Tool Time: Brayers

I was recently reading an article on a stamping website where everyone was discussing crafting tools that just had to have, but have been collecting dust for some time.  This got me thinking about what must have tools I had sitting in the back of drawer collecting desk.  Well after thinking and digging, I came up with my brayer.   Years ago, it was one of the hottest tools, used to create stunning, yet simple backgrounds with a Kalidacolor ink pad.  Now that those rainbow pads have been discontinued by Stampin' Up! I just haven't used my brayer in ages.

So out it came to create the two cards I'm sharing today.  Let me insert here that I truly thought about creating a brayer tutorial, but there are already so many wonderful tutorials and ideas sheets out there already it didn't seem to make sense,  Instead, here are two places you might want to check out:

• Brayered Sky by the very talented Michelle Zindorf who is a wonder with the brayer
• Brayering Tips

 My first card was created using masking, reverse masking, and a brayered background.

I first used a reverse mask, created by punching a 1 3/8" circle from a post-it note and sponged So Saffron, Summer Sun, and More Mustard classic inks through the punched post-it note, onto Glossy card stock to create the golden moon.  next I placed the punched circle over the moon to protect it from my brayered background.

Using the rubber brayer, I brayered Baja Breeze across most of the card, then added layers of Pacific Point, Ballet Blue and finally Night of Navy.  I then sponged the edges of the card using my Basic Black classic ink (though it appears more blue than black!)  Next, I used the Basic Black classic ink and stamped the grass from Inspired by Nature atop the brayered background.

To me, the final look reminds me of sunset at the beach.  My hubby commented that using the glossy card stock gave the card the feeling of an actual photograph.

The brayered piece was then layered over Night of Navy and a card base of Baja Breeze.  I used the key tag punch to created the sentiment piece.

 

The next card I created with my brayer used the sponge brayer.  While I would love to let you think that I came up with this idea by myself, it is an almost exact CASE of a wonderful card created by Janine Tinklenberg (aka Jan Tink).  The card is created by stamping the tree from Season of Friendship (from the new Holiday Mini catalog-available for ordering October 1) using the Versamark ink and embossing with Clear Embossing Powder on a piece of Baja Breeze card stock.  Next, punch a 1 1/4" circle from a post-it note and stick where you want the moon to be.  Using the sponge brayer, brayer Baja Breeze classic ink across the entire card.  Next, sponge Night of Navy ink around the tree and the edge of the card to creare the darker shadows. Take a tissue and gently rub the excess ink off the tree base- this will allow the color of the original card stock to show through.

 Remove the masked moon and using your Stamp-A-Ma-Jig place your little birdie on one of the tree branches.  For the snowflakes I deviated a bit from Jan's design and stamped the them using Whisper White craft ink and embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing power.  I wanted a more snowy, glittery night feel.

The card was finished off by mounting onto Whisper White card stock, adding a piece of Whisper White taffeta ribbon, layering onto a Baja Breeze card base and stamping the sentiment, again using my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig for exact placement, with Night of Navy classic ink.  While it certainly looks complicated, it really was quite easy.  This will be one of my demonstration cards for my October workshops.  If you would like to see how to make this in person, call me today to schedule your Stampin' Up! workshop.

Also, don't forget that you can order any or all of the items used to create these projects, online, 24/7 using the "Shop Now" feature of my offical Stampin' Up! website.

Comments

[DianeLoy]

GREAT creations - Thanks for sharing
DianeL

[Lynn]

This is just gorgeous! I can't wait to try this myself. Love the sparkley snowflakes!

[Sheryl]

Hi I just found your blog via SCS, and I'm so glad I did, I sooooo want to learn how to do this! Those are just beautiful cards, I hope I get to be as good as you! I'm adding you to my bookmarks, I'll be coming back for more!:}

Hope you have a blessed cr8tive day!

[SmilynStef]

How gorgeous ... love them both.