• Faux Enamel: Add Pearl Ex powders (also from Jacquard) to Fimo Liquid Gel then use a toothpick to paint in recessed areas of the stencil

Vintage Gift Card:
Embossed Box of Cards from Die Cuts with a View
Sizzix: Tag, Scallop, Curves (the large one
Amaco: Pre-Embossed Metal Accent sheets; Keepsakes & cards metal mesh, Fimo Gel, Silver Metal tape
Misc: small metal heart, fibers of choice, vintage photo, Chalk ink


Print the vintage photo on plain paper. Apply generous amount of Fimo Gel to top and heat set. Cut to size with sissors. Wrap outside with tape.


FRIENDS Card: Box of Cards from Die Cuts with a view


Sizzix: Flower Power
AMACO: Artemboss silver aluminum and sparkle mesh
Misc: paper of choice, brads, ThermOWeb zot dots





Tear bottom of card. Glue paper to back of card. Die cut one silver aluminum flower and two mesh flowers. Glue scrap of mesh behind silver flower to cover center. Add flower where desired with Zot Dots.





This card is similar to the above with the exception of using a Sizzix metal embossing stencil thru the Big Kick. Directions for using these stencils come with the big kick. Embellish with Flower die cuts or your favorite charms.

Once the metal was embossed, I slightly sanded the surface to reveal the silver underneath. This is a great technique for highlighting.

I'll chat with you again when I get back. In the meantime, dont forget to check out my website for tips and techniques in using Fimo polymer clay. Check out my Project of the Month Club CD Roms too- they're packed full of fun whimsical projects that have never been published!!!