Saturday, April 25, 2015

Embossing Diffusers

Have you heard of Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Embossing Diffusers?  If you haven't, this is a product you will definitely want to look for!  Embossing Diffusers are featured in this 27th Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge, so get out Tim's book by the same name and play along! Still don't have the book?  You may still purchase your autographed copy here.  If you don't have the embossing diffusers,  head on over to The Inspiration Emporium and order one!  The Inspiration Emporium is also the sponsor of this week's challenge and is providing a $50.00 shopping spree to one lucky randomly chosen winner!

Tim and Mario have another amazing prize package waiting for the winner of the Curiosity Crew's Choice.  I have noticed that several people have just bought the book and are playing along now!  Goes to show you it's never too late!  You will find this challenge on Page 61 of the book.

Without further ado, here is the project I created with the Embossing Diffuser:


I lOVE this butterfly image from Tim's Stampers Anonymous Perspective set!   Many people have already featured it in their artwork.  I have just been biding my time waiting for the perfect moment and I think this is it!

I started by using the paint marbling technique on manila card stock.  The paint colors are Cracked Pistachio and Pumice Stone.  I then filled in with Gathered Twigs Distress ink.


Before I began the embossing diffuser technique.  I also used the paint marbling technique on three more pieces of manila card stock for the butterfly.  So sorry I didn't get a picture of these pieces!  I used Cracked Pistachio, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed and Dusty Concord Distress Paints.

I followed the technique on Page 61 using Tim's Sizzix Alterations small oval embossing diffuser found in Set 1 and his Sizzix Alterations Trellis embossing folder.  Using Tarnished Brass Distress Paint, I then lightly touched the paint to the raised parts of the embossed piece.  I love the contrast with the open area of the oval!  To finish it off, I found some gold fiber in my stash I adhered around  the oval to make it stand out even more!  It was easy as the shape was clearly defined on the card.  Finally I added three small flowers I die cut from a portion of the prepared marbled card stock using Tim's Alterations Tattered Floral Garland die and some ivy from the Spring Greenery die.  For the flower stamens I put some matte medium  in the center of the flowers and sprinkled some coppery colored micro beads inside.


I stamped the butterfly three times on the marbled card stock and cut out all three.  I added a bit of slightly watered down Tarnished Brass Distress paint to the wings close to the edges and then adhered all three butterflies together using matte medium.  To finish the butterfly, I wanted it to connect "color-wize" with the metallic colors in the flower stamen, so I used the same micro beads for the butterfly's body.

Here are some close ups:




I am finding it quite interesting how the different lighting conditions affect the color of the project....

The last step was to adhere the completed butterfly to the card piece.  Once again here is the completed project:


As always, we REALLY enjoy seeing all the clever things you do with your artwork!  Head on over to Linda Ledbetter's site for all the details and make sure to follow the rules!  Most of all, have fun!

Susan

29 comments :

  1. I think the Perspectives butterfly is one of the most butterfly stamps ever! I love the embossed background you created for the butterfly to sit on, it looks like a screen door in those wonderful colours - and the sentiment is beautiful surrounded by the fibres and beautiful flowers. Anne x

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  2. Susan...oh my goodness! This card is elegance on steroids! I absolutely adore this card. Your embossed oval and that embossed background are lovely. I love the fibers and sweet little flowers you added around the oval. So sweet! Your butterfly is absolutely gorgeous! The dimension you have given to it with the triple layering and the microbeads looks fabulous. WOW factor here!!!

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  3. oh girly...this card is singing to me. I think you always achieve a subtle elegance in your work but this one is breathtaking!!! The colors...the texture fade you chose...and the stacked butterfly! OVER THE TOP GORGEOUS!!!! AH-MAZING!!!! I am in love...

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  4. I love everything about this card. The butterfly is so beautiful, and the oval with fibers, beads, and flowers is just fabulous.

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  5. Oh my goodness, Susan, this is so very beautiful! I can't get over how great the touch of trim around that embossed oval looks. Lovely! And that big beauty of a butterfly, you just can't go wrong with that stamp. And you colorized and layered it perfectly.

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  6. Oh so pretty , love the colors, the micro bead detail just beautiful ; the butterfly is awesome too !

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  7. What a gorgeous card, Susan. I just love how you layered three butterflies and the touches of metallic on the wings. But that diffused oval is STUNNING! The way you've embellished it with the fibers and flowers is fabulous. Well done, my friend!

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  8. Isn't this butterfly just FABULOUS? YES YES YES. The way you made the background on the butterfly to be various colors makes it look like he should be flying in a magical garden! Very lovely card. j.

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  9. Beautiful coloring all the way through. Don't ya just love those microbeads?! Neat!

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  10. You have definitely created an amazing backdrop for your gorgeous butterfly. Love your paint marbling and the touches of tarnished brass are perfect. Love the micro bead body on your butterfly too. Simply beautiful!

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  11. This absolutely stunning. I had no idea this butterfly existed - but now I want it! I don't know that I could do it justice as you did, though! You did such a lovely job, and I'm glad you used the tattered garden die, too; I just bought it online and it's on its way to me even as I type this! I love the inspiration; you always, always do amazing work.

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  12. Seriously stunning!! the layering is amazing!!

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  13. Susan, the sentiment could not be more appropriate than this. There is beauty in simplicity and your card confirms this. Simply stunning.

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  14. Wow Susan, I love this card for so many reasons. It is exquisite!!!

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  15. WOW!!! You had me at those mini beads...LOVE that! This butterfly is absolutely gorgeous!!! Fabulous make!

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  16. That thread is perfect... And as others have said, I NEED that butterfly stamp!

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  17. This card is amazing Susan. The sentiment says it all - although I would say it is more elegant than simple.

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  18. OK--I know this creation is all about the embossing diffusers, but I LOVE your layered butterfly, Susan!! :) :) This card is amazing!! I love everything about it!! XOXO-Shari

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  19. Your card is just stunning! I love the layered butterfly;great effect! And the beads where a great addition...just beautiful!

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  20. Love your card! Your layered butterfly if beautiful as well as all the colors you selected. I like how you have decorated the little diffuser part...

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  21. LOVE LOVE LOVE this card! Of course, I am a huge fan of Tim's butterfly, and you have just done incredible things with it! But I really like the way you used the diffuser with this Texture Fade. What an inspiring piece of art you have shared with us!

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  22. Such an elegant card, the trellis was just made for butterflies. I think this is stunning

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  23. Stunning!! LOVE this background and the butterfly is blossoming with beauty. LOVELY!!

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  24. This is so beautiful! I love how the paint marbling colored the page. I also love how you made such a great frame from the diffuser. The fiber and flowers are eye catching!

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  25. Oh.. Susan!! I adore your project ..the colours are stunning!!.. love what you have done with the diffuser...Awesome design...a fabulous arty creation!! x

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  26. oh I just love the colors and the layering!

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  27. Susan, i love how you made butterfly layers, great addition to a wonderful background

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  28. What would seem to be a lot of difficult techniques is broken down easily in your photos, and I LOVE how BEAUTIFUL you've madebit all look on this one project!!! The butterfly is stunning!! :D

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  29. Susan, your card is lovely. I am looking forward to trying that diffuser from set #1. Your butterfly is beautiful...ready to take flight and I love how you used the fibers and flowers around the sentiment.

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