Friday, November 14, 2014

Distressed Metal / Porcelain Tutorial

Hi Everyone!

As promised, I am back today with a tutorial on how I did the distressed metal technique on my handmade Winter Wishes charm. This is actually the same technique that I used to create the porcelain effect on my poinsettia in the second photo...although I have perfected it a bit since then. It's a little photo heavy, but then, all my posts are, so what the hay! If you want to see more of these cards, you can just click on the photographs.

For the record, this was something I did completely by accident, I didn't learn it from anyone else. Odds are that somebody out there has already discovered this, but as far as I know, it's a technique of my own invention. I hope you enjoy!



#1 - Cut out your shape first using whatever colour paper you want the cracks to be. For the purpose of the tutorial, I used black card stock for high contrast, but my Winter Wishes charm was made using silver card stock.

#2 - Add two coats of UTEE. One coat will NOT work, the UTEE needs to be fairly thick.

#3 - Add a coat of coloured embossing powder. The one on the left is pewter embossing powder on black paper. The one on the right is white embossing powder on white paper (this is for the porcelain).

They look very cool just like this, but it's the next step that will blow your socks off!


These are the same two tags!!

#4 - Add a layer of UTEE over top of the coloured embossing. Heat it until you can see the coloured embossed layer underneath start to separate and move around. That's where all the fun is!

#5 For the porcelain sample on the right hand side, I added a little Black Soot distress ink onto the white layer before adding the last layer of UTEE and then heated it lightly. I smudged it too much in the sample, but I think you get the gist.

Now I will just show you some samples of what I played around with.


The one on the left has 1 layer of pewter embossing powder, the one on the right has 2 layers of pewter embossing powder. I used 2 layers of pewter because the powder was really fine and I didn't get great coverage with the first layer.


The one on the left has black paper backing, the one on the right has white paper backing, but both use the same embossing powder. You can see how changing the colour of the paper REALLY changes the look of the effect.


For this next one I used Stampendous Frantage Aged Gold Embossing Enamel. The one on the left is before the final layer of UTEE, the one on the right is after the UTEE. What a difference! Of all the embossing powders that I tried, this was my favourite! I will be ordering more shades of this stuff! (what a plug!)


For the next one here, I sprinkled on a little bit on silver and gunmetal glitter before adding the final layer of UTEE. This is a great way to get extra sparkle, especially for Christmas!


For this one, I embossed the paper first. I used one layer of detail gold embossing powder on a gold paper backing. Super fun effect. You want a thin coverage of coloured embossing powder for this one, or you wont't be able to see the pattern.

I think next time, I will antique the embossed pattern a bit before adding that first layer of UTEE, I think it would add some amazing depth.


I think this next one is my favourite! I used an aqua coloured paper backing and combined gold and copper embossing powders for a really unique take on a patina! I should have added more copper in the middle, but I think you get the idea!


For this next one, I used a white pearl embossing powder on a pale gold paper backing. Before I added the UTEE, I gently sponged on some white gold paint around the edges. So amazing, the UTEE made the paint bubble a bit, giving it a really fun texture.

In the second picture, I bent and twisted the tag to bust up the UTEE and give it all the cracks. Fun thing all on it's own and it could be used just like that, but I took it one step further...


...I rubbed a bit of distress ink in the cracks and then took my heat gun and made the cracks disappear. In the image below, you can see where the ink left marks of the cracks, but the actual cracks are gone. HOW FUN IS THAT!!


WHAT DIDN'T WORK:

- The UTEE will not stick to glossy or coated papers and it will not stick to metallic paints. The matte paint seemed OK though.

- Super chunky embossing powders do not work. They are so thick that the UTEE was burning before I could melt all of the layers enough to move the coloured layer around effectively.

- Regular clear embossing powder is just not thick enough. It's not that it DIDN't work. It just takes soooooo many layers that I would never have enough patience to actually bother with it.

- Cutting out your shape MUST be done first! Any distressing do first as well. Trust me, after you have 4 or 5 coats of embossing powder on there, it's not going through any die cutting machine or being altered in any way...darned things are thick!

- To prevent cracking, make sure you are keeping your piece straight as it cools off. If it curls up, like it wants to, then it will crack when you try to straighten it out.


Here is one that I did using ivory coloured paper and copper embossing powder. I stamped the image into the final layer while it was still hot using Ranger Archival ink and a Tim Holtz stamp.

I will be back next week with the card that I am making using my wonderful copper ornament panel.


Hope you enjoyed my tutorial. I will add it to the Tutorials Page at the top of the screen so you can easily find it. Don't forget to come back and let me know if you give it a go, I would love to see your results!

That's it for today. Thank you for stopping in and for all the amazing comments. I read and appreciate every single one! If you have any questions, please let me know.



72 comments:

  1. Wow Pamellia! What a great tutorial this is, with so many details and variations! Thank you so much for sharing, I know I'll be going back to it alot since I love how your charm turned out! I can't wait to see the card with that gorgeous copper ornament panel! Thank you again and big hugs till your next wonderful project :)

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    1. Thank you so much Samra! Can't wait to see what you come up with! hugs :)

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  2. You are such a clever and generous lady Pamellia,thank you so much for being kind enough to share. I've run out of UTEE but will buy some more after this! Love all of the effects,wonderful tutorial. You are the best :)

    Have a brilliant weekend

    Extra big hugs
    Donna xxx

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    1. Aahhh, thanks Donna! Let me know if you give it a go. big hugs :)

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  3. I have never bought UTEE but this tutorial has made me put it on my next craft shopping list. I love all the different effects you have created and can't wait to see the work of art you create with the ornament panel.
    Hugs!
    Cec

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    1. teehee, thanks Cec! I would love to see what you create! big hugs :)

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  4. Thanks for sharing this fab tutorial with us and the great details and tips. I'm going to give this a try, I haven't played with my embossing powders for a long time. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished card with the copper embellishment on it next week.
    Lorraine

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    1. Thanks Lorraine! I avoid embossing powder, makes too much of a mess for me, but this one was kind of fun! Let me know if you try it out. hugs :)

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  5. You came so quick on this...I was actually experimenting my way...the way my brains work! This is so detailed and a lot of theory my dear! Thank you so much for sharing...I loved the patina and the copper stamped one.You are too good...may you discover more with your crafty accidents! Big Hugs and a happy weekend.

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    1. Thanks so much Rupa! Aren't happy accidents the best! big hugs :)

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  6. Great info ... You are so clever!! TFS ... Have a great day!!

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  7. OH MY WORD this is a FABULOUS technique you CLEVER girl!! I can't wait to try it out!! My hubbie is away for a week starting Saturday so maybe I'll have some quality crafting time!! Thanks for the wonderful tutorial Pamellia!! Have a FANTASTIC weekend!!
    Take care, Beth

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    1. Thanks Beth! Oh boy, an entire week to craft! WOW, lucky girl! Let me know if you try it out, I would love to see your results! hugs :)

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  8. What a wonderful technique. Thank you for sharing it and for your detailed explanation. Now I just need to find some UTEE ...
    Hugs! xx

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    1. Thanks Maja! Don't forget, you can use regular clear powder, just takes lots of layers. big hugs :)

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    2. Really? I think this will be easier to find. Thank you for the info! xx

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  9. This is such a great technique, I love how you re-melted the cracked one to seal up the cracks, that looks a-m-a-z-i-n-g! Thank you so much for sharing the detail too! Hugs, Anne xx

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    1. Thanks so much Anne. That one was a happy accident as well. Thank goodness I mess up all the time! ha! hugs :)

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  10. Fantastic tutorial and a great technique! I must try it! I don't have any UTEE right now so will have to patiently melt my clear embossing powder :) luckily I have plenty of it.
    Thank you for your time to explain and show the different results. It is much appreciated, my friend!
    Thank you for your sweet comments too! Big hugs,
    Ingrid xx

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    1. Thanks Ingrid! I can't wait to see what your clever mind does with this! happy weekend my friend! hugs :)

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  11. I thought I'd stop by to say hi! Love this tutorial. I have seen the stamping on hot embosseed paper before and also the cracked UTEE, only you are giving us some many more alternatives (like a lot)! Hugs.

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    1. Hi Gracie, hope you are well! Oh yeah, those two bits didn't come from me, I probably should have mentioned that...just the way I layered the powders. happy weekend, hugs :)

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  12. Hi Pamellia
    Some very interesting effects you've got going on there. Hels Sheridan in the UK does a lot of similar stuff, particularly with the Melt Pot (she's a Ranger certified tutor) with UTEE and wax.
    I've done little tags with double embossing but have to try adding all the extras now. The copper tag looks fab.
    Thanks for the comment about Blogger. Think it must have been a glitch as I'd looked at my stats before I checked for the post and the had been been a lot of visits but it still hadn't gone live. Technology eh?
    Have a great weekend.
    Ang x

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    1. Thanks Ang. I would love to get myself one of those melt pot things, just can't find one around here anywhere! Odd thing about Blogger, just goes wonky for no reason from time to time. This post for instance, lightbox just decided it didn't want to work, previous and next post are fine...what up!!! Anyway, hugs and happy weekend Ang! :)

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  13. Pamellia, my super talented friend, thank you for the crisp and clear tutorial! The effects are spectacular and when I have the proper supplies I will certainly be experimenting! Thank you for always inspiring. :o)

    Hugs and blessings,
    Karen

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    1. Thanks Karen and you are very welcome! I would love to see what you come up with, let me know if you get a change to try it. big hugs :)

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  14. Amazing technique Pamellia. Thanks for making so many samples of colours ... it's great to see the difference using the different colours of card stock. Loll xx

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    1. Thanks Loll. I was actually surprised myself at how many different looks I could get using the exact same colour embossing powder. So much fun to play! big hugs :)

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  15. Wow, Pamellia, thank you for sharing all this great knowledge of the UTEE. I have some, but have been too afraid to use it! You have taken all the scariness out of it for me:)! (other than worrying one of my cats will step in it!) Love the porcelain look on your poinsettias! Truly looks like the real thing. You are a super talented young lady, and we appreciate YOU!

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    1. How sweet are you!!! Thank you so much Sara! happy weekend and big hugs! :)

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  16. This is totally amazing and it looks so much fun. All of the samples you made have really got my imagination going. Thank you so much for going to all of this trouble to share with the rest of us. UTEE is on my next shopping list.

    Dionne xx

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    1. Thanks so much Dionne! I really look forward to seeing what you do with this fun technique! Big hugs :)

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  17. As Mrs Duck says Hels Sheridan does a lot of UTEE techniques here in the UK. Suze Weinberg is the Mistress of Melt you should check this wondercul lady out. She invented the Melt Pot and worked with Ranger to develop some of the embossing powders we use today, she retired a few years ago and then Ranger re branded the Melt Pot. You will find more tutorials on Suze's blog.

    I have tried this technique before but not in as much detail as you have described. Putting your tag in the freezer produces wonderful cracks which you can then add your colours and reheat.

    My favourite tag is the patina one, that is very clever. Thank you for sharing your futorial and the pictures are wonderful:-) xxx

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    1. Thanks Mo! No need for the freezer when you have this many layers, just let it curl naturally as it cools off, trust me, when you try and straighten it out, there will be tons of cracks. Thanks for the info on Suze, I will check her out. hugs :)

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  18. Great tutorial, Pamellia...makes me want to pull my UTEE back out and play with it again. Your poinsettia with the UTEE is gorgeous, too-I may have to lift that idea soon! (And those tags that crack off when you try to straighten them? They make great "distressed" looking tags...just remelt some of the pieces that are still partially stuck, and tell everyone you meant it that way...that's what I used to do! LOL)

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    1. haha! Thanks so much Kathy! I would really really love to see what you do with this, your creative mind will make some wondrous, I just know it! Have a great weekend! big hugs :)

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  19. FABULOUS Pamellia, love love love.....have my hot pot out but no UTEE left so I am going to try this....one day....I have made something similar a LONG time ago and you have brought back the inspiration.xxx
    aNNie xxxx
    The Journey is the Start

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    1. Thanks Annie! Let me know if you give it a go, I would love to see what you come up with! hugs :)

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  20. Wonderful technique and like nothing else I have seen before. Thank you for sharing it

    Love Chrissie x

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  21. Wow Pamellia
    You do love to play haha , thank you so much for your tutorial,i have learned so much today, i will be finding my UTEE out from its hidey hole, have only used it once a few years ago and it was a disaster black and gold i think they are { does UTEE have a sell by date ? } lol. By the way your poinsettia is just the best i have seen , i would attach a pin wear it .

    Take care
    Elaine H .X

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    1. Thanks so much Elaine! Love that idea of attaching the poinsettia to a pin...you may have just given my a great Christmas gift idea for my Mumsie! big hugs :)

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    2. Oh i do hope so , xxx
      Hig Hugs back to you xxx

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  22. Wonderful technique.I love playing with UTEE but all I have done till now is use chipboard and stamping into the hot UTEE.I really love the idea of using coloured papers for the awesome effect.Thanks for such a detailed tutorial.You are awesome!

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    1. Thanks so much Pallavi! happy weekend! hugs :)

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  23. Wow! you have been really busy with this technique Pamellia but they all look fabulous. Thank you for the tutorial.

    Love & Hugs

    Jacquie J xxx
    http://jewelscardcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

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  24. This is an eye opener to me, a digi girl!, I love love love what you do and I am in awe every time I visit, I really love to visit too.

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    1. Thank you so much Faith! I sure hope you give it a go! hugs :)

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  25. Wow! Pamellia, I love this tutorial, because it shows and convinces me the use of UTEE versus usual embossing clear powder, and because I love serendipity! Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences! Lys.

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    1. haha, Thanks Lys! Let me know if you try your hand at it! hugs :)

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  26. A fabulous technique and brilliant tutorial, thank you so much for sharing Pamellia.
    Pauline
    x

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  27. Your tutorial is fabulous. Even I never can make this kind of project I followed it from the start to the end. You are just a super designer, Pamellia.
    Hugs xxx

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    1. Thanks Sirkkis, although I think you underestimate your abilities! hugs :)

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  28. These are gorgeous Pamellia! I lOVE all of them!! Thanks so much for the tutorial!
    Big hugs, Tammy

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  29. Hi Pamellia, this has always been one of my favourite techniques for making embellishments to go on toppers or as focal points. I always apply embossing ink and a normal embossing powder before starting with the UTEE.
    I like working it on Stamp Board but have used corrugated card and other types, there's so much you can do with it and your tutorial is great, thanks for sharing it with us. Happy vrafting, Angela x

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    1. Thanks Angela! I would love to see some tutorials of some of those ideas! hugs :)

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  30. Brilliant tutorial I love the projects you make and that you are willing to share your experiences and ideas-thank you
    carol x

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    1. Thank you so much Carol...for all of your wonderful comments today! big hugs :)

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  31. Oh something new to try! Thanks for showing this - all I need now is time to play!! Hugs, Chrisx

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    1. Make sure to come and let me know if you give it a try, I would love to see what you make! big hugs :)

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