EMBOSSED LAYERED BRAYERING

As Stampin' Up! demonstrators, we are so lucky to receive a quarterly magazine called Stampin' Success. Every time one of these little gems arrives in my mailbox, I thoroughly peruse it, flagging any projects I'd like to try sometime in the future. I then set them aside until the right time comes.

Recently, I dug out one from December, 2007, that had a little Post It flag in it. Every once in awhile, I come across something that, after a certain period of time, has become a bit outdated. When an idea is from 2007 -- almost 12 years ago! -- the chance of this is greater. 

I was delighted, however, to discover this was a technique that really could be considered timeless. Stampin' Up!'s title for the article about this technique was entitled "Layer With a Brayer". Cute. Makes you want to read on further, right?

My result -- which actually took three tries! -- is shown in the following photo. I am so pleased with this one that I think I am going to frame it as an inspirational piece.

Are you interested in learning how to create a stunning piece using this technique? Here you go:

For this technique, bold, more solid images, such as this large leaf, work best. In the Stampin' Up! sample, snowflakes and stars were used.

Stamp your image randomly across a piece of Glossy White Cardstock with VersaMark ink. I suppose you could overlap some, but I chose not to overlap at all. Once your images are all stamped, cover the stamping with clear embossing powder. Use the Heat Tool to emboss the images. I am always extra careful when working with Glossy Cardstock. Keep the Heat Tool moving. 

Ink a brayer with a lighter color of ink. Look at my image and notice the lighter green circles that appear. The color of the circles is the ink I used for my light layer. Use the brayer with this ink and ink, ink, ink over the embossed images until the piece is well covered with this color. 

I will keep using my sample in my instructions. 

I punched circles from Post It Notes in a couple different sizes, making sure that the sticky part of the note is part of the shape because it needs to stick to the brayered cardstock. Randomly place these circles in various places of the Glossy Cardstock. Be sure it's a pleasing placement of the circles. 

Keeping the sticky circles in place, ink up the brayer in a darker ink and ink, ink, ink the piece until it is evenly inked with this darker ink. Remember, you are inking right over the sticky circles.

Now for the MAGIC! Carefully peel off the sticky circles. Use a soft tissue to wipe off any excess ink from the embossed images. You end up with lighter circles amongst your images.

Mine isn't perfect. But I truly love the final result! Have fun with this technique! Seriously, give it a try. You won't regret it. 

As I said earlier in my post, this was my third try in doing the technique. The best advice that I can give you after all my experience is to make sure you are really really particular about getting a terrific stamped image in the VersaMark ink. If you don't have good ink coverage for the embossing step, the "solid" images won't be solid enough to be pleasing. 

Just trying to save you a few tries and lots of elbow grease. Have fun!

Brayered

Smiles.