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!

March 28, 2023

Dry-Embossed Gilding Flakes

Hello Stamplings!

I hope you had a great weekend as March is rapidly winding down!

I'm here for my monthly Group of Seven Cardmakers post. At our crafty Zoom session earlier this month, we played with gilding flakes, embossing folders, and Stazon ink. I have lots to share ...

This technique involves covering a surface with double-sided tape (or some other adherable product) and applying the gilding flakes. I used a Scrapbook.com double-sided 8.5 x 11 adhesive sheet and covered most of it with the gilding flakes. That gave me enough coverage to cut a full card front panel and two other partial panels to make the cards shown below ~ and to still have some left over for more cards. After burnishing the flakes and dry-embossing, you lightly run your Stazon ink pad over the panel. 

A. Onefer
I used Cosmic Shimmer Warm Sunrise gilding flakes. This was my first time using gilding flakes because I'm normally more of a clean and simple card maker who already has a lot of other products, if you know what I mean. But that's the nice thing about getting to know and play with these other talented card artists who enjoy a different style of design. It stretches my creativity.

Everyone warned me to be very careful, even just opening the jar, so first I put Hammy in his play space in the Big House. (Enough said about the hamster havoc that would have happened if I hadn't!) I was very careful opening the jar and then I took out a small amount of flakes and put them in a bigger plastic container to minimize the wafting and whirling.

All went well, but just as I was nearly finished covering the large card front panel with the pieces of gilding flakes, my defibrillator went off! I'm okay, it was just a two-hour interruption going to the ER. No, stop it, I'm just kidding, but when people tell you not to breathe while working with gilding flakes, they don't mean it literally. (💡A great use for left-over Covid masks!😷) 

B. Twofer
For this card, only the center panel is gilded, embossed, and inked. For the card base, I used the same e/f to emboss a piece of copper cardstock. Then I embossed a piece of black cardstock using the same e/f and die-cut the frame so everything is matchy-matchy.

I noticed that my black Stazon pad was juicy, so my finished gilded panel was somewhat sticky. So, just for fun, I flipped it over onto a piece of white cardstock to see if I could make a monoprint and it worked! It did take a lot of the black off my gilded panel, but I like the brighter, less moody, result. Here is the bonus card I made for my stash using the monoprint:
C. Threefer
Because the Stazon pad was a bit juicy, I decided to try Archival plum ink for the above gilded flake strip. I like the color a lot, but it, too, left a sticky residue, so I did another monoprint and made this CAS card:
Note: After I finished my cards, I was concerned about how I would be able to send them, sticky, in the mail. I could get them into an envelope, but how would the recipient get them out without damage because the sticky bits would stick to the envelope? So I messed around and found that if I stuck more of the gilding flakes over the sticky bits, the sticky bits went away! Hala Luya! 

I ended up really loving the gilding flakes! If I took my time and was careful, it wasn't as messy as I envisioned. I'm not sure if I will add the ink over the embossing in the future, but I certainly will make more cards using the flakes alone or by using the flakes and then dry-embossing.

On the Group of Seven Cardmakers website you will find the technique details, video links, and the fabulous results from the other ladies! I hope you'll give this technique a try and link your results in the gallery. We'd love to see how well it worked for you! 

Challenges

Card B: Rudolf Days (A/G Christmas); ABC Christmas (G is for Gold).
Card C: Just Us Girls (CAS); Krafty Chicks (All Occasions).

~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and thank you for your condolences for my brother. Mwah!

*Life is too short!

47 comments:

cuilliesocks said...

What beautiful cards Darnell, I love the embossing and the gorgeous gilding flakes, give a wonderful rich and elegant look, Kate x

Julia Aston said...

I had some sticky issues as well Sis, with the StazOn - and ended up using a regular black die ink - maybe the flakes are a plastic of somekind and the ink can't dry on it? Others have used the StazOn and it seemed to dry for them - anyhoo! Your first card background looks a lot like mine - love the mix of colors and the great flourish design of your EF. Your second card has a less deep embossing and looks so pretty with the two embossed framings behind it! Your third card is lovely with the half panel of gold card next to the panel - and what a creative idea to 'stamp' off your panel to get another panel for a card! Julia xx

Diane said...

WOW, all the cards are awesome!! So pretty with the shimmer of the gilding flakes, I make a huge mess when I use them but normally when done I like what I did (minus the mess),yours are very well done!!

Thank you for joining our challenge at Can You Handle The Pressure!
Diane CYHTP Co-Owner
{Nellies Nest}
{Can You Handle The Pressure}
{Stencil Fun}

Christine Alexander said...

wow, what a great collection of cards with pulling the sticky stazon off the surface. This was a fun technique and glad you kept Hammy out of gilding flake mischief :)

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Wow Darnell, your experiments with gilding flakes and inks are awesome!!! And you achieved to have also bonus cards with monoprints! :) I have never tried gilding flakes, they really add gorgeousness to the embossing! Love especially the first one with that interesting vintage feel.
Hugs

Cheryl W. said...

What a parade of awesome cards! I love the rich look of the gilding flakes. I've thought about trying them, but have never taken the plunge. Given your amazing results, I may just have to give it a try. Hmmmm, wonder if they're on sale somewhere.

Karen said...

These cards are wonderful! I think I must have some gilding flakes somewhere. They'd have to be years old! Thanks for sharing the process.

Lisa Elton said...

So much prettiness, Darnell! Great job with this technique!

Melanie Hungerford said...

Such beautiful cards, and really a fun technique, the Stazon adds such a nice effect. Thank you for joining us at the Can You Handle the Pressure!

kiwimeskreations said...

Awww - poor Hammy, put into iso-la-shun in the big house :(
Loving your results Darnell - especially that you took monoprints off the 'sticky' inky ones - wonderful work
Blessings
Maxine

TK said...

Beautiful and great results, Darnell! And thanks for all the extra little tips, as I know many of us would need them. So here's to another product to put on "my list"!!!

nancy littrell said...

TFS your beautiful gilded flakes cards and how you fixed the sticky issue from your black Stazon ink on the gilded flake images by getting a beautiful monoprint card on one and clever fix by adding more flakes for your 2nd card. It is great reading all the GO7Cardmakers trial and error fixes on all your beautiful cards:-) I can't wait to try the technique. Yesterday I made 5 backgrounds for future Christmas cards using last months awesome debossed technique:-) Loving your technique blog with 7 very talented friends...Thank you, Thank you to you all...Love and Hugs...Nancy

Cathy said...

Looks like a lot of fun Darnell! love the results and TFS the tips about the Stazon ink. Thankyou too for joining in at Seize the Birthday, Cathy x

Sue VanDeVusse said...

I love what you have done with those gilding flakes! All of your cards turned out beautifully! So glad you shared with us at JUGS! Now off to pull out my gilding flakes and give this technique a try!

Aquarius said...

A great selection of cards using your gilding flake results.

Carole said...

These are lovely cards Darnell. I have pots of gilding flakes so many years old!! and I have never thought to emboss them...every day is a school day as they say. xx

Carol L said...

I guess I live in a cave somewhere because I've never heard of gilding flakes or how to use them but today this is the 3rd blog post I've read where crafters have used them. I love everything here, and the monoprints you created as well. The results are so beautiful and I may be persuaded to give them a try one day soon :)

My Paper Epiphany said...

Such beautiful card! I love the rich colours and texture!
Sorry I haven't visited in ages. I've only been keeping up with my DT posts. Hugs x

Pat said...

Three fabulous cards using the gilding flakes with the pretty embossing folders Darnell, and the added ink is a great idea to enhance and bring out the pattern too, and I love your two cards using pieces of card on which you made an impression from the inky surface which have both worked brilliantly. x

Jeanne said...

Beautiful cards and how neat you were able to get those mono prints as well. So glad you weren't harmed in the creation of these beauties! ;)

Marcia Hill said...

FABULOUS cards Darnell...love them all! And sure glad you didn't really end up in the ER! Crafting is serious business, but not that serious!! Haha!! Hugs. :0)

Jenny L said...

Hi Darnell,
Happy Rudolf Days.
Your cards are all excellent and so luxurious looking with that lovely technique.
Love the embossing folders used and all the wonderful sentiments.
Thank you so much for my wonderful Birthday card.
Thank you for joining the Rudolf Challenge.
Lots of crafty love and hugs from my house to yours. Jenny L. DT

Lynette said...

Your cards are beautiful, Darnell, and it was a brilliant idea to used the inked up pieces as a stamp!! They are all wonderful.

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Glad you expanded your stash with the gilding flakes, Darnell - such beautiful results you achieved!! And how fun to get the leafy print bonus!!

Debbie said...

I love gilding flakes, but don't use them enough. I'm now inspired to get them out! Thanks

Bonnie said...

What a great idea to do a monoprint from the juicy inking, Dolly! You got such crisp images! Love the gilded embossed panels on the metallic cardstock! Such an elegant look! Isn't it great to get so many cards from this one process? Don't forget to breathe, my friend.

Sandra H said...

Beautiful Darnell as always l like the embossing so effective your tips are always welcoming xx

Loll said...

Great work with the gilding flakes Dolly!! I LOVE all three of your gilded cards and the two monoprints you got from the sticky stazon/archival inks. So crazy that it was that sticky. I thought there was a bit, but didn't really notice. :) I love the look of gilding flakes. They are so beautiful and a little goes a long way. xx

Cat Craig said...

Such a cool technique, and your cards are gorgeous.

HilaryJane said...

I always know we can rely on you to tell it how it is. So thanks for explaining your experience with embossing flakes. They definitely can be a challenge, I think I have only used mine on a few occasions. Thanks for the tip re the ink too. Your finished cards are all really special and I love the bonus ones too xx

Bonnie Lynn said...

Wow Darnell!!! I've never used gilded flakes but now I'm wondering if I should give it a try although my cats will probably love playing in it. All of your cards are gorgeous!

Carol said...

Darell, I am such a copper fan and your threefer card is right up my alley! Your gilded/embossed/coppery/shimmery descriptions were as fun to read as looking at these beautiful cards!!!!! The stop breathing/defibrillator part got me...very funny! Thanks so much for sharing these beauties with us at JUGS this week!

Ina G said...

Oh Darnell these are all sensational. I love working with gilding flakes and will be trying out this technique real real soon. Thanks bunches for sharing them all with us at JUGS this week. I bet Hammy didn't like missing out on the flake fun!

Stamps and Paper said...

Beautiful cards Darnell...the gold flakes on the embossing gives them a really rich look...perhaps I ought to blow the dust off my filding flakes...

Anne

Linby said...

I love using gilding flakes. You could try putting them behind acetate too with stamping. A face mask probably is a good idea!
These are all stunning cards and I have never inked over gilding flakes so maybe I need to try that too.

Nancy said...

Darnell, I have a giant jar of these fun little flakes and have barely put a dent in them. They are fun even if a wee bit messy. All your cards turned out so well. I am going to have to remember to do this technique for a Christmas card, what a wonderful idea! I appreciate you joining us at both Seize the Birthday and Just Us Girls. Take care! Looks like the rain has stopped for now! YAY!

Bobby said...

I spent so much time chuckling at your commentary I hardly noticed the cards at first, Darnell. But once I did I concentrated on them immensely because each and every one is a masterpiece. And then to get the monoprint cards too. You really had a productive day, my friend. Oh to have some flakes to work with myself.

Lynda said...

What absolutely glorious cards - such a great technique. Thank you so much for sharing and joining us at ABC Christmas Challenge xx Lynda/Loopyloo DT

Leslie Miller said...

Even if it was just the embossing I'd love it, but add the gilding flakes and the ink and it gets yet more interesting. Not only that, but you got a monoprint to boot! I'm sorry about your defibrillator going off. I've heard it can be quite a shock. The mask is a super good idea.

Brenda in IN said...

You got such a smooth look with your gilding flakes. The embossed card shows off the colors of gilding flakes so well and is beautiful. I like the soft look of the second card. That is a lovely embossing folder and the monoprint is awesome. What a great idea to do that.

JoAnn said...

Wow, your cards are all beautiful. You did a great job with this technique - I love them all. Haven't tried it yet but I am going to. Thanks for the inspiration. Also, thanks for sharing your birthday card with us at Seize the Birthday.

Wendy said...

All of these cards are so beautiful! I’ve never used gilding flakes, but your results are just stunning, so I might have to go shopping. Thank your for sharing and playing along with ABC Christmas Challenge ~ Wendy

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Such a beautiful collection of cards Darnell. Especially the Rudolph Days card which is why i'm here. Thank you for joining in the fun at Rudolph Days this month.

Sue xx

scrappymo! said...

Your finished up gilding flake work looks superb! Love each and every one of these beautiful cards.
Thanks for taking part in the Rudolph Days Challenge.

Papercraft Boutique said...

Gorgeous dry-embossed gilding flakes cards, Darnell! The shine, the design, and the mix of colors are just so beautiful! What a great idea to make monoprints as a solution to the sticky inky surface issue! I'm sure Hammy was eyeing your Cosmic Shimmer jar full of something fluffy. ;-)
Hideko xx

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are all gorgeous, Darnell xoxo

frommycraftroom said...

Beautiful cards. Gilding flakes are one of the products I haven't added to my stash! they give great results