2016: A Year in Review - Easy Cardmaking Techniques to Try Out!

Foil Stamping: 3 ways

This year I tried out the trendy look of foil on cards in as many ways possible. Here are 2 different techniques I used to stamp with foil:

Foil Stamping using Rubber Stamps

Foiling without expensive tools, using traditional rubber stamps is possible. This technique requires a bit of time and patience and won't give you perfect, even foiling as when using a laminator, but the result is equally stunning!

Foil Stamping using Digital Stamps

Though some still haven't jumped into the world of digital stamping, "digis" have proven to be so versatile over and over again. Use a laser printer and a laminator for a quick foiled result (here) or use a regular ink jet printer, embossing powder and a heat gun (here).

Foil Stamping using clear stamps

Though you can use clear stamps to foil images just as you do with rubber stamps, this technique uses embossing powder and a laminator which makes the task even easier. 

Ombre Backgrounds

Embossed Ombre Background

Use the inks on your stash to create a fresh, colorful background and even add some texture to it with some embossing. All you need is inks, sponge daubers and an embossing folder!

Gold Dipped Ombre Stenciling

Gold dipping has been trendy for a while now and you sure can translate that cool look to your cards too! This technique gives your usual stenciling a twist to achieve a modern, colorful ombre look with a metallic touch!

Heat Embossing Digital Stamps 

Heat embossing has been usually used only with traditional stamps, but it is possible to do it with digital images too! The trick? Using a regular laser printer on glossy papers that allow the ink to dry slower (watch video here).

More inspiration here.

 

Distressed Foiling

Another fun, unconventional way to use foil is adding distressed touches to patterned paper or even regular solid colored cardstock. There are many ways and many distressed effects you can achieve depending on the application you use (meaning type of glue and tool used to apply), but this is certainly a super easy way that doesn't necessarily requires a laminator (you can skip that step) and will give you a striking unique effect every time (here).

Foil Resist Watercoloring 

Stamp foiling can be taken to another level using this technique. Watercolors give you a beautiful result every time... Now imagine it paired with foil! Just a few splashes of ink sprays or other water reactive mediums will help you get this effect (here and here).

Foiling Transparencies 

Another fun way of using foil is on transparencies. I've tried it out on acetate and heavyweight vellum, both with the help of a laser printer. Vellum can be foiled without a laminator using the technique shown before (here), but make sure to check out how I created these two cards to create custom foiled elements (here) and foiled vellum backgrounds with digital patterned papers (here).

I was drawn to try out different tools and mediums this year... I hope you feel inspired to let your creative curiosity and imagination run wild the upcoming year just as I plan too! I look forward to continuing to play with my stash and explore my craft even more!

As a thank you for being part of my journey on the blog this year, I prepared a couple of freebies you might like to grab! Find links to download on my previous post (here).

Also, I invite you to my Blog Anniversary celebration! The big giveaway party goes up on January 1st. See you there!