Whenever I'm creating a layout or card, I like to find ways to make my embellishments stand out and be unique. One way to do that is to use a liquid embossing product. If you're not familiar with it... it's different than the embossing fluid you might use with dry embossing powders on your stamp projects. Liquid embossing is more like a glaze or a dimensional glue that is usually clear or may come with a slight tint of color that you can apply to virtually any scrapbook product. Once it dries it has a glassy finish that adds shine and dimension to your project. It resembles the great effect you get when using an embossing powder that has been melted with a heat gun, but liquid embossing is a bit easier to accomplish especially for those who may not stamp. I find that applying the liquid embossing is a super simple technique that can really make stickers, chipboard, paper designs and stamped images come to life.
In this layout - Surf's Up! - I used liquid embossing on many of the embellishments and stickers as well as the patterned paper and background cardstock.
For your own projects, my suggestion is to first organize and design your layout almost completely. Applying the liquid embossing product will most likely be the last thing you do to your layout and to any accent pieces. It will require a little time to dry, but the effect is well worth it. Also, you may choose to liquid emboss pieces before attaching them to your page. If so, be sure to give them plenty of time to dry to a hard finish before you try to adhere them.
Once you've chosen the embellishments and paper accents you want to liquid emboss you can start by applying any inking or pen work to them. Then apply the liquid embossing to these pieces by first outlining the shape of the accent or design and then filling in the center of your outline. Avoid shaking the bottle since that will create bubbles which can make it difficult to apply the liquid smoothly. If you do get bubbles, use a sewing needle to carefully pop the bubbles for that smooth finish. On my layout, I applied the liquid embossing product to alpha letters, images on cut out paper squares and to chipboard shapes as well.
I also stamped images, added a bit of color with colored pencil and then applied the liquid embossing. When applying the liquid to paper or cardstock, it may bend or warp some but this will flatten out once it's dried.
Once the first coat dries, another coat can be added to really add shine and dimension. I added a few extra layers to the alphas in my title for that bubble letter effect.
I loved this crab image so much and decided to use it as a part of an accent at the top left corner of my page. I simply outlined and filled in the crab image once I had all my pieces adhered in place.
I also liquid embossed this turtle image and made it into a stamp of sorts. I applied the liquid embossing to the starfish and other chipboard pieces on the page as well.
I hope you enjoyed my layout using liquid embossing. Adding dimension and shine is a fun way to further enhance Bo Bunny's beautiful products. I hope you'll do the same by giving your projects your own personal flair.
Materials Used: Paradise pattern paper - Flight, Surf, Paradise, Locals, Sunset, Boardwalk, Lingo and Paradise Cut Outs; Paradise iCandy Chipboard, iCandy Jewels and iCandy Brads; Paradise 12x12 Chipboard; Paradise Combo Stickers; Paradise Buttons & Bling and Paradise Rub-Ons.
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That's not all today....we also have some fabulous layouts to share with you based on a Layout Sketch created by the very talented Rita Shimniok.
Designer: Debbie Nicholas
Products used: Bo Bunny Flower Child Patterned papers - Aquarius, Love beads, Free Bird, Far Out, Stripe and Hippy; Bo Bunny Flower Child Combo Stickers, iCandy Brads, Chipboard Stickers.
Designer: Rita Shimniok
Products used: BoBunny Roughin' It Papers- Nature, Leaves, Dots, Way to Go Diecut, Roadsigns, CutOuts; Combo Stickers; iCandy Chipboard Stickers; iCandy Brads; Catching Memories Cardstock Stickers; On With Nature Rub-on; Buttons and Bling; Blueberry Double Dot Ribbon; Bodacious Brads
Designer: Juliana Michaels
Products used: Bo Bunny Petal Pushers Patterned Paper in Stripe and Doodles; Noteworthy Loose Leaves; Lazy Daisy Rubons;Petal Pushers Combo Stickers; Double Dot Cardstock in Decaf'
Double Dot Ribbon in Kiwi; Bo Bunny Bling (various)
Designer Tip: Remove the cover of the Noteworthy Journaling Cards. Weave the ribbon through
the holes on the cover of the Noteworthy journaling cards, cut out around the
image and then attach to your layout as an embellishment.
Designer: Christine Ousley
Products used: Block Party Celebration, Sparkler, Chill and Picnic; Block Party Journaling Cards; Block Party Combo Sticker; Block Party Chipboard; Chunky Chips Chipboard Alpha- Chiffon
Designer Notes: Don't be afraid to add or subtract elements from the layout
sketch. Here I opted for 2 vertical pictures instead of the 1 large horizontal
and 2 smaller pictures. Substituting the pictures plus the few embellishments
works because they take up approximately the same amount of space. This tip is
good to remember when you only have a few pictures and the sketch calls for
many.
Products used: Petal Pushers pattern paper - Garden, Doodles, Stripe and Petal Pushers Cutouts; Petal Pushers Combo Stickers;Petal Pushers Chipboard;It's A Girl Thing Cardstock Stickers;Petal Pushers iCandy Jewels;Chunky Chips Alpha-Licorice
We hope you've been inspired and enjoy the sketch!
Feel free to join us in our sketch. Either email your project to thebobunnyblog@gmail.com or add your image to the link below. Due 8/25.
Can't wait to see what you come up with!
