Author Topic: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays  (Read 10761 times)

Offline Far North

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Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« on: November 22, 2016, 11:13:03 AM »
Happy Holidays!  I don’t know about you but I am very short on time to send my usual number of handmade cards.  So I decided to offer this one last Happy Mail swap this year so to send at least 1 Artsy Inker. 

The challenge for this holiday card is to use the technique presented in the videos below.  You will create a dendritic, a branching tree-like pattern, for an artsy card background.

For this technique you will need any kind of acrylic paint, paper, two similar sized surfaces- packaging acetate, or glass, or Plexiglas etc. paint brush, spray bottle of water and rag.  Adapt as needed.

 I suggest adding a simple optional special holiday treat to the inside of your card. For example 2 or 3 extra handmade card backgrounds will hopefully stay within your usual postage cost. 

The first video is a brief presentation of the dendritic monoprinting technique. Others show more variations and are longer.  You may want to open the gear icon at the bottom of the video screen and speed up to a faster speed.  1.5 is about the fastest I can understand the speaker. 

By AtomicShrimp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eerBW37SLxM&index

Dendritic Monoprinting - Circles by Cat Hand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=482_bifbcyA 

Dendritic Monoprinting  by Shannon Green
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLHg1BYR14Y

ART LOG-Dendritic Printing pages 8 & 9 by Wendy Mason
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48LB-Wco0xI&t=99s

To play in this swap please leave a comment on this thread and I will sign you in on the list below.  I will send my card to the last person signing the list so everyone will receive a card.

Timeline details:
1.  Sign-up with a note on this thread before Monday, November 28 at midnight your time. 
2.  Make your card.
3. Take a photo of your card and surprise before mailing.
3.  All cards must be in the mail no later than Tuesday, December 13 midnight your time.  Please post a note here when your card is in the mail.
4.  When you receive your Happy Mail card please post a note on this discussion thread.
5.  After your card recipient has posted a note here saying your card was received please post your photo in the gallery with description.  When making your gallery post please remember to find the “Swap Album” and click on the “Happy Mail Swap”.

Please post on this thread a note of your progress as well as any questions/comments.
Thanks for considering this swap! …Jan

Sign-up for Happy Mail
1. April sends to Jan
2. Heidi sends to April
3. Yankee sends to Heidi
4. Cindi sends to Yankee
5. Kathy sends to Cindi
6. Jan sends to Kathy


Jan sends to last player-
« Last Edit: November 29, 2016, 12:53:51 PM by Far North »

Offline stampwilly

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Re: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2016, 03:50:29 PM »
Love this easy looking and fun technique! Please sign me up!

April :smile:

Offline Far North

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Re: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2016, 10:22:49 PM »
So glad you want to play April.  I believe there will be a learning curve but at least the process is only a few steps.
« Last Edit: November 23, 2016, 03:32:48 AM by Far North »

Offline Iring

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Re: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2016, 08:55:08 AM »
This looks like such a cool technique!  I don't think I've seen it before.  With the wedding on Dec 10th, I think I'm going to have to pass this month.  If by some miracle, I get done with wedding prep ahead of schedule  :laughhard: I will sign up. 
Cindi

Offline Iring

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Re: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2016, 08:56:15 AM »
Really, it's so hard to pass up!  I know I will just put myself over the edge though!
Cindi

Offline Far North

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Re: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2016, 11:06:56 AM »
Cindy, sorry you might not be able play...but I understand.  This certainly is the time of year we get overly busy even without a wedding in the mix.

I have been working with this technique for the past few days and have made over 15 backgrounds. For me the toughest thing is finding the best quantity of paint.  The first video mentioned a teaspoon of paint but for my first attempts I used considerable less because that was my impression from the video.  I used a couple colors of inexpensive craft paint.  My first pull was okay but the paint dried quickly and I could hardly get any paint onto the 2nd paper.  I improved my results by using more paint; having everything organized on my working surface including a stack of paper to print on; knowing where I was going to place the wet prints; trying to get 1 good result from each "glass" prior to using up any remaining paint and stop thinking about possibilities while making prints...just ink the glass apply pressure, slowly pull the pieces apart and lay paper on wet paint and lightly apply pressure to transfer ink.  If not enough ink is transferred one can always try another layer on top...or use the back.

Paint Colors-For me I found limiting colors to 1-2 worked well.  White paint helped considerably in providing different tones of color.  I didn't mix the colors much since it would be smooched together anyways. Sometimes when I didn't achieve enough pattern in my print I added a metallic paint over top.

Making cards-I find myself leaning towards bold, simple focal designs and using mostly diecuts.  Of course you can diecut the background as desired.

I have already made 3 completed cards so obviously I am having lots of fun with this technique. Hope you do too!  Would love to hear about your experience in trying this technique.
...Jan
« Last Edit: November 26, 2016, 11:11:36 AM by Far North »

Offline Far North

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Re: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« Reply #6 on: November 27, 2016, 06:59:39 PM »

Offline howdyheidi

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Re: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2016, 05:43:45 PM »
I was away all weekend, so I am just getting to this thread now.  I think this is so neat and I would like to try. I don't have pieces of glass, but I think I could do it on a very small scale.  If that is okay, I would like to sign up.
~~Heidi~~

Offline Far North

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Re: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« Reply #8 on: November 28, 2016, 07:40:18 PM »
Heidi I am happy you can play! I would think stiff packaging material would work well.  The video tutorials are certainly done with a variety of materials.


Offline Yankee

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Re: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« Reply #9 on: November 28, 2016, 08:16:44 PM »
My family just left.
I would like to try.
Born on the fourth of July

Offline Far North

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Re: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« Reply #10 on: November 28, 2016, 08:28:34 PM »
Shelia glad you will have some time to play!  If you have any issues-give a shout and hopefully we will be able to help.  Hope you have as much fun as I did!  Warning it is hard to stop!
...Jan

Offline Iring

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Re: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« Reply #11 on: November 28, 2016, 10:09:40 PM »
Ok, sign me up!  I can't resist.
I should be back from the wedding December 11th or 12th and I will reserve the 13th just for me!
I hope to play with paint before then and I'll reserve the 13th for finalizing a card or adding goodies.
Cindi

Offline stampwilly

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Re: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« Reply #12 on: November 28, 2016, 10:19:34 PM »
I have loved doing this technique and have made about 40 backgrounds! I thought since I had everything out I might as well make a few! LOL!

I used sturdy plastic from packaging, but I think glass might work better. I did get some good results though. At first I forgot to smooth out my paint with a brush so the paint was thicker and less defined. The less paint you put on the finer the lines, so the amount of paint plays into this as well. I used just white paint on some dark colors of cs and on the rest I used 2-3 colors of paint.

April :smile:

Offline Far North

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Re: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« Reply #13 on: November 28, 2016, 10:38:19 PM »
Oh April you had me laughing out loud when I read you made 40 prints!  If I would had more time I would have been right there with you! Thanks for sharing your experience! 

If player have a couple low cost pictures frames perhaps the glass could be borrowed and returned the same day.
« Last Edit: November 28, 2016, 10:43:10 PM by Far North »

Offline Far North

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Re: Happy Mail-Happy Holidays
« Reply #14 on: November 28, 2016, 11:48:26 PM »
Oh Cindi I am happy you know you will need some crafting time after the wedding and will spend it working on this challenge!