masculine valentine - pearl glaze technique

If you are like me, I have to be in the mood to make cards for the opposite sex.  I opted to create a Valentine for my sweetie by creating a shimmery paint and using Tim Holtz images.

I learned this technique at Ranger U and Tim referred to it as Pearl Glaze.

 

I used a very, very small amount of Adirondack Dabber paints.  You can use any color (or colors) for this technique, but the Adirondack Pearl is required.  My color of choice for this project is Red Pepper.  I cut a small piece of Cut-N-Dry foam as well, and am working on a non-stick craft sheet.

OK this next step is similar to mixing the batter for pancakes - you don't want to mix it completely, just barely incorporate the colors.  Your best bet is to swipe the Cut-N-Dry foam into the paints then go at the cardstock.

Go ahead and swipe the paints onto a piece of white cardstock until covered.

This is the cardstock covered - and this is DRY.  It has an incredible shimmer to it thanks to the Adirondack Pearl paint.

Once dry begin stamping images at random.  I chose a few of Tim's French Marketplace images, and I am using Ranger's Archival Ink in Jet Black.

Using a few other images from this set, I created a custom piece of patterned paper using white cardstock and the same Archival Ink, stamping images at random.

Using direct-to-paper technique (hold the ink pad in your hand and repeatedly swipe directly to the cardstock) I first used Distress Antique Linen ink...

...followed by Distress Scattered Straw.  Scattered Straw ink is useful anytime you need to 'warm up' the colors in a project.

I tore a few strips from this sheet and inked with Distress Walnut Stain using an ink applicator tool.  One is for the outside of the card and one is for the card interior.

Punched a circle from the custom patterned paper, distressed the edges and inked edges as well.  This was adhered with a pop-dot to the card front.

Finished card.  The balance of the patterned paper was used as the focal point, matted with black cardstock.  I added some Tim Word Sticks, Numerals, and Type Charms.  The 'love' from the Word Sticks was filled in using my finger and a bit of Adirondack Red Pepper ink, allow to dry for about twenty seconds then swipe the charm with a clean, dry cloth. 

This is a fun technique for a 'controlled mess'.

Comments

[Broni]

Wow, this is just gorgeous, Cindy! Thanks for the step-by-step instructions!

[Joy Kennedy]

WOW! WOW! WOW!!!!! This is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! I love it Cindy!

[bevie pearl]

Wow Cindy, what a fabulous project.

[Nola Taylor]

This is really great ! mmm' controlled mess, is that what I have. Sounds good to me

[Debby Moreau]

I really really really like this. I guess I mentioned that I really like it eh?

[mamajulie]

Been away for a while and just got to this--WOW!! Love the great detail in the explanation. I plan to try this and again--WOW!!

[Valerie]

Cindy, this fabulous!

[Elena]

Cindy, it's a great tutorial!! Thank you!!!

[Jessica]

beautiful! I love the direct to paper technique to stain the paper. I've seen the T.Holtz distress inks & wondered how you could use them. Thanks for sharing!