A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

September 19, 2021

Braying Away!

Hello Stamplings!

Oops, I think the title is wrong. Is this a post about Don Keys? I think not. Although in the past when I've tried to brayer, I did end up braying like a sick donkey from my frustration with making messes!

But thanks to crafty friends, I tried brayering again and I LOVE it! I had a preconceived notion that because of the advent of soft blending brushes, I would prefer to blend ink for a background rather than brayer it, but I discovered that both can be very fun and very addictive!

From my stack of newly brayered backgrounds, I have a coupla simple designs to share. (Wait, wasn't I trying to use UP my backgrounds?!😲)

Onefer
How's that for a big bowl of texture? I mentioned in my last post that I'm knee-deep in Christmas, but I did hope to throw in a few autumnal designs and the brayering was just the opportunity I needed. 

I used Oxie inks in fall colors and spongy brayers from SU to create the background on glossy paper. When you brayer ink onto glossy paper, it leaves a dull finish. So Hammy didn't need to use his winker today. Instead, once we were happy with the inking, he helped me polish the inky finished panels with a piece of old fabric until they were back to a high glossy shine. It works like a magic trick!

The hello was cut from burlap and glued to eight-layers of cardstock because did I mention texture? The leaf is from Gina K.'s "Stitched Leaves" and it was cut from a perfect piece of fiery fall pp. 

Challenges


Twofer
And as a toucan of my appreciation for this new-found love of brayering, I made this fun fall birthday card. Again, lots of gloss, lots of dementia. The NBUS 3D embossing folder is "Tropical Leaves" from Sizzix. I like the way the panel split in a few places to give it the look of sanding. 

The NBUS toucan and branch are from Concord & 9th's "Toucan Paradise" stamp and die set. This colorful bird is not normally seen in silhouette, but cut from glossy black paper, he looks googly-eyed and handsome against the colorful background. 

Challenges

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66 comments:

Aquarius said...

Some brilliant results from your brayering - so many ways to colour plain card it is sometimes difficult to choose which to use. They all give different results and each have their occasional pitfalls but that is part of the joy in crafting. Keeps us on our toes!!

Tina Z. said...

Wow, such beautiful backgrounds, I love your warm colours and combinations.
Uf, I had the same problems so I should try it again perhaps...
Thank you so much for your beautiful birthday card, it arrived on time, you planned this perfectly. So, international post is working again, woo-hoo!
Crafty hugs xx

Julie B said...

Gorgeous brayered backgrounds Darnell, what paper did you use to get the shparkerley effect? :)

Jeanne said...

Well I have no braying about your beautiful brayering, Darnell. Golly, the blends are so smooth and pretty. A gorgeous background for your focal images that is for sure. You have a lovely way with texture, too. Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you have a beautiful day. :)

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Two lovely cards.

Hope you have a good start to the week. Sue

Darlene said...

WOW ... both cards are just fabulous and your brayering is BEAUTIFUL! I haven't done any brayering in a very long time ... thanks for inspiration! Also, thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D ‘Leaves’ challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.
Darlene
DOUBLE D Challenge Blog
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Please stop in for a visit!

Cathy said...

Wow! Your brayered backgrounds are so seamless and polished looking! Perfect for your autumn leaves and toucan, gorgeous cards Darnell, Cathy x

Chris said...

Both gorgeous! Love those perfect brayered backgrounds- with and without the embossing.
xx

I Card Everyone said...

LOve your fall colors, D! Do tell, how did Hammy get those panels so shiny? a little glaze perhaps?
=]

Diane said...

Beautiful cards and awesome brayering !!! Thank you for joining our challenge at Double D!
Diane DD DT https://nelliesnest.blogspot.com/2021/09/promise-of-peace.html

BożenA said...

These are such amazing two cards, Darnell. I love your ombre background, it's like the sky at sunset. A beautiful composition with an autumn theme, and the black silhouette of a bird contrasts wonderfully with this stunning backdrop. Big wow!
hugs,
BozenA

Jean said...

Lovely cards! You have inspired me to get my brayer out! Fall will arrive here in Michigan with cooler temps! I am ready.

Bobby said...

I can't wait to get back to my craft room and do some more gel prints. Did you seal them with glaze to get that shiny finish, Darnell? It looks fantastic embossed or not. Thanks for sharing the toucan with us at Just Us Girls.

JulieP said...

Wow! These are lovely Darnell!

meg said...

Beautiful autumnal backgrounds the leaf and sentiment,look wonderful against it,thank you for joining in at MMM

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Two gorgeous cards with your brayered backgrounds, Darnell - love the colors and you blended them beautifully!! Especially in love with the burlap hello - what great texture beside the colorful leaf!! And your toucan silhouette looks amazing on the leafy background!

Brenda in IN said...

I'm so glad you tried braying again. This time it worked perfectly and your cards are amazing. I love the leaf and raised sentiment in burlap. The toucan is awesome and just shines. That is a great e/f for the background texture. You toucan brayer!

Stamps and Paper said...

Two beautiful cards...love the brayering backgrounds on your cards the colours are amazing and it looks even lovelier when embossed...


Anne x

Sue said...

Really gorgeous backgrounds Darnell you've cracked your brayering! hugs Sue x

Pat said...

Certainly no braying to be made as this is perfect rolling and blending Darnell in some gorgeous autumn colours and love the pretty added leaf, and who could resist your wonderful toucan on the second and the 3D embossing in the background suits him perfectly. x

Nancy said...

I would have never guessed these were brayed backgrounds! For the first one, the hello looks absolutely wonderful and that leaf looks absolutely exactly like the leaves I collected last fall when hubby and I escaped the world for a bit. As for the second card, the EF was such a great idea so the toucan can rest among the branches of leaves. Love the shimmer! Thanks for joining us for Color Week at Just Us Girls! Take care and hope things are well!

Mac Mable said...

Your brayering looks fabulous Darnell and thank you for the tip about polishing up the glossy paper after using the oxide inks. Both cards are wonderfully Autumnal in colour and both striking in design x.

Lynette said...

That looks really fun, Darnell. I'll have to give it a try. I know that I have some glossy cardstock somewhere. Your cards turned out wonderfully!

Liz said...

Your brayering looks fabulous Darnell, I wish mine turned out like that. Two wonderful cards, I especially love the effect of the embossing. xx

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are both beautiful, Darnell xoxo

conil said...

Flawless brayering...Hee Haw! Those backgrounds are gorgeous...lovin' the burlap stacked "hello" and that gorgeous bold toucan. Isn't it nice that Autumnal and Tropical themes go together so well.

Fikreta said...

Wonderful cards!

Tracey McNeely said...

Your brayered backgrounds look fantastic. I am new to brayering but so far have been using the brayer along with a gel press. Fun to do!

R's Rue said...

Beautiful. Both of them. Have a wonderful day friend.

Cindy Beach said...

Amazing brayered cards, Darnell! Love both of them! That fabric hello steals the show!

Loll said...

You are brayering like a pro, Dolly! Two beautiful backgrounds in the scrumptious Autumn colours. I'm so happy you tried brayering again and love it. It does give the most beautiful backgrounds. You have added a twist with embossing the second card ... what a great idea! And I LOVE the stacked burlap sentiment on your first card ... so creative and what amazing texture! Love, Lolly

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

I LOVE your happy cards and happy post Darnell. Just what I needed.
Faith x

Sandra H said...

Two beautiful cards Darnell the backgrounds are absolutely stunning as are the autumn colours too xx

cuilliesocks said...

Brayering is a technique I've not done in years, but your cards with those brayered backgrounds are fabulous, I love the Autumnal colours and designs, Kate x

Redanne said...

Your brayering results are superb! I really love the autumnal colours, the leaf is beautiful and I just adore the silhouetted toucan - his eyes are such fun. So much gorgeous colour and wonderful textures on both cards!

Hope all is well you you. Lots of love, Annie xxx

meg said...

Your background colours are simply stunning,thank you for joining in at the Alphabet Challenge

Deborah Wheeler said...

Beautiful card. your colours are gorgeous and I love the leaf on your 'onefer'. Thanks for joining us at The Alphabet Challenge. Deborah DT

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Wow, such beautiful brayered backgrounds, I have never tried,thanks for the inspirations! Both your cards are so striking and love that elegant leaf!

Lisa Elton said...

Hee Haw these are fabulous, Darnell!

Bonnie said...

Wonderful texture and shine in that first card, Dolly! Nice smooth braying! The silhouetted toucan looks so elegant against the brayed and embossed leaves! You've really embraced this technique, my friend!

Cat Craig said...

Loving these brayered backgrounds, Darnell. I have a box of those su brayers...you might have inspired me to pull em out.

Brenda said...

Wow, I love the blends you got with the brayer Auntie! Both cards look amazing and I love that color combo. Who knew you could shine up the glossy photo paper once again with a soft cloth, now we know. lol I sure didn't! I haven't blended inks with a brayer since the 90's! Sounds like I need to try it again. lol Hugs, Brenda

Susan said...

Beautiful autumnal colours, Darnell! Your brayering looks fabulous (so sorry I missed the Zoom get together - I'm going to make myself do some brayering to make up for it!).

Karenladd said...

After seeing these brayered backgrounds and cards, I am tempted to dig out my own brayer and wipe off the thick layer of dust that I'm sure it's accumulated over the past several years. I recently found my old Kaleidacolor ink pads that work wonderfully with a brayer...so this post came at the right time.
LOVE the beautiful fall leaf design with that extra burlap texture, and the google eyed black toucan has me laughing loud enough to wake up the dog in the other room. So fun!

Bunny said...

I've tried braying. Mine come out more like the mule's end. These are both beautiful [Bunny]

Leslie Miller said...

Holy cow, eight layers? But the texture is fabulous, and the burlap... wow! Your brayering looks amazing on both cards, and the gloss is fabulous. The toucan is very cool! I love ink blending on glossy paper and then buffing out to a beautiful shine, but my brayering has never looked this smooth and perfect. Good luck with your Christmas cards. I'm way behind in production and I don't have nearly as many to make as you do!

HilaryJane said...

Wow, you have made me want to give that a go, your results are fabulous xx

Cheryl W. said...

Those brayered backgrounds are beautiful! (Don't you love that alliteration?) I'm going to give it a try. I happen to have an old brayer and some glossy paper. If it wasn't nearly bedtime, I'd run right to my creaft room and do it now. Love the leaf and the toucan, too. Toucans became my favorite birds after seeing some in the wild in Nicaragua.

TK said...

So, so gorgeous -- those backgrounds are wonderful in your fall colors, though I've never heard of a sponge brayer. Your layers are fun, as are the cards!

Donna said...

Your brayering and cards are so striking Darnell, and embossed the brayering is extra striking. The leaf and its dimension is great!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Those are beautiful cards using the brayer. I love the wonderful colors and images added to them as well.

Izzy Scrap said...

Two gorgeous cards, Darnell. Now you make me want to try Oxide inks on glossy paper with my brayer ! Love the finished glossy look of these two panels, they are just perfect to highlight either the beautiful leaf and the toucan silhouette. I never thought about die cutting burlap, and I really love how it looks. So thanks so much for sharing these two beauties and for playing along at ATSM.

Vicky Hayes said...

Fabulous shiny backgrounds Darnell and beautiful cards made with them! The first shows off that gorgeous leaf to perfection and the second is so inspiring I really MUST invest in some EFs!! Love Mr Toucan and his beady eye and what a great sentiment too. Vicky x

Vikki H said...

I'm late but still wanted to add my kudos for your glowing cards! Thanks for a delightful look at your steps. Happy Fall!

kiwimeskreations said...

Hi Darnell - super late this week, but I have a good excuse - I was in hospital with a lung infection - home and well on the mend now, thankfully.
What fabulous brayer-ing - I tried, years ago, and, well, I'll just say I was not successful.
Love the shine on the polished paper - did Hammy try sliding on the slick surface to help polish?
Wonderful cards, and the toucan in silhouette is stunning - loving it
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Vicky Hayes said...

Me again Darnell... I wanted to thank you for coming to share your beautiful leaf card at Addicted to CAS :) Vicky x

Christine Alexander said...

Beautiful brayering Darnell, I'm so sad I missed it. I need to pull brayer out and give this a go:)

Fran Wing said...

HA, Darnell! I was wondering how that background got so shiny! It's a beautiful card and we thank you for sharing it with us at Addicted to CAS. xoxo Fran

Craftychris said...

Super gorgeous brayered backgrounds which you have turned into the most wonderful cards! Fab autumnal leaf on the first and I adore the shiny toucan on the wonderful embossed background for the second. As usual your puns make me giggle! Take care. Hugs my friend. xxxxxxx

Ros Crawford said...

Well I never knew that about brayering on glossy paper... Stunning cards Darnell... I gotta try that!

Barb Ghig said...

That is one gorgeous leaf, Darnell! I'm so impressed with all the texture you created with your brayer and the dimension on your sentiment is amazing...WOW! Beautiful background for your toucan, too...you have really inspired me today...Thank you!
And, thanks so much for playing along with us at Addicted to CAS! xx

Kara Lynne said...

Your backgrounds are gorgeous, Darnell! How fun to rediscover a once disregarded technique and find that you love it! I love that you can buff in the shine. The leaf and silhouette toucan look amazing with the backgrounds for a both a fall and tropical card.

foleysfriend said...

Loving the shine of your brayered backgrounds. Thank you for sharing how you created them. Guess I'll be digging out my brayer and my oxides next week! The colours your chose are perfect for an autumnal card. I love the textured sentiment! Thanks for joining us at Addicted to CAS.

sue n.

frommycraftroom said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Love the brayer backgrounds.

Dawn Phillips said...

I love the way your leaf stars on the beautiful autumn card. Thanks for joining us at the Alphabet Challenge. Love Dawn x

Donna said...

I don' know how I missed seeing these cards but gosh they're beautiful! That background is so pretty! I may have to try that blayer!