Top Tip Tuesday – Make Your Own Seal Embellishments. Today’s Tip is actually a technique, rather than a true ‘Tip’. It is also something that I did a lot a very long time ago, and had forgotten all about it until I saw the Floral Romance Seals. The there are a few things to understand with this technique though, so let’s cover those first.

In order for this technique to work at its best, you need to start with a firm base; the grey card that comes with some of our foils and DSP is perfect for this. The next thing you need to understand is that you are going to need something to cut this thick board with, you could use a metal ruler and a craft knife if you have a steady hand! I used a heavy duty guillotine to simple cut small rectangles for my examples. You will also need a heat proof surface, I used my ‘trusty cheeseboard’, but whatever you use be aware it will get hot. Please only use Red Rubber Stamps for this technique, photopolymer stamps may be damaged if you sue them. Pick a stamp without too much fine detail.

So, how to actually do this technique. Simply cover your base piece with Versamark ink, sprinkle with embossing powder and heat with your heat tool. You will need to repeat this process until the embossing powder is very smooth and, when heated, is liquid. HAVE YOUR STAMP INKED AND READY! You will need to stamp into this molten embossing powder whilst it is still liquid. Keep the stamp in place until the powder is solid again, then carefully remove the stamp. Voila, you have a pretty seal.

In the past I only saw these types of seal made using metallic embossing powders, but it will work with the colour embossing powders, just be aware that the powder may ‘split’. What do I mean by ‘split’? Coloured embossing powders often have quite a lot of white in them and this may become visible when you heat them too much. I actually like the effect, but you just need to be aware that it may happen.

I hope you enjoyed this technique but, please, be aware that the molten powder will become VERY hot, so this is not a technique to use with young children. Don’t be tempted to touch the molten powder, trust me when I say it is hot. OH, and if you don’t like the final result, just melt it down again and have another go!!!

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Nail Varnish Colours

Today’s Nail colours are Cheeky Bird and Gimme A Peck by Nails Inc