Wednesday, May 30, 2012



Last Week's Potato Print Challenge

Some of You Gave It a Try.....

....and are kind of mad at ggd  : (
Here's a note from a long time ggd friend:
Tried, and made....a mess! 

Remember...one day's mess is another's inspiration!

Sometime later on, you'll be working on a project and this idea will come to mind. It will be the perfect solution.

So, don't be discouraged.   But a little patience would help  : )

Tim Holtz (quoted in Cloth, Paper, Scissors) says: Look around. . . experiment and . . . PLAY!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 



If any of you do try "stepping back" to "primitive" printing methods, we'd love to see your results.


Send them in any time. Who knows, your contribution may come at just the right time to help someone out of a "stuck" place.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Gradually a "Format" for This Blog . . .

is emerging.....

It's pretty clear that one week is not long enough to explore a technique or new approach....so.......


Starting in June.....


We will investigate a technique, product or theme for a month.
That will give you more time to make samples if you are so inclined. If you try some of the ideas presented (by ggd or anyone who has experience or ideas to share) and have questions, it will give time to find answers/solutions. 


Everyone who submits a sample with directions will receive a stamp image from ggd. (Be sure to include your mailing information with your project.)


We will also have a drawing from the "Comments" to award a small grab bag of gg designs images. 

The subject for June's investigation will be embossing. 


Send your ideas and samples and starting next Wednesday, we will explore this interesting design element.

As always we are especially interested in DIY embossing versions but of course any technique will give us all ideas to apply to our own projects.

At the end of the month, we will compile the information gathered here into a section of its own, showing samples submitted. We will compile the information and samples to make a "Tutorial" with links so you can use it at any time you are working on a project and would like to include embossing but need to refresh your memory.
 
Comment and Question from Fab:
I recall doing potato prints a long while ago. To avoid some of the mess, leave the cut surface on a paper towel for 20-30 minutes to remove some of the potato moisture. I bet that is what caused the mess. You can cut a large 'tater in 3-5 chunks and dry them at the same time.
 Are you talking about dry embossing with a light box, machine embossing, or heat embossing?

All of the above, except for the heat embossing. That's a pretty common technique that most stampers use well. If this is not true for some of you, write and let us know and we'll ask one of our expert viewers to share their "how-to."

We are looking for unique applications...preferably DIY and "home made" materials and techniques so that everyone can try them even without owning a special cutter/embosser. BUT, if you use any of the great machines available, feel free to share your projects and experiences with them as well.

 

Meanwhile.....check here: Classes and Samples  (or link in side bar) to see some of the classes and techniques ggd customers have been exploring over time. 

Below is a sampling of some of the projects ggd customers have generously shared. 


Sketch Challenges and Throw Down Links and Tutorials:
(These are great pages to visit when you need an idea
and you are running on empty!)

•  Heather Presents The First Sketch Challenge
•  Jeanette Waters' Sketch Challenge
•  Valentine Challenges
•  Bonus Challenges
•  Mother's Day Cards

•  Male Mail & Father's Day Cards
•  July Slice n' Dice Samples
•  Wood Veneer Challenge Results
•  Ida's Watercolor Challenge
•  Arlene Faber's December 09 Sketch
•  Deb Lovett's Spray Starch Background Technique
•  Spray Starch ATC's
•  Decorated Envelope
•  Deb Lovett'sPlastic Wrap Technique
•  From Your Kitchen Cabinet
•  Yogi's Gesso/Tissue Paper Technique


Enjoy these at your leisure but in the meantime, be thinking about embossing and share your techniques and results. (Note: After placing the links above, we decided that they are so handy we are now including them in the side bar, so they will be readily available for your use.)

See you next week.

gg designs
Charlotte 






6 comments:

  1. well, I didn't try it and I still made a mess last month, lol. I do have great intentions and will give it a try but it could take a while. Maybe I can pull out the ep this month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. : ) We take samples whenever we can get them. Timing is ALWAYS right to share our efforts....let everyone see the results.
      It sometimes is just what's needed to get us going!
      ggd/C.

      Delete
  2. I recall doing potato prints a long while ago. To avoid some of the mess, leave the cut surface on a paper towel for 20-30 minutes to remove some of the potato moisture. I bet that is what caused the mess. You can cut a large 'tater in 3-5 chunks and dry them at the same time.

    Question for the blog owner??? Are you talking about dry embossing with a light box, machine embossing, or heat embossing?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Are you talking about dry embossing with a light box, machine embossing, or heat embossing?

    All of the above....of course. Making choices is not ggd's strong suite!

    ggd/C

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have seen some neat embossin done on a fiskars paper cutter using the scoring blade only. As an alternative, if you have no scoring blade, use the edge of a bone folder.

    Lay the cardstock face down so the line you want is directly on top of the cutting grove, use the scoring blade or bone folder edge or small round embossing tool to run right down that grove. On the top side you will have a nice raised line. Do it on all four edges and you have a frame. You can move the card 1/8 to 1/4 inch and make a second (Or more) lines for a pattern.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great Idea!

      Making a "frame" this way allows using a small stamp without needing to do multiple layers. Sometimes the "just right" color isn't immediately available.

      ggd Plan: To make card size "templates" on vellum to have handy for the card size most frequently used.

      Also like that it doesn't require a light table. ggd has had one....for many years...but more often than not it is laden with other projects and supplies and hard to get to : )

      Delete

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