ColdLaminateClass

SAMPLES: Stunning samples are ready to view at the egroups site.

SUPPLIES:
Laminate. I use the heavy duty kind, this is more sturdy than the kind at Walmart or most scrapbook supply places. Most likely found in the art supply section at Michaels, or at an art supply store. You can try substituting acetate and using Wonder tape or something similar on the back. I haven't tried it, but I've heard others use it with great success.
*If you want to stamp on it you need a permanent ink, like Ranger 213 or other ink suitable for non-porous surfaces; otherwise it'll never dry. I like the Ranger because it dries almost intstantaneously and I require that, being patience-challenged.
*Magic flakes or leafing
*Small print images (like the sheets of postoids sold at conventions)
*Jumbo punches
*Pearl-ex or other, similar powder medium
*Applicators for putting on the powder (I just use my fingers)

INSTRUCTIONS:
MAGIC LEAF WITH COLD LAMINATE
   This is a fun one, with lots of variations! I first saw this demo at the Rubber Moon booth at the Coeur d'Alene convention last Fall.
Supplies:
* Heavy-duty cold laminating sheets
* Magic Leaf, either sheets or flakes
* Pearl-Ex, Powdered Pearls, Faerie Dust or some other similar powder
* Permanent Ink / Crafterís Ink (I use Ranger 213 for non-porous surfaces)
* Jumbo punches (optional)
** A note about the ink, you can try Memories if you wish; however, laminating sheets are basically adhesive-backed acetate, ink will NOT dry through absorption. If you do want to try the Memories pad, try letting it dry over night.
   Method 1: Cut a piece of heavy-duty laminate slightly larger than the image you will be stamping. (If you prefer, stamp and then cut around it) I use Ranger 213 Permanent ink, mostly because I have NO patience waiting around for ink to dry. I use fairly detailed images, although this is purely a matter of preference.
   Take the backing off the piece and apply pieces of Magic Leaf here and there, filling in as much as you wish. You can either use a paintbrush or your finger to pick up pieces and try to place them where you want. Be aware, though, that the adhesive is like a magnet with this stuff, it's tricky to always get it where you want it!
   Alternatively, you can just dip your piece in the container of flakes. This is for people who require instant gratification. Use a soft paintbrush to brush away excess. This method does use up a LOT more flakes, though, so you may want to save this for very small pieces. (See Method #2).
   Using various colors of Pearl-Ex, rub powder here and there filling in wherever the adhesive is still tacky.     You are done. I use double-sided tape to attach it to cardstock.
IMAGE TRANSFER WITH COLD LAMINATE
   How's that for a name! This is a really fun one, too! I saw Meegan Ware and her mom demo this at the Spokane convention this Spring (I can't remember the name of the booth)
Supplies:
* Heavy-duty cold laminating sheets
* Images of your choice, such as postoids or book illustrations (let's keep copyright privileges in mind, here)
* Pearl-Ex, Powdered Pearls, Faerie Dust or some other similar powder
   My favorite images right now come from a bookstore find, a little 4x4" book of Japanese prints. The pages are printed double-sided, so I have to sacrifice one, but still for 99 cents. The pages are glossy, although I don't think that matters, really.I've also used postoid images, these come in 8-1/2 x 11 sheets with several different images on them. I have intermittent success using images from, say, food boxes. I made an M&M guy card using the image from a box of Kudos with no problem, but have only been able to duplicate that success twice since then, go figure!
   So, trim the image to the size I want, and then cut a slightly large piece of laminate. Pull off the backing and place the image face down against the adhesive. Burnish it to make sure it's really stuck down good, and then put it in a bowl of warm water to soak for at least 20 minutes. A thicker piece of paper may need to soak longer. (What you're wanting to get off is the paper backing and the adhesive in between the front and the back. This leaves you with an image that seems to be floating on the clear laminate.)
   Remove the piece and pat it to get the excess water off, although you want it wet still. Using the BALL OF YOUR FINGER (not your fingernail!!) rub briskly until the paper backing starts balling up and coming off the image. You'll start to see the image become transparent, be patient! DO NOT TRY TO HURRY BY SCRAPING WITH YOUR FINGERNAIL! Trust me on this one, you'll just be disappointed when you see that your image is partially scraped away, too!
   If it starts getting harder to get the backing to ball up, wet the piece again, that seems to help.
   When you are satisfied that you can't get any more of the backing off, dry the piece well and choose what powder colors you will use, keep in mind that some colors (the duo and the interference colors) look different over different paper colors. I use my fingertips to apply the powder, but you can use a soft brush, too.
   And that's all she wrote! It's all down hill from here. Choose your cardstock and put together your project! If you have any questions, please contact Betsy.