Sunday, February 23, 2014

Pop it Ups Tag + a Tutorial!

Lately I've been trying to make more time for experimenting in my studio. This Pop it Ups tag is the result of a whole bunch of 'what ifs' - my favorite kind of project!

Experiment #1: I have been dying to try Wendy Vecchi's Archival ink technique. Even though I didn't have the reinkers, I thought it might work with the regular ink pads. While I was playing with it, I also decided to see what it would do on a manila tag (Experiment #2). While it's less flowy and watercolor-y, I think it is still a really great look. Success!

Next, Experiment #3: would it be possible to do an image transfer with Tim Holtz's new Found Relatives cards? As you can see, that is a definite 'yes'!

Experiment #4 was seeing how well the new Lots of Pops die from Karen Burniston would work on a pop-up tag. I've done a few in the past and I love the idea, but would this new die work? Oh....yes!! Which led to Experiment #5 - could I extend the length of the banner poles to make them taller? Another big yes!



Now, take a few minutes to watch the amazing Ms. Vecchi doing her thing. Since I don't have her reinkers yet (I just ordered them!), I just smooshed my ink pads onto my craft sheet and then added alcohol and silver ink. While I did try the technique on Ranger's Specialty Stamping paper, I also tried it on a few tags to see how it would look, and that's what I ended up using for this project.

Once your tag is done, it's time to try transferring one of the Found Relatives images onto it. This is pretty much how you'd do any image transfer, with just a few tweaks. Here's how I did it:

Begin by separating the top layer from the rest of the card. You can easily do this by bending one of the corners and fraying the edge until it separates. Tear around the image. An irregular edge helps the image to blend into the tag.

Apply a thin coat of Multi-Medium to the face of the image, covering the entire piece (I took my photo before the medium was completely spread out).

Place image face down onto your tag and smooth to adhere. I used a brayer to make sure it was completely bonded with the tag, plus it helped remove the excess glue. Let dry completely.

When the image is totally dry, dampen the paper backing with a water-filled mister. Using your fingers, begin rubbing away the paper to reveal the image. If the paper isn't coming off easily, wet a bit more. Continue rubbing until all the paper is removed.

Here is where it's a bit different than a normal image transfer. While you're rubbing off the paper, you'll suddenly see a lot of gooey stuff that looks like white paint. At first I thought it was glue and I hadn't let it dry enough! I set it aside to dry, just in case. When I rewet it, the 'paint' stuff reappeared.

Figuring I didn't have anything to lose, I started wiping it away with a baby wipe. Even after wiping quite a bit, I was left with what you see above. Again, figuring I might as well try to salvage it (I thought it was a failure at this point), I kept rubbing, this time with quite a bit of elbow grease!

After a bit, the image started becoming more and more clear. I took special care around the face, just to make sure I didn't accidentally rub it off!

After all the hazy stuff was rubbed away, this is what the image looked like. Very cool, right?! Because of the coating on the card, the image ends up being very strong and a little glossy. I thought the bubbling effect looked great too. When it was dry, I applied more ink to help blend the image even more, and to make the colors a bit more intense.

I trimmed the tag down so that it would fit on the front of the tag. I added Remnant Rubs, and stamped images using StazOn ink.

I wanted to add one of Tim's Mirrored Stars, but I wanted to give it an aged look. Lightly sanding the back toned down the shininess and made it look very vintage. Love that look! The little faux rivets are some I had left over from this project.

Since a tag is so much longer than a card, I wanted to see if I could elongate the banner poles so that they'd reach a little higher. By lining up the cutting pads about 1/16" from the bottom of the die, you'll end up with a pole that is cut through, leaving the bottom uncut.

 On the right you can see how the pole will look. Now, you can choose how long you'd like it to be and use your scissors or trimmer to cut the sides.

The pop-up tag was created just like I did in THIS tutorial, using Tim Holtz's Tag die. The Lots of Pops mechanism was cut out of decorative paper, trimmed down, and adhered inside the folded tag. I used a scrap from another tag to stamp the cupcake image on and used one of the frames from Karen's Accordion Fancy Label set to cut it out. The little banners were cut using a die that is part of the Lots of Pops set (you get SO many dies!!). I added Label Letters to spell out Dad and strung them between the poles with Tim's new Jute String.

I hope you enjoyed this crazy long post! I apologize for the lack of stepped-out pics on the inside - I got carried away and totally forgot to take them. I hope you try the transfer technique, Wendy's ink technique, and some of Karen's fantastic dies. More than anything, I love combining all of my favorite things into something for one of my favorite people...that's what this is all about, right? :)

Everything I used can be found at Inspiration Emporium via the links below. Remember to use my coupon code - stamptramp - to save 10% on your order. They also offer some of the cheapest shipping around!




Remember too, that IE has a challenge going on right now. This month we want you to 'Show it With Words'. Hope you can join in with us. You could win a $50 gift certificate!

37 comments:

  1. Beautiful project. Very cool transfer method. I've had my eye on those relative cards and this is yet another reason to make that purchase.

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  2. Jaw. On. Table. I am in love with this project. That photo transfer is the bomb! Love the lengthened poles, too. Clever lady!

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  3. It's amazing Shelly! What a technique trailblazer you are. I can't even describe how cool this is and I can't wait to get back into the "lab" to try your experiments out!

    Amy*

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  4. total AWESOMENESS!!! Love that transfer!

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  5. love the transfer! this is a great card.

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  6. Amazing! Love the step by step Shelly - thanks for all the detail!

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  7. Shelly, Shelly, SHELLY ... WOW ... that's over the top cool! Your creativity ALWAYS WOWS me... I LOVE the things you create, love the techniques, the details, the colors, the textures... it's exciting to see !!!

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  8. Fantastic experiments and outcomes Shelly, lots of details to keep coming back to and ideas to try out. TFS xxx

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  9. Wonderful tutorial! Pinned! fab tag as always! BArbarayaya

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  10. One of the best tutorials I've ever seen, although the pole lengthening stumped me. I'm one of those "show me how to do it" learners. I'll have to go back and re-read it. It's a very innovative, interesting and awesome project. I love it.

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  11. the image transfer looks so cool, may just have to have a play with that! trace x

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  12. Brilliantly awesome, Shelly! I HAVE to work on my image transfer skills! Oh, dear!
    Hugs,
    Claudia x

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  13. OMG Shelly. This piece is right up my alley. It's got me so excited I'm going to have to try this one. Thanks for the tutorial too. Brilliant just Brilliant. Karen.x

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  14. You're such an amazing creator - loving your work.

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  15. OOOO! Shelly! Just gorgeous. I love the way you present your tutorials. I said, "Let's see how Shelly solved the transfer dilemma". And that, you did! Excellent!

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  16. Wow Shelly, I love that amazing transfer technique you used, not had much luck with this before but I will definitely try out your experiment! Thanks so much for sharing your techniques.

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  17. It's very nice. Great techniques. Thanks for sharing, Johanne Lacombe

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  18. Fantastic Shelly! Love the transfer, the background...everything!

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  19. AMAZING!!! Thanks for the tutorial! Loving this!!

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  20. The transfer turned out awesome. Thanks for the tutorial and what you went through as you tried this technique. I have had much frustration attempting this in the past and threw away several tries. It's great to know if you just hang in there and work it over a little harder, it will turn out amazing after all.

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  21. This is the best yet!!! Can't wait to try it.

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  22. You are so darn clever Shelly! Brilliant transfer and use of dies and all the other yummies. Nicola x

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  23. This tag pop up card ROCKS!!! I love the image transfer using the new Tim cards! I am so going to try this! You are awesome!

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  24. Awesomely, spectacularly FANTASTIC. The image transfer looks great.

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  25. Ok, this whole post is a HOLY CRAP!! Wow, I have learned three or four classes worth!! I know what I am going to be doing until the wee hours of the morning tonight!!
    - Jen Johnson

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  26. Very cool-love what you did! Thanks for sharing the techniques, too!

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  27. Just brilliant... the image transfer is completely fabulous over the glowing translucent ink colours - a simply amazing tag. Thanks so much for sharing all your tips and fantastically successful experiments!
    Alison x

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  28. This is such a cool tag and a fab tutorial too! The transfer looks simply amazing and I adore the colours you have used! Nothing like experimenting, - wow, thanks so much for the inspiration!!

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  29. I would have never thought to try a transfer with our new relatives...love how this came out!!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!