Mom Gothic Arch - #6 Packing Tape Transfers

We're about 2/3rds of the way done!  Just a few more and our Gothic Arch pages will be ready for Mom...  I think we'll even make it in time for Moms Day in the UK (4-3-11)!!!

I have had requests for this technique in the past few months so I figured I'd incorporate it into our Arches....

Packing Tape Transfers

I know many of you already know how to do this but if you don't follow the steps carefully it can be frustrating.  I had you gather magazine images because for whatever reason magazine paper works best with this technique.  You can use other images but remember you will have more of a job removing the backing papers.

Supplies:

Packing Tape
Magazine Photos
Pattern Paper, Cardstock or Ephemera
Glue
Water

Instructions:

1. Cut and trim magazine photos.

2. Place each photo on a piece of clear packing tape. 

3. Burnish (rub) the back of the image with a bone folder, spoon, brayer, etc.  to ensure the image is completely stuck down to the packing tape.  If you have air bubbles those areas of the image will not transfer to the tape!

Since we're using multiple images I hung my burnished photos to my work table....

4. Place your image face down on your work space.  Spritz the back of the image with water...you want enough water to saturate the paper.  Let the water set a few seconds to soak in. 

Since we're working with several images for this project I like to wet multiple images at once so they really have a chance to soak up the water and soften the paper.

5. With your finger begin at a corner and start rolling the layers of paper from the packing tape.  You will immediately see the image which has been left behind on the packing tape.

6. Continue peeling away the paper until it has all been removed.  If your photo dries out or you didn't use enough water at the beginning you may need to add more.

7.  When all of the paper has been removed, pat the image dry to remove the excess water.  Set the image aside to dry completely.

and here is how my image looks with the paper removed.  You will notice there are areas that have less color than others... no worries...this is where I got a little agressive peeling away the paper.  I ended up taking a bit of the image as well which can happen.  I think it just adds character to the finial image.

and here are all of my images drying...

8. Trim each image cutting away the excess packing tape.

9. Glue each image down one by one to your cardstock/pattern paper/ephemera.  I am using some vintage sheet music for this example. 

10. Trace your Gothic Arch template onto the paper and cut.

11. Add your saying and embellish as desired!

Here is my finished Packing Tape Gothic Arch!

So there you go...

one more down...4 to go!

How are you coming on your books? 

Are you having fun?

I sure hope so :)