I did mention that string theory is addictive, yes? This time I decided to try heat embossing.
Since versamark is quite sticky, I ended up with rather too much copper at the bottom of the image. Trimming worked rather well and focused on the more detailed part. I added a copper foil mat and heat embossed the sentiment from Blooms and Wishes (retiring). I rather like the copper and white card. Here’s my first post on string theory and also the link to Lydia Fiedler’s blog post – including a video.
I hope you enjoyed today’s project.
Don’t forget that the retiring list is out and the clearance rack has been refreshed. Click on the Shop Now button to go to my online shop and browse what’s available.
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I decided to try more string theory and this time to use two stands of twine. This was using thick baker’s twine which does give a different look – experiment with any string you can find, it’s fun! One strand was colored with bermuda bay and the other with dapper denim.
On this card I draped the two pieces of string separately on the bottom card layer, then put the ends together, added the top card layer and pulled the string out of the phone book. For more detailed instructions, see my earlier blog post or Lydia Fiedler’s blog where I first learned the technique. I hadn’t really planned for a sentiment so now I went on a hunt for the right sized one – and found it in Picture Perfect Birthday, stamped in bermuda bay.
For these two beauties, I’m showing the top and bottom layer that were created together. I put the two pieces of string together and then arranged them on the card. It’s amazing how different they look even though they are mirror images. For the one I again used the Picture Perfect Birthday sentiment but for the other I used the Celebrate You thinlits dies which I earned in Sale-a-bration but which will be available in the new annual catalog in June.
I hope that you enjoyed today’s projects and that I’ve inspired you to try your hand at string theory. Just don’t forget the gloves or cling film to prevent extremely inky hands! If you’re short of re-inkers or card stock you can buy them in my store. Most of all, have fun!
Click on the buttons below to join my team, shop or learn how to earn free stamp sets and bundles. This month’s host code is above the Shop Now tab in the menu on the left. Just copy and paste it or type it into the box at the bottom of your order where it says HOST CODE and then click apply.
You will discover, once you find your old phone book, that playing with string with the String Theory technique is addictive. In just mere moments you can have quite a number of layers ready to make into cards. Here’s my first post on the technique and here’s Lydia Fiedler’s blog post which includes her video.
I used a piece of twine that was natural and gold again and doused it in bermuda bay ink. The metal in the twine definitely adds to the effect by not taking up the ink. I made two loops in the twine and then another towards the bottom of the card, topped it with a second card and put it into my phone book. Then (using a glove!) I used one hand to press down on the phone book and the other to pull out the twine. I really loved the effect of two separate petals (?) at the top of my image. The space left was perfect for this sentiment from Picture Perfect Birthday also stamped in bermuda bay. I of course mounted this on a bermuda bay card base.
It’s a good idea to wear gloves. It really is, BUT then it’s easy to add smudges of ink as I did on the top piece of card. So I cropped it, mounted it on a black piece of card and added a sentiment from Vertical Greetings. You can see that they are mirror images but they look very different.
I hope that you’ll have a go with the String Theory technique, it’s loads of fun. Just find a phone book, some gloves and see what you produce. I’d love to see what you come up with.
Don’t forget that we’re in the final days of Sale-a-bration the time where you earn freebies for every $50 of product or where joining the family gets you 2 free stamp sets of your choice. There’s also extra free product if your order is over $250. Click on the links below to join my team or shop. I’m also offering free stamp set or free bundles aswell.
I hope you enjoyed today’s project.
Click on the buttons below to join my team, shop or learn how to earn free stamp sets and bundles. This month’s host code is above the Shop Now tab in the menu on the left. Just copy and paste it or type it into the box at the bottom of your order where it says HOST CODE and then click apply.
One of the blogs that I read religiously is Lydia Fiedler’s understandblue. I think it’s fair to say that Lydia is a technique junky, a quality that I greatly admire. When I read her entry entitled String Theory back in December, I was determined to have a go – she has a video which makes this very easy to follow. The first thing you need though is an old phone book. Luckily, I’m not the kind of person who is prompt in recycling such things and I found a few lurking around the house. I think my brother is becoming used to me using odd things for crafting!
I used dapper denim ink on some Stampin’ Up! retired gold and cream twine which I think accounts for the almost dotted look of the arcs of the shape. The gold obviously doesn’t absorb the ink. I used cling film/shrink wrap and put some drops of ink onto it and then used a plastic glove covered hand to help rub the twine into the ink. Next I put a piece of card into the phone book and let the twine twist itself onto the card. You then add another piece of card and, ensuring that you have some twine poking out of the book, close the book, put your hand on top and pull the twine out.
As Lydia says, you can use the same twine without reinking – this was the first pull of the inked up twine. I found that if you put too much pressure towards the bottom of the book (and thus card), you can get some very solid colour, so it’s better to keep your hand higher up the book. Also, if you’re planning a sentiment, you might want to consider the direction that you’re pulling the twine and don’t have it lined up in the centre. Be careful about smudging your card layers with your gloved hand – for that reason I found it best to wear only one glove. I did get quite messy on some occasions but washing my hair resolved that.
I finished my card off with a dapper denim base and used the Celebrate You thinlits dies. These will be in the upcoming annual catalog, but they are also available as a freebie in Sale-a-bration until the end of March. Personally, I like free. 🙂
I hope you enjoyed today’s project.
Click on the buttons below to join my team, shop or learn how to earn free stamp sets and bundles. This month’s host code is above the Shop Now tab in the menu on the left. Just copy and paste it or type it into the box at the bottom of your order where it says HOST CODE and then click apply.
