Tyra Smith, Cloud 9, Tips & Techniques

Embossed Layering Foils

Gayle Page-Robak page@mb.sympatico.ca
SUGGESTIONS FOR USING EMBOSSED LAYERING FOILS

Tip 1 If you want to show off your embossed layering foil without covering it with your image, or layering with it, you can take a strip of cardstock, cut your foil a bit larger and then `cover' the cardstock with the foil. Bring the raw edges of the foil to the underside, tape down, and then you can mount this piece on your card with double faced tape (you can cut the cs in any size or shape you want, really). Then stamp an image on the actual base card or add an already cut out image, and complete the card with any embellishments you feel you would like. You can also do smaller ones so they appear like little tiles, singular or in groups. Tip 2 Tear off a smaller piece maybe 2" x 2" , tuck the edges under a wee bit, then put your fingers in the middle and pull it together to scrunch it...that is nice for collages, and enhancements to your layering. Tip 3 I also like to put a piece of magic mesh on my card, apply a light film of either spray adhesive, or Aleene's Tacky glue on the surface of the mesh, or you could also use a bit of YES glue. Then tear a piece of foil larger than the mesh and lay your torn piece of foil over the top and then press it down with your fingers...it will form the shape of the mesh squares and looks really great. (If you don't have magic mesh you can buy the drywall tape that looks like mesh-it has adhesive on the back, but many online vendors sell the Magic Mesh.) If you are wondering how to apply your spray adhesive, just take a piece of typing paper, cut out the center to the size of the area you are wanting to spray, and then place the paper over the artwork (like a mask) to keep the rest of the card clean and free from the spray. Tip 4 Use the foil like it is and wipe "A Little Bag" over to prevent EP cling, stamp an image on the foil with pigment ink, apply embossing powder, tap off excess, and heat emboss. The foil looks beautiful this way and you can even put glycerin around the edge of the foil, apply EP and heat emboss. Tip 5 Use Metallic Rub Ons on your foils, or on the edges of the foils (torn or cut) to give a wonderful antiqued or old world tapestry look. You can create different effects on the crumpled foils this way, as well.