You may not believe this, but when I opened my jar of Shimmer Embossing Paste, it was completely dried out. Yes, a very crumbly chunky powder greeted me when I lifted that secured lid.
I had kept the foam circular insert inside the jar lid. And the cap was screwed on tight. Still, I discovered that this paste was a desert inside. Not at all what I had in mind to showcase during my Make It Monday live card demo. I needed paste in a couple hours time…
Shimmer Paste Quick Fix
After a bit of online research, I determined I had 2 options for my dry Shimmer Paste. First: I could throw it away and order more. Or, Second: I could attempt a fix. At this point, I didn’t really have much to lose!
I took my jar of paste into the bathroom along with the largest palette knife. Using the knife, I scored thru the middle of the dry paste, sawing away til I reached the bottom of the jar. Next, I added a little water and started to work it in.
Slowly, my paste started to come back to life. I found that the key was to continue to add small amounts of water and work it into the paste well before adding in more. When I had a good size of decent paste in the middle of my jar, I stopped.
Playing with the sparkly paste and the poppies was a lot of fun. The Shimmer Paste dried quickly, and although the paper bowed up for a short while, it relaxed flat for use. The effect is quite charming. In fact, I think this great technique could be used on any flowers that are stamped. And why stop at flowers? Let your imagination run wild.
Poppies In Color
Did you know that the Painted Poppies Stamp Set has been around since January of 2020? If you have this stamp set and coordinating dies, try this new way to use them! One of my favorite things to do is create the same design, but switch up the colors.
Looking for more details on how I used the Shimmer Embossing Paste? Check out my card making video here, where I dish info as I go. And join my cardmaking community, Positive PaperCrafters, on FaceBook. My Tuesday Tool Tip showcased how I plan to keep my paste from drying out in the future. Hope to see you there!
Basic Pattern Decorative Masks (item #150697) come in a set of 4 masks, sized 6 x 6″ each. They are thin and pliable, plastic in nature and easily cleaned. The enclosed insert lists 5 different methods you can use when you create with these decorative masks: spritz, sponge, trace, emboss and texture.
Masks are not new to the Stampin’ Up! world. In fact, there have been several different package assortments thru the years, as my drawer is full of them! The variety in the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks is wonderful, and this set has something for everyone.
Part I in my mini series on Decorative Masks is focused on the Dot Mask, and creating a textured background. But really, you could create a textured background with any mask! Let me share some insight on Embossing Paste.
Embossing Paste For Texture
The Stampin’ Up! Embossing Paste currently comes in 2 varieties: Shimmery White (item #145645) and White (item #141979). The paste can be dyed with Classic Stampin’ Ink Refills, and used on cardstock, fabric or other materials.
It was first introduced in 2017, and like all new things, I had to try it out. Important lessons:
*Each time you use it, you will need to stir it up. The Palette Knives (item #142808) are so handy when using the paste, but a popsicle stick or plastic knife would work too. Think of the paste as spackle: apply liberally to fill in the cracks, and then swipe off the excess, putting it back in the jar.
*The paste will dry out very quickly. Keep it covered securely. You may want to add wax paper, saran wrap or aluminum foil over the top of the paste before you screw the lid shut tightly. I did not, and had a jar dry out long before it was even half used up. Adding water to try to re-hydrate did not work.
*The paste needs to be cleaned off your mask immediately after use. You may find that even then, it will leave a white residue film. This after-effect will not harm the mask in any way or cause issues with use. But, your mask will look used. You can use a baby wipe, and follow up with a water rinse and air dry. The mask can also be cleaned with dish soap and water.
Set Up For Texture Success
Using the Embossing Paste with Decorative Masks is really easy. Like anything, practice helps. I recommend securing your paper and mask whenever possible to avoid shifting mid-work.
Keep the foam insert from your jar (seen above in jar lid) as an added barrier against dried out paste.
I took advantage of a Tombow Removable Adhesive Tape Runner, and secured my cardstock to my graph paper. This kind of tape runner allows temporary holds, and is easily removed without tearing or residue. In fact, when I rub my finger across the removable adhesive, it crumbles away like pencil erasing. Only a very small amount is needed here.
Next, I secured the Basic Pattern Decorative Mask Dot design in the exact position I wanted it to be. This time I used Painters Tape to hold the mask down. I made sure I did not cover my cardstock with the tape.
Time to spackle! I used my Pallet Knife to add the Shimmery White Embossing Paste over the Decorative Mask. It plops on and spreads like frosting. Be sure to wipe off the excess after every area you want to cover has enough paste in the stencil holes.
When I removed the Decorative Mask, this was my result! You can see in my finished piece that more could have been added in certain areas. I did not fully add Embossing Paste to every dot, with the intention of using only part of the created image for my project. This look is also artistic, with its partial effect.
The Embossing Paste dries very quickly on the project, so I did not use any heat (from my Heat Tool, item #129053) also used for heat embossing) to speed it along. It remains quite solid once it is completely dry, and will not fall apart with inquiring fingers. The Shimmer White Embossing Paste looks like glitter paper as the light hits it.
This Calls For Confetti!
The Shimmer Embossing Paste had a greenish tint when wet on the Basic Black CS, so I decided to use Bermuda Bay and Pool Party as the card’s coordinating colors. But don’t worry, when dry it appears glittery white!
First, I die cut a stitched rectangle from a piece of Pool Party CS, to provide a cut-away over my textured embossed piece. Next, I stamped it with the Drybrush Background Stamp (item #152599) and Pool Party Ink.
I thought the shimmery dots looked like a happy celebration, so I chose the sentiment “this calls for confetti” from the So Sentimental Stamp Set (item #151691). I used the Stitched So Sweetly Dies (item #151690), which can be combined with the stamp set for a bundle and 10% savings (item #153828).
When I was working on this card, I tried different combinations of die cuts and colors, as can be seen above (along with the Pool Party cut-away). In the end, I chose a Pool Party oval (and sponged the edges in Pool Party Ink to deepen the color), a Whisper White Stitched Rectangle backer, and heat embossed the sentiment with White Embossing Powder on Basic Black CS.
Glitz It Up!
To make this card stand out, I added dimensionals beneath the Pool Party cut-away layer before placing it over the textured embossed cardstock. Next, I die cut the swirly spray in Whisper White, from the Stitched Stars Dies (item #150653), which is perfect for any celebrational card. I taped this to the back of my sentiment piece using regular scotch tape.
I really wanted to use both the Glittered Organdy Ribbon (item #147897) and the 3/8″ Sheer Ribbon in Pool Party (item #152462). In the end, only the Black Glittered Ribbon made it onto my card. The Sheer Pool Party Ribbon was so light it just disappeared on the card front.
Decorative Mask Delight
You can see that making this card with the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks was pretty simple, and stylish fun! Next time you visit my online store, https:juliemakson.stampinup.net, be sure to add the masks and some Embossing Paste to your shopping cart.
Creating raised texture is a great way to use those masks! Come back to see even more fantastic options for the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks over the course of my on-going 4 part mini-series. The possibilities will enthrall you!
