Oh how it shines: glam up your art using shimmering foil

Expression, Nov-Dec, 2005 by Glenda Bailey

"Oh look, it's something bright and shiny!" We've all stopped to admire that shiny thing in the corner of our eye. We do it while we shop, walk, and even drive ("Yes, officer, I was watching the road"). There's just something special about things that have shine. They look more expensive, more unusual, more exciting! Glam up your art by using this oldie-but-goodie technique. Using foil and transparencies is not only fun and easy but also addicting. Don't say we didn't warn you!

INSTRUCTIONS

Basic Technique You can "print" your image by either stamping onto a piece of transparency film using StazOn ink or by printing a digital image using your computer and a printer. Just remember one rule: ink-jet transparency film is for ink-jet printers and laser-jet film is for laser printers: 1. Once the stamped image is on the transparency, cut around the image area, leaving about an inch around all sides. 2. Run the image through the Xyron machine--applying the adhesive to the back of the image--and peel off the backing to expose the sticky side. 3. Adhere the leafing flakes to the sticky side. Turn the image over in order to see the colors from the front side, especially if you want certain colors of the leafing to be in specific areas. 4. Trim the image and use a soft brush to brush away excess leafing. 5. Run the image back through the Xyron.

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Sun/Moon/Stars Journal 1. Prepare the image according to the "Basic Technique." 2. Attach the image to the piece of black card stock, then decorative paper, then another layer of black card stock; 3. Adhere finished layers, onto a purchased journal.

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Ornament Card 1. Prepare the image according to the "Basic Technique." Attach ornament image to a piece of black glossy card stock. Optional: If desired, round corners of layers using a punch. 2. Stamp and emboss a piece of gold card stock across the bottom and the top with the border stamp. 3. Adhere the black ornament layer to the stamped gold layer, then to another black glossy layer. 4. Adhere layers to a card.

Flower Card 1. Prepare the image according to the "Basic Technique" and cut out. 2. Fold a piece of gold card stock in half. Open and cut off a 1/2-inch strip from the front edge of the card. (The front of the card will be shorter than the inside, creating a step effect). 3. Stamp and emboss the 1/2-inch strip with black embossing powder. Adhere the strip to the exposed area on the inside of the card. 4. Stamp and emboss the same texture stamp onto a piece of black card stock with gold embossing powder. Adhere to front of card. 5. Glue the flower piece on top of the black, embossed layer.

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RELATED ARTICLE: MATERIALS

BASIC MATERIALS:

LEAFING FLAKES IN DIFFERENT COLORS

TRANSPARENCY FILM

XYRON WITH ADHESIVE CARTRIDGE

FOR SUN/MOON JOURNAL:

STORE-BOUGHT JOURNAL

DECORATIVE PAPER

CARD STOCK -- BLACK

STAZON INK PAD -- BLACK

STAMP -- SUN/MOON/STARS; ES1-106-E (POSTMODERN)

FOR ORNAMENT CARD:

CARD STOCK -- GOLD

GLOSSY CARD STOCK -- BLACK

EMBOSSING POWDER -- GOLD

CLEAR EMBOSSING PAD

CORNER ROUND PUNCH (OPTIONAL)

STAMP -- ORNAMENT & BORDER (MAGENTA)

FOR FLOWER CARD:

CARD STOCK -- GOLD AND BLACK

DIGITAL IMAGE -- FLOWER

EMBOSSING POWDER -- GOLD, BLACK

CLEAR EMBOSSING PAD

PRINTER

BACKGROUND STAMP FOR TEXTURE (SOURCE UNKNOWN)

RELATED ARTICLE: Taking It A Step Further

If you're looking to try something new, grab some chalk and markers and get ready to add some more dimension to your life with this masking technique. For this technique, stamp your image onto a piece of transparency that has a smooth and a rough side.

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Color Detailing Stamp an image onto the smooth side of the transparency using StazOn ink. Turn over and color on the rough side of the transparency with colored markers. Color randomly for highlights and detail. Hint: Coloring on the rough side will allow the marker ink to dry. Set aside. (Photo 1)

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Masking Select an area that you would like to mask out. I chose to mask out the face. Stamp the same image onto a piece of white paper. Cut out the area you're masking out. Color with chalk as desired. (Photo 2) Set aside.

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Foiling Run the stamped and colored transparency through the Xyron. The adhesive should be on the rough side. Peel off backing and carefully place the chalk-colored piece onto the sticky side of the transparency. Lining up with the original image. Foil the rest of the area. (Photo 3)

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