Technique Tutorial Faux Leather "A Post A Day" November

I thought I'd break up my card posting with this tutorial I posted yesterday on Stampin' Addicts ....Tuesday is the technique challenge on SA, and this week's challenge (Tech33) is Faux Leather. Click here to see the challenge and upload a card to Stampin' Addicts!

Materials: masking tape, sponges, Very Vanilla Craft Ink, Clear Embossing Powder

Method: You may have seen this technique before with the brown lines around the tape. I hope this doesn't sound offensive, but when brown or dark leather cracks, it cracks to a lighter color rather than dark. (It does darken when oils are applied/contact it of course.) My variation of the typical faux leather includes Very Vanilla Craft Ink, and is a little messy.

First, tear your masking tape and adhere it to your cardstock. Use small pieces, and I prefer to not use a lot of the straight edge, but the straight edge could be perfect especially in a small area to create more uniform cracks. Completely cover your cardstock (I used some big pieces first to cover the cardstock.)

Next, sponge over your tape with Very Vanilla craft ink. Go back and forth and really rub the sponge into your tape edges especially.

Then, sprinkle a small amount of Clear Embossing Powder over the entire surface. Rub off most of the embossing powder with your finger. It will clump with the craft ink-don't put this back in your nice clean embossing powder-it has vanilla craft ink in it. (The powder should stay in the crevices.) Heat emboss the entire sheet. (Click on the picture for a larger view.)

Now, dab or pounce your inks onto the taped surface with a sponge. (DO NOT drag and rub from side to side-this will build up brown onto the vanilla edges you just made) I used Soft Suede, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust and Chocolate Chip.

Finally, cover the surface with clear embossing powder and heat emboss (otherwise the ink would likely never dry.) Finish your card.

Like a rhinestone cowboy....(getting cards and letters from people you don't even know!) Sorry I couldn't resist the line.