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Heated Pearls and Acetate Card

By: Bea Rosenleaf

Trailblazers

Mixed Media Art Team Designer

 
When I first read about this technique, I was skeptical, to say the least. The directions said to use glue, Pearl-X and heat. I couldn’t imagine what kind of mess this would turn out to be!  I think you will agree, the background turned out very elegant! The colors reminded me of the Orient, so I went with the thought and created a sympathy card with an Oriental theme. Come into my studio and learn how to do this amazing technique! Be ready to get sticky fingers. This is rather messy, so you may want to get some protective clothing.

Supplies:

Black Card, 6-1/2”x5” (Michaels)

Piece of Acetate, cut to 6-1/2”x11” - fold in half to fit the card (Office Supply Store)

Red Cardstock cut in half, 5-1/2”x8-1/2” (The Angel Co.)

Oriental Horse Stamp (Onyxx Xpressions)

Grieving Heart Sentiment Stamp (Onyxx Xpressions)

Elmer’s Glue

Pearl-Ex: (Jacquard Products)

·        Spring Green

·        Brilliant Gold

Large Stipple Brush

3 square gold brads (Making Memories)

Noir Palette Hybrid Ink Pad (Stewart Superior) - Can also use Staz-On Ink Pad in Black

Paper Plate or a Plastic bag to use as a palette

Container with water

Heat Gun

Paper Cutter

Adhesive of Choice

Crystal Lacquer

Scrap paper or Craft Sheet (Ranger)

Instructions:

Create the Background: (Heated Pearls) 

1.  Set the red cardstock on scrap paper or craft sheet to protect work area. Squirt glue onto paper plate. Take the stipple brush and pounce it in the glue then pounce all over the cardstock.  You will want a fairly thick coating of glue. Work quickly as the glue dries fast.

2.  Dip the same stipple brush into the first color of Pearl-Ex and pounce (stipple) over the glue. Repeat with the next color. There is no need to clean the brush at this point.

3.  When done stippling the colors on the glue, set the brush in the container of water. Take the heat gun and apply heat to the bottom of the cardstock. When the glue starts to get hot it will start bubbling – stop heating in that area and move to the next area. Keep doing this until all the glue is dry and bubbled. Be careful not to burn the glue. Once dry the cardstock will be textured wherever the glue was applied.

4.  Wash the brush in soap and water so the glue doesn’t set up in the bristles. Set brush aside to dry.

**It is worth noting that the heat process of the glue creates an odor. Be sure to do this technique in a well ventilated room. If you can open a window, do so.**

Finishing the Card:

1.  Cut the background paper into two pieces measuring 3-1/8”x4-1/4” and 2-3/8”x4-1/4”.  Adhere to the black card. Refer to photo for placement.

2.  Attach the 3 brads between the two background pieces, try to center and space uniformly.

3.  Apply a thin strip of Crystal Lacquer to the fold of the Black Card and place the piece of folded acetate over the black card. Make sure the fold and the edges are lined up.

(An optional way to attach the acetate would be to punch small holes in the folds of both the card and the acetate and attach together with thin ribbon or a metallic thread and tie in a knot or a bow on the outside of the card.)

4.  Ink up the sentiment stamp and center over the smaller background piece on the left-hand side and stamp onto the acetate. Acetate is slippery, so work slowly here.

5.  Repeat step four using the horse on the right-hand side of the card, centering over the background. Set aside to allow ink to dry on the acetate. 

If you would like to print this technique including a near-full size image of the layout, click here. Once you've saved or printed the technique sheet, use your browser's back button to return.

 Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to obtain this file. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, click here to download and install.