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Magic Metal Stamping Technique by Karen McAlpine
Instructions by Karen
Hi Blockheads! It's me, Design Team Member Karen, here
with a new Technique Challenge Tutorial. This month's
Technique is "Magic Metal" and uses metallic
colored embossing powder to create a metal like background
to stamp into. I wanted to share a few tips before we
start the tutorial. Firstly, read through the directions.
Secondly, use a very heavy cardstock (like #110). Light
weight card stock will not work because the embossing
powder cools too quickly. Thirdly, choose a stamp that
is very deeply etched (like the ones in the samples).
And lastly, have everything out and ready before you
begin working.
Materials Needed:
Heavy Cardstock
VersaMark
or Other Embossing Ink
Embossing
Powder
Heat
Tool
Stamps of your choice
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The first step is to cut your card stock to fit
the stamp. Trying to cut the Magic Metal is a
bit difficult and it may crumble. Press the cardstock
onto the VersaMark pad to completely coat the
cardstock. (Hint: since you'll be completely covering
your cardstock in the next steps if you want to
first stamp your image as a guide for cutting
your cardstock, it won't show)
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Cover the cardstock with metal colored embossing
powder. In the examples, Gold Superfine Embossing
powder from Ranger is used. Silver, copper, or
any other metallic embossing powder would work
too. The powder does not have to be superfine.
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Melt the powder with a heat gun. Now, we have
to start working quickly at this point. While
the powder is still hot, add another layer of
the embossing powder by pressing the melted powder
back into the dry powder, or sprinkling more powder
over top. If the powder cools too quickly, simply
heat again.
Heat again, and while still hot, add another
layer of embossing powder. Keep working in this
way until you have four layers of embossing powder.
Don't shake off too much of the excess before
heating. Keep in mind the object of this technique
is to create a deep molten background that you
can press a stamp into.
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While the embossing powder is still hot, press
the stamp into the Magic Metal. Press firmly.
The stamped used in this sample is the Vine Border
from the Backgrounds
and Borders full sheet. Use Stazon Stamp Cleaner
to get the stamps clean after using them in this
technique. (Hint: If you have some clear embossing
ink on your stamp when you press it into the melted
enamel, it will act as a release substance and
make clean-up easier.)
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And the result is a fabulous metal like-piece.
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The pieces can be used as charms, a main focal
point, or an embellishment. Don't worry if the
image doesn't come out perfect. The piece can
still be used. Trim the piece carefully or place
an embellishment over the area you don't like
(see card sample with large bead).
Here is the card I made using a Magic Metal piece
as a focal point. 
And, don't neglect the inside of the card. The
sentiment is from the Verses-Feel
Better
half sheet.
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Challenge Details
If you blog and would like to join our Technique Challenge
Blog Hop, simply create something using this technique,
post it to your blog and include the link code:
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=140023"></script>
<!-- end InLinkz script -->
To enter this code after composing your post, simply
switch to HTML editing mode (there is an HTML tab next
to the compose tab on blogger above the window where
you type your post) and paste the code at the bottom
of the HTML code that was created by blogger when you
composed your post. This code creates links to other
participants. To be fair to other participants, links
will be removed that don't include the code.
Finally, submit your URL here: Blockheads
Challenge - Magic Metal Technique Blog Hop
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