Vellum paper is a great addition to any project, but it can sometimes get a bit tricky figuring out how to incorporate it in fun and different ways. Somewhere between transparent and opaque, using vellum paper in your projects is an easy way add a touch of sophistication. From markers and ink pads to re-inkers and shimmer brushes, today we’re walking through a few ideas for adding a dash of color to vellum paper.
In this first example, we sponged the edges with the Mint and Lagoon Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pads using a round sponge. By gently dabbing the ink onto the page with the sponge, you can create the perfect blend of gentle color on the vellum for a fantastic colored overlay! While it may not look like much on its own, this technique is a great way to finish off the vellum work in your projects for a subtle flair.
This sponging technique is also great for larger surface areas, as you can see in this next card. Here, we used a sponge dauber to spread the ink over the entirety of each present overlay piece. We still concentrated more color at the edges, but we also spread the ink over the rest of the overlay to put more pigment in the finished piece.
In our next example, we’ve used TriBlend™ markers to add a few pops of color to this cheery birthday card. First, we created the fun candles on the front side of the vellum paper with silver embossing powder. Then, we flipped the vellum paper over and colored in the gaps with the Citrus, Bright Pink, Blue Turquoise, and Hydrangea markers on the back side of the vellum piece. This way, you get the illusion of soft candlelight on varicolored birthday candles that look so good, you almost want to blow them out!
Tip: To prevent warping or curling in your vellum paper, move your heat tool in small circles as you set the embossing powder and avoid focusing the stream of the heat tool in one spot for too long.
For this next card, you’ll want to make sure you have your re-inker stash handy. To create this adorable sentiment and wreath on our vellum circle, we used gold embossing powder for the center and Black StazOn™ Ink for the wreath. Once the ink was dry, we flipped the vellum circle over and colored in the leaves on the wreath with re-inkers, again on the back side, using a regular paintbrush as an application tool. This technique gives you a rich saturation level on your color for consistency and vibrancy.
Our last example today features the Julep Shimmer Brush. To start, we cut our vellum piece out with a bone folder and a paper trimmer to create the rough edges you see. (Instead of running the blade down the paper, run the bone folder in the crease of the trimmer to cut the paper.) Once we cut this large vellum piece, we heat-embossed oak leaves on it with gold embossing powder and colored them in with a Julep Shimmer Brush.
Tip: When using a shimmer brush to add color to vellum, be sure to keep the coloration consistent throughout. Otherwise, you may end up with some blotchy patches.
With the subtle shine of the shimmer brush, these leaves are the perfect finishing touch for this card!
Impress your friends and loved ones this season with beautiful handmade cards that include some color treated vellum. The subtle sophistication that a little dash of color adds goes a long way!
Recipes:
4¼” x 5½” Grateful for You Card (Horizontal)
S1911 My Acrylix® Family Time Stamp Set, X7251B Cedar & Pine Paper Packet, X9009 Mix-in Paper Packet, X6046 French Vanilla Cardstock, Z3367 Vellum Paper, Z2829 Espresso Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2895 Lagoon Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6503 Mint Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6515 Paprika Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2851 Saffron Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z891 VersaMark™ Ink Pad, Z4235 Gold Loose Sequins, Z4249 Gold Tinsel Embossing Powder, Z4260 Stitched Rectangle Frames Thin Cuts, Z2089 Glue Dots® Micro Dots, Z697 Round Sponge, Z4252 Heat Tool, Z4220 Anti-static Pouch, X254 White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack, Die-cutting Machine
4¼” x 5½” Hip! Hip! Hooray! Card (Vertical)
D1899 My Acrylix® Birthday Greetings Stamp Set, X7250B Holly Jolly Paper Packet, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z3367 Vellum Paper, Z891 VersaMark™ Ink Pad, Z4213 Silver Embellishing Thread, Z4191 Silver Glitter Gems, Z4260 Stitched Rectangle Frames Thin Cuts, Z2067 Silver Super Fine Embossing Powder, Z2482 Citrus TriBlend™ Marker, Z2495 Bright Pink TriBlend™ Marker, Z2489 Blue Turquoise TriBlend™ Marker, Z2494 Hydrangea TriBlend™ Marker, Z4252 Heat Tool, Z4220 Anti-static Pouch, Z2089 Glue Dots® Micro Dots, Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape, Die-cutting Machine
4¼” x 5½” Thank You Card (Vertical)
C1813 My Acrylix® Woodland Greeting Stamp Set, X9009 Mix-in Paper Packet, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z3367 Vellum Paper, Z4189 Intense Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z891 VersaMark™ Ink Pad, Z2727 Almond Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker, Z2729 Espresso Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker, Z7515 Paprika Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker, Z2751 Saffron Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker, Z2728 Toffee Exclusive Inks™ Re-inker, Z4235 Gold Loose Sequins, Z4054 Gold Embellishing Thread, Z3560 Golden Rod Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3316 Gold Shimmer Brush, Z3132 Watercolor Paints, Z2066 Princess Gold Embossing Powder, Z4309 Shaker Window & Confetti Thin Cuts, Z4260 Stitched Rectangles Frames Thin Cuts, Die-cutting Machine, Paintbrush
4¼” x 5½” Season’s Greetings Card (Horizontal)
C1800 My Acrylix® Holly Jolly—Cardmaking Stamp Set, X7250B Holly Jolly Paper Packet, X9009 Mix-in Paper Packet, X6036 Ballerina Cardstock, X6031 Green Apple Cardstock, X6042 Mint Cardstock, X5974 Raspberry Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z3367 Vellum Paper, Z3271 Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6507 Clover Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2895 Lagoon Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2812 Raspberry Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4304 Silver Loose Sequins, Z3550 Striped Ribbon Bows, Z3549 Holly Jolly Dots, Z3515 Black Journaling Pen (.01), Z726 Sponge Daubers, Z2089 Glue Dots® Micro Dots, Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape
4¼” x 5½” Grateful Card (Horizontal)
C1813 My Acrylix® Woodland Greetings Stamp Set, X7251B Cedar & Pine Paper Packet, X6046 French Vanilla Cardstock, X5962 Goldrush Cardstock, X5959 New England Ivy Cardstock, X6033 Paprika Cardstock, X6045 Sage Cardstock, Z3367 Vellum Paper, Z3271 Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2829 Espresso Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2835 New England Ivy Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z891 VersaMark™ Ink Pad, Z4235 Gold Loose Sequins, Z4054 Gold Embellishing Thread, Z3508 Julep Shimmer Brush, Z2066 Princess Gold Embossing Powder, Z4220 Anti-static Pouch, Z4252 Heat Tool, Z4181 Stitched Circles Thin Cuts, Z2089 Glue Dots® Micro Dots, Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape, Watercolor Pencils, Die-cutting Machine, Sewing Machine
Thank You…this was VERY Helpful!
Dear Janette
Oh my God this is super duper beautiful. I am going to try the techniques i can without an embossing tool as i dont have one. i got a gift but it is not working so i have to buyy one. Nevertheless i am going to bk mark this and keep so that i can refer to it whenever i want. Thanks for the inspiration. May God bless you and your family with gd health and happiness always’.
with love and gratitude