The last week has just been so hectic at work. I am still trying to meet deadlines but managed to find a little time each day to finish the cutting, stamping and embossing the stamped sentiment. I am so pleased with the end result. I ended up using the leftover strip of paper from my marbled papers for another 100 bookmarks. I managed to laminate the long strips of paper mounted on stiff cardstock today. Will post the photo tomorrow.
I tried to get photos of the stamped marbled papers but the lighting wasn't bright enough for a good shot. The second photo shows most of the stamped pieces spread out on the big round table I was working on. I still had a stack left after covering the table for the shot. =)
I sprayed the papers after they dried from the marbling process with homemade glimmer sprays. I used a mixture of gum arabic, rubbing alcohol and water to make the base of the spray. For the metallic element of the spray, I used a variety of pigments - mica and loose eyeshadows. The mica particles are larger and show up better compared to the loose metallic eyeshadows. I still need to play around with the proportion of gum arabic to the alcohol and water mixture. Some of the glittery particles still rub off when I handled the papers.
This photo shows how the marbled paper looks like it was done using the glimmer papers. What a cool effect. I will definitely be experimenting more with coloured mica pigments. So far, I have mainly experimented with the metallic ones - silver, gold and copper.
Here's a close up of the paper with the glimmer and heat embossed details. I started the assembly of the bookmarks today. Ran out of adhesives and had to go to the shop for more in the evening. I shall have to finish the assembly by tomorrow though, as I intend to have them ready the day after. I still have to punch holes, set eyelets and tie yarn or ribbon through the bookmarks.
I have also completed a set of cards with very cute bear images that I coloured a few weeks ago. Will post the photos once I decide on the sentiment to go with the cards.
I have finally decided (somewhat =p) that my bookmark will have one side decorated with marbled papers and a stamped quotation. I have yet to decide what the other side will look like though. I was considering stamping a bear or a cute hedgehog from penny black on the back and colour the image. If I do that, there will be about 200 images to colour. That would take up quite some time, which I sorely lack. I am a little behind time on my work schedule and hopefully I can finish making all the marbled papers I need. I figured I will need about 70 sheets of the papers to cut into 200 bookmarks.
The size of the bookmark is bugging me somewhat. I would like it to be a quarter of an inch slimmer but that would mean stamping very close to the edge of the paper. I hate fiddling with the stamp positioner for 200 pieces of stamping, so it might be a hit and miss for some sheets unless I come up with some bright ideas on how to stamp right where I want with a very narrow margin. Anyone with suggestions?
