2014 Technique Calendar - January - Faux White Glue Embossing

2014 Technique Calendar 

January

Faux Embossing w/ White Glue

January's technique is a really fun inexpensive alternative to embossing. 

You simply replace white glue with embossing inks, powders, heat tool, heck, even stamps if you want with plain old white glue.

Supplies:
Tag
White Glue (whatever you have on hand)
Acrylic Paint (2-3 colors)
Calendar
Embellishments (if desired)

Instructions:
As far as glue goes you can use any white glue you have on hand.  I thought I had some Elmers left but I couldn't find it so I'm thinkin' I must have used the last of it up on a project before Christmas.  I had a bottle of Aleene's Tacky Glue which works just as well.  Really...the whole point is to use whatever you've got in your stash.

1. There are a couple ways you can go about your faux embossing.  You could if you choose stamp an image using clear embossing ink or a resist type ink.  This will leave an image for you to "trace" with your white glue.
or
You could simply free-hand desired images with the glue.  This is what I choose to do.  Since this is for January I wanted to make snowflakes (big surprise huh?...after all the snow I'm seeing snowflakes everywhere -LOL!!).

2. Now comes the hard part...let the glue dry completely.  O.k... I had to cheat a bit.  Mine isn't completely dry but it's been sitting for hours now and I needed to get this posted so let's pretend it's all dry ;)

3. Next you'll need 2-3 colors of acrylic paint.  I am using metallic silver, blue an white Distress Paints.   Cover the entire tag with your base coat of paint ~ silver in my case.

Here is my tag all painted & drying...

4. Once your initial layer of paint has dried, rub your second color of acrylic paint over the first using a sponge or paper towel...pay special attention to the cracks and crevices among your images. 

TIP: I usually use a light and dark paint for these two layers...here I used the light color (silver) with a darker blue over top.  You want the contrast between the two.

You don't want a solid layer of color...just mostly a dry brushed type appearance.



You can see in this photo how the darker paint really made the faux embossed images pop right off the tag.

5.  Optional - If desired you can add another dimension to the embossed images by rubbing a third color of paint on the images with your fingertip.



6. Finish off your tag as desired.  I have in the past used stamped images, collage images, die-cuts, flowers, etc. to embellish my calendar pages.  This year I decided to use a stamped person for each month.  I'm going to try for mostly vintage style people.  I *hope* I have enough for each month but it may be an opportunity to purchase a new stamp or two - LOL!!

And here's my finished January calendar tag...



(Stamp Credit: Deep Red Stamps Vintage Skating Girl)

a better view of the dimension achieved with the white glue...

Now it's your turn!