I am absolutely enjoying the Art Journal classes I have been teaching since the start of this year at Scraptivate. Truly being able to combine scrapbook products with various mediums, paints, sprays, chipboard ... my love of stitching and fabric - I mean, does it get better than this? And all the while being able to pour my little heart out with my journalling, or even sometimes just in my head whilst creating the piece. I love it. If you haven't tried art journalling before I urge you to give it a go - much cheaper than therapy and hugely beneficial!
So on Saturday I taught an AJ class using UTEE ... Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel. If you love texture, as I do, you will love this stuff.


The chipboard letters above (which by the way are from Scrapware) have been first painted using my new Adirondack Paint Dabbers. I then covered the chipboard with embossing ink, just direct from the ink pad on to the chipboard. While the ink is wet, I covered the piece with clear UTEE. The piece is then heated using a heat gun and the UTEE melts creating a high gloss finish. While the UTEE is still hot (and "molten") add another layer of UTEE powder and heat again. I like to do three layers of UTEE. After the final layer, while the UTEE is still hot, press a rubber stamp into it and hold still for a few seconds. When you remove the stamp, it will have left an impression creating awesome texture in the chipboard. This can be highlighted further using metallic waxes (such as Rub n Buff). Pretty cool hey!
I used this technique on the Scrapware word ART. With the word Family (also by Scrapware) I have done three layers of UTEE but not actually stamped in to them. the pieces are then stitched to a piece of patterned paper using a sewing machine. Yes, you can sew through chipboard with your machine using a denim or fairly heavy duty needle!
Here is another page using the same UTEE technique on the sides of the page:



All of the products used to create these pages are available at Scraptivate. Click here for more information about my Art Journal classes!
Happy creating
Natalie xx