Inked & Embossed Aluminum Foil

The April Challenge Theme at the Crafter's Companion Blog is … Flowers.  I'm going to show you how I created a fun inky background using Aluminum Foil from my kitchen … I never know where I'll find my next art project inspiration.

I started with a scrap of white cardstock.  Make sure it's about 1/4 to 1/2" smaller than the surface of your embossing folder, since you won't be able to trim after you emboss (she says because she learned the hard way).  Next, I wrapped it in a piece of aluminum foil.

This is what the front looked like when I was done.  Don't worry about any creases or imperfections … they'll be covered by the ink & embossing.

I inked-up a piece of felt with several reinkers (see supply list below) and started tamping on the foil covered paper.

Here's a shot of my foam applicator … I just apply dots randomly.

This is what the foil looked like when it was completely covered in ink.

Next I ran the foil through my cuttlebug with the embossing folder.  I applied a little blender solution to a dry baby wipe and wiped along the lines of the folder to randomly remove some of the ink to get a bit more variation in color.

I attached the panel to the front of my card base using strong two-sided tape.

The great think about using your Spectrum Noir inks to create your background is that I was able to use coordinating Spectrum Noir Markers to color several flowers from Sheena's Flower Power Set.  

After coloring, I gave them a spray of Spray & Sparkle Iridescent Glitter Varnish for an all-over sparkle  I also stamped and colored the leaves from the set and then detail cut every thing.  I layered the flowers and leaves with dimensional blue dots and added a few adhesive pearls to the center.  This angle lets you see a little of the sparkle on the blooms.

 

Here's the front of the card again at an angle, so you can see the variation in ink intensity on the embossed foil.

And one more shot of that pretty bloom.

Here are links to the supplies I used for this project: Darice Embossing Folder – Wire Fence; BP6, PP5 & Blender Re-inkers; Sheena's A Little Bit Sketchy – Flower Power; Sheena's A Little Bit Sketchy – Through the Rain; Spray & Sparkle Iridescent Glitter Varnish; Alcohol Ink Blending Felt; and Spectrum Noir Markers.

And the markers I used to color the flowers & leaves:

Let me know if you give this technique a try.