Aloha, all!
One of the most recent challenges for my SUDSOL online Stampin' Up! Demonstrator groups was to use the technique called Fossil Stone. I had never done this before, and I can tell you right away that I'll definitely be doing it again – and again, and again!
In fact, this will be one of my first technique classes for my fall series of Techniques classes that will begin in September. I can hardly wait to show it off! While I can give you the instructions here for it, I learned so much from trying it out myself that you'll really want to take this class from me if you're on the east side of Hawaii's Big Island in September!
Here's the card that I made, using Perfect Plum and Concord Crush Classic Ink Pads, overstamping the background with a stamp from the new set, Just Believe. I definitely think that the overall effect is stunning! The sentiment on the card was stamped on a left over piece of matching inked card stock, then cut out and mounted on the front of the card with Stampin' Dimensionals. The finishing touch was the Whisper White Organza Ribbon. Lovely, if I say so myself (oh, I guess I just did!)
The basic instructions are pretty simple: You will need two pieces of plain acetate and two Stampin' Up! Classic Stamp Pads. Use one light color and at least several tones darker. You'll also need two 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" pieces of Glossy Whisper White Card Stock and a brayer. Begin by using the lighter stamp pad to ink an area on one piece of acetate, making sure that the area covered with ink is larger than a piece of the card stock. Then ink over that in a random motion with the darker stamp pad. Place the second piece of acetate on the top of the first and rub over the inked area with a brayer. You'll get some air pockets, but that will form a lovely part of the final image. Remove the top layer of acetate and set it aside ink side up. Place one piece of the glossy card stock on the first piece of acetate, glossly side down (or facing the ink). Place the second piece of card stock glossly side UP on top of the first piece. Finally, place the inked side of the second piece of acetate on top of the second piece of card stock. Again use your brayer to press evenly over the acetate-card stock sandwich. Remove the acetate and carefully pick up the top piece of card stock and set it aside, inked side up, to dry. Remove the other piece of card stock and set it aside to dry also. You can wash the acetate and reuse it many times. Note that, if you use transparency acetate for this project, you will have to wash off the coating while you are washing off the ink.
Try it out yourself! Or sign up for my September 18 (Saturday) or September 20 (Monday) class!
