happy birthday to me... and UNTIY!

Hello my wonderful friends!


It's time for another Unity hop!
(and sale!)
This one is kinda, super awesome cuz we're having a party (again!!!)  Which is actually kinda super awesome because my birthday was this week!


I feel like I have been gone FOREVER! This month has been the month of computer problems. One night, out of the blue, my computer freezes. Then it crashes, big time. URGGG!!!

So my fabulously AMAZING dad spent days working on it. (he's my go to tech guy since he programs for a living..) Then, after salvaging what he could, he got it reformatted and going again...but it was problem after problem.... 

Let's just say, I am SUPER glad to be back up and running and spending time with you guys instead of wanting to hit my head against a wall... repeatedly!
YAY!

So, I have a confession to make...
I've been seeing so many talented people using FOIL in their designs lately. I've seen rolls of BEAUTIFUL colored foil in the stores. I've wanted to try it... but I was intimidated. 

I didn't want to have to buy ANOTHER machine...either a machine specific for foiling, or even a cheap hot laminator. I don't have room for another machine in my studio. I don't have a bunch of money to spend on a new machine... especially if I just want to get my feet wet with a technique to see if I like it. 

So I've always walked away from those pretty sparkling sheets of pure magic. 

Until now. 

I saw someone else (Jennifer McGuire, actually) show how to use embossing powder with the foil, and it got me thinking... Which got me experimenting... Which led to me happily being able to foil without buying a new machine. YAY!

(I will warn you though... While I haven't run into ANY problems foiling something thats been printed on a laser printer, using embossing powder like I'm going to show you is a little less  predictable.  Sometimes it comes out PERFECT, sometimes, not so much. You have to play around a little to get the feel for your iron and how much time is the perfectly right amount.)

Step 1: For the cleanest results, use an anti static powder. Simply rub it across your paper... This will prevent loose embossing powder from sticking where it doesn't belong.

Step 2: Stamp your image with embossing ink. I use VersaMark, but any embossing ink will work.
(the stamp is Strong and Beautiful)

Step 3: Using whatever embossing powder you choose, emboss your image. I used clear just because I didn't want it to show if the foil missed any spots. 

Step 4: Cut a piece of foil large enough to cover your image. Here I'm using Tonertex Foil (simply because I found a really old sample pack in my stash, and so it was easiest to experiment with... however there's multiple brands out there now)

Step 5: Here's where it takes some experimenting.... Instead of a laminating machine for heat, I use my iron. I found that turning the heat about half way was good. You need to keep the heat/pressure on the image long enough to remelt the embossing powder, but not so long that the powder soaks into the card stock. I like to put a sheet of parchment paper over the foil to help protect my iron, but I don't know if that is necessary or not. 

Step 6: This is another important thing I learned. If you remove the foil too soon after heating, it won't work, it will just pull off the still fluid embossing powder. Let it cool. Let the embossing powder harden. THEN carefully pull off the foil. 

TIP: You can also use adhesive sheets with foil... The foiled mat was made by cutting a piece of double sided adhesive to the size desired, then applying the foil to one side. Works beautifully! 


So, if you have been slightly intimidated to dabble in foiling because you don't want to invest in another machine, consider pulling out your iron!

Don't forget---
 Leave a comment on EACH blog in the hop (including the Unity blog) for your chance to win.  The winners will be announced Monday on the Unity blog.

Enjoy!




Comments

  1. Beautiful foil cards! Thanks for the tutorial! I'm gonna try it now too. I was scared to try it too. :)

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  2. thank you so much for showing how you used the embossing and foil! and what beautiful cards, too! :)

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  3. wow I love your butterfly card awesome card!

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  4. Your foil work is perfect! I too have been waiting to try it. I also like the layers card frames.

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  5. thanks for the tips on another way to foil. I didn't figure I would do it enough to invest in the machine. I've seen the gluing method but haven't tried it yet either. You've given me another trick. the card turned out beautiful. There is always trial and error with any technique.

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  6. I knew there must be a way to use foil sheets without investing in another item to get that look. Thank you so very much. I love the cards you've done this week, so sweet.

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  7. Thanks for sharing your beautiful cards and great technique.
    I loVe all the wonderful Unity stamps your used.
    Crafty hugs,
    Dawn
    DesignsbyDragonfly.blogspot

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  8. Awesome cards! You have me wanting to try out some foils too!

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  9. That turned out great. Loved your card and tutorial.

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  10. Beautiful cards Kassi. I enjoyed your tips as well.

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  11. Your foil tip is great!So are your cards! Thanks!

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  12. Beautiful! I was wondering how an iron would work with the foil! GREAT job ♥

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  13. Gorgeous butterflies,love your technique,it seems easy to follow and your card is so creative.Thanks

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  14. Love your cards. Thanks for the foiling tips.

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  15. This is really great tips, Thanks for the tutorial as I also facing the same problem like you. Really appreciate your sharing.BTW, I love your cards, the foil looks perfect on the card.

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  16. Love your cards and thanks for sharing the foiling technique. I think I will be willing to experiment some now.

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  17. Beautiful foiled flower, thanks for the info on the technique!

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  18. Hope you had a happy birthday. I like your sweet cards and thanks for the info on foiling.

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  19. So very pretty!! I saw JM's video on foiling also and
    want to try it. Thanks for your tips, though. I found
    some Thermoweb foil (only green!) on clearance at our Michaels and hope to try it soon :-)

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  20. Gorgeous cards! I love the floral background and pretty girl on the first card and the butterflies on the second. Thanks for sharing.

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  21. Great hop! lovely cards ladies!

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  22. All your cards are gorgeous!

    Hugs, Carmen L

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  23. Oohhh pretty foiling! Love the butterflies, too!

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  24. Happy birthday to you Kassi. Happy you're posting your pretty projects again. :)

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  25. Love the girl with the frog on her head. Love the foiled flowers. If I come across some foil I will give this a go. Hugz

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  26. Happy 7th Birthday! Great cards, love your stamps and colors. TFS.

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  27. LOVE the foil!!! Gorgeous!!!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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