Today is Mother's Day in the United States. Yesterday Hazel spent the morning making her gifts for her grandmothers and one for me. I bought some canvas bags and she was able to paint them for each person. She also jumped at every chance to make a card for me. She did one at Paper Source, our public library, and Lakeshore Learning. She also made her ice cream cone about me at school and a few cards and a book on her own!
So we had a lovely day. My morning started with a Hazel made breakfast in bed. So many of the Mother's Day gifts can be used for end of the year teacher gifts as well. There are some great features below that can be used that way. I hope all of you celebrating had a wonderful Mother's Day!!
Tonight I decided to do my long promised tutorial for heat embossing. I had been getting the craft urge and wanted to make the cards I have been planning since Christmas time. For this tutorial you need a rubber stamp, ink pad (not the chalk type since it dries so quickly), embossing powder, a heat tool and of course paper or card. If I am using a colored embossing powder I often use a clear ink pad (Versamark brand) because it stays wetter longer however if there is an ink color you love you can always use a clear or a holographic embossing powder. The first step is to use the rubber stamp and ink and stamp onto the card. I used black ink so you could see it in the pictures.
Once it is stamped you pour the embossing powder on the wet ink. I always use a No Spill Tray Mate (which is heaven sent with a girl who loves glitter). I use to emboss many years ago and found I wasted embossing powder often and now with this tray I can pour the powder back in to the container. I love it!!
Once the ink is covered pour off the excess and return it to the container. Make sure to tap the card over the tray to get all the little excess off. It will also rub off pretty easily if there is a spot that you didn't want.
Once the excess is off it is time to use your heat tool. You need a heat tool for this process. It looks a lot like a hair dryer, but a hair dryer does not get as hot or as concentrated. It will not work. Hold the heat tool about an inch or two above the card and move it slowly around the picture. The powder will melt, but it can also burn if kept on too long. (Please note if you are using a heat tool for the first time it often has a bit of a burning smell at the beginning.)
You can see the difference between the melted powder (right side), and the powder that has not melted (left side) in this card below.
Heat embossing gives the stamping a raised effect and you can add glitter from some embossing powders. After embossing you can embellish in other ways. On some cards I used liquid pearls and on one I colored it in with gel pens. You can also use watercolors since the picture is raised so the colors won't bleed.
For some cards I stamped flowers first and let them dry. Then I embossed the same stamp to give it texture and layers.
I also used some fine papers to line the envelopes. Now I have some great cards to use for notes or even for birthdays.
Thank you to everyone who shared with us at last week's party!! It was full of creations and inspiring ideas!! Below are some features from the party, but this is just a small sample of great ideas shared! Our features are in three categories: Mother's Day, outside crafts and others.
Also remember for your child-oriented crafts, activities, lessons, etc. Sharing Saturday is going on!! For any cultural related posts (diversity and/or multicultural as well) be sure to share at the month long Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop.
Features
1) From The Scrap Shoppe: Mother's Day Photo Cube
2) From Bombshell Bling: Free Mother's Day Printable
3) From Living La Vida Holoka: DIY Mother's Day Stamped Initial Charm Bracelet
4) From Oh My! Creative: Potted Herb DIY Gifts with Printable Tags
1) From The Summery Umbrella: DIY Rustic Birdbath
2) From Growing Up Gabel: How to Make a Citronella Candle with Eucalyptus
3) From Sparkle: Springtime Paper Rose Garland
4) From Wesens-Art: Old Berry Basket => New Flower Basket
1) From Simply {Darr}ling: Personalized Disney Water Bottles
2) From Summer Scraps: Storm Trooper T-Shirt
3) From Joy's Jots, Shots and What Nots: Flat Out Bowl Holders
4) From Busy Being Jennifer: Book Page Wall Art
Thank you to everyone who shared the last week!! I hope you will share again!! If you are featured here, please feel free to grab a featured button to display proudly on your blog. I would love the help spreading the word about Crafty Weekends!!
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Please share family friendly crafts here. Just crafts and/or patterns--no recipes, lessons, etc. You can share craft product reviews as well. By linking up here you are giving me permission to share your links and to pin your links. Please follow my Crafty Weekends Feature Pinterest Board to see all the features from these fun link parties!
