Textured Aperture Card with Crackle Paste and Heat Embossing

A project from our live show CREATE AND CRAFT - Join Carley Duff for her brand new IMALA 22 Launch show 1 - Broadcast 4th OCT 22 · 04/10/2022 · watch it from 10:30

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Create a stunning layered aperture card featuring a delicate reindeer design with beautiful textured effects. Using crackle paste applied through stencils and heat-embossed with metallic powders, you'll achieve a dimensional mosaic-like finish in soft blues and metallics. This elegant card combines die-cutting, stencilling and heat embossing techniques for a truly special handmade greeting.

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Step by step

1. 

   Die-cut two apertures of different sizes from your white card base using the decorative frame dies from the crystal Christmas die set. Position a smaller aperture at the top left and a larger heart-shaped aperture in the centre right of your card front.

   ▶ watch this step (10:30)
2. 

   Back the floral patterned card with another sheet of cardstock to create a sturdy 400 GSM base. This provides strength when adding wet mediums like crackle paste.

   ▶ watch this step (10:45)
3. 

   Position a stencil over the aperture area on your card. Using a palette knife, apply white crackle paste through the stencil, working over a bin to catch any excess.

   ▶ watch this step (11:00)
4. 

   Allow the crackle paste to dry naturally. As it dries, it will begin to crack and create dimensional texture on the surface of your card.

   ▶ watch this step (11:30)
5. 

   Sprinkle translucent embossing powder over the wet crackle paste whilst it is still damp so it adheres to the stencilled design. Ensure good coverage across all the paste areas.

   ▶ watch this step (14:00)
6. 

   Sprinkle a hint of pink embossing powder (such as Himalayan musk) over the textured areas to add subtle colour that complements the design without covering it completely.

   ▶ watch this step (14:15)
7. 

   Use a heat tool to heat-set the embossing powder, moving it over the design until the powder melts and the crackle effect becomes prominent. Continue heating until the texture is fully developed across the snowflakes and decorative elements.

   ▶ watch this step (15:00)
8. 

   Mount the completed aperture piece onto a black cardstock base to create definition and contrast around the edges of your design.

   ▶ watch this step (15:30)

Tips from the show

• Ensure stencil slots are clear of paste by pushing a tool through them and rinsing in water.
• Use 350 micron thick stencils for extra dimension when applying texture paste.
• You can flip the stencil to reverse the design direction depending on your layout needs.

More from this show

• Kinetic Spinning Aperture Card with Layered Elements
• Watercolour Painted Stamp Portrait with Blended Colours
• Wet-on-Wet Watercolour Background with Random Stamped Dots
• Layered Stamp Masking Technique for Scene Building
• Ink Blending and Watercolour Wash Technique on Stamped Image

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly