StitchWitcheryClass

SAMPLES: There are six gorgeous samples ready to view.

SUPPLIES:
*Fusible Web...Stitch Witchery
*Heat Gun
*Card or cardstock
*Regular embossing powder (s) of choice
*Stamps to stamp and later mount on background

INSTRUCTIONS:
   Here is Part I of Stitch Witchery class. To start, stitch witchery, fusible web is used in the sewing industry for bonding fabrics together so no stitching is needed. You can purchase this at Walmart and JoAnn Fabrics. Personally, I buy mine from the counter where you have your fabrics cut in JoAnn's. It is more "feathery" than the prepackaged stuff. There is also a 5/8 " band of stitch witchery by Dritz that you can buy and it is great for more abstract backgrounds or borders. I've used this in one of the examples.
   Next I want to say that I learned this great background technique from Suze Weinberg last August. I'm also going to have the privilege of seeing her again 3/18 and 3/20. Hopefully I will bring back lots of new ideas for all of you. She is really a great instructor! Oh....and her new book, "The Art of Rubber Stamping" is great and has lots of colored photos using this this technique.

1. Cut fusible web a little bigger than your card size and place on card.
2. Use your heat gun to "melt" the webbing to the card. The webbing will
begin to separate as it fuses to the paper, thus producing an interesting
texture and pattern. Any webbing left hanging over the edges can be melted
away or later cut with scissors.
   Note: Do not overheat. Use just enough heat to get webbing to adhere to the
card surface. .
3. Apply embossing powders on webbing surface. Do not use UTEE; just powders of various colors that you like or that will go with the image you have selected. This works best with powders that are more fine. Try different colors all at one time: sprinkle here; sprinkle there.
   I like using hints of gold in almost everything and the lapis azul by JudiKinns is really neat with this technique also. In the example with the sunflowers I tried making a landscape (sort of ) background. I tried using sunflower e.p. and I tried creating clouds with the white e.p and grass with malachite e.p. Of course, I'm better at the abstract, but it was fun trying!!
   Note: This step may be done at any time, even days later. The powder will adhere to the surface and no ink is needed.
   Begin heating the powders with your heat gun and watch the webbing separate further as it becomes even more affixed to the card. Don't overheat, but do heat enough to make the webbing stick as permanently as possible. It can life easily if there are too many loose spots.
   Don't get excited if your webbing shrinks and really distorts from what it looked like originally; it's supposed to!!
   Stamp (or stamp and heat emboss) images with archival or dye ink onto separate card and cut out.
   Adhere images onto surface with foam mounting tape to give it a raised appearance. Wonder tape is great as it sticks to everything!
   Another note for embossing powder selection: you can do a rainbow effect by sprinkling powders in a diagonal or you can even brayer your card first with rainbow dye inkpad prior to placing web on card.
   There are really so many creative ways to use this technique. As from the scan I sent last night, of Kris' card, you can cut it up and frame a piece of it, maybe punch it and mount pieces of it, use it for borders instead of glue and glass beads or embossing powders.
   Any questions, please contact Tracie.