Illuminations Illuminated!

As you probably read about Illuminations on the Quietfire Creations blog, traditionally illuminated letters were gilded.  Today I've added a lot of contemporary techniques to a very old tradition!

Here is how I did this card. Thumbnail links to the products are below.

1. Cut and fold white cardstock to 5x5" sidefold card.
2. Using VersaMagic Sage, stamp Morris leaves Illuminations onto vellum.  Allow to dry.
3. Flip vellum over and use stamp positioner to center Capital Letter over Illuminations and stamp Capital Letter with Brilliance Galaxy Gold.  Emboss with Queen's Gold Embossing Powder.
4. Die cut vellum with Spellbinders Decorative Labels 1 die.
5. Mount vellum on card front using Scrapbook Adhesives Butterfly 3D Foam shapes.

Although not as smooth as I'd like, it makes a pretty good gilded letter!
Thanks for having a look! Suzanne

Neenah Solar White CS Illuminations 1 Capital Letters, Double Stroke VersaMagic Stamp Positioner Brilliance Gold Queen's Gold Embossing Powder Decorative Labels 1 Grand Calibur Magic Removable Tape

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Illuminations Cards

I thought I'd share a little more detail about the three quicky cards I made to accompany the release of Illuminations 1. You may read more details about Illuminations 1 HERE.





The W Card

 

Instructions:

1. Stamp Morris Illuminations on white cardstock using Distress Bundled Sage.
2. Stamp Double Stoke W in center of decoration using Distress Chipped Sapphire and a stamp positioner.
3. Die cut Illuminated letter with Spellbinders Labels One and die cut larger Labels One from blue cardstock. Layer as shown using Glue Dots.
4.  Cut piece of ribbon and notch at bottom.  Adhere to Cardblank using Glue Dots as shown.  Adhere decorated letter panel to card front with Pop Dots.

Supplies:

Illuminations 1 Capital Letters, Double Stroke Distress Inks Stamp Positioner Labels 1 Magic Removable Tape Grand Calibur Glue Dots Pop Dots Ribbon

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The K Card

Instructions:

1. Use VersaMagic Tea Leaves to stamp Barberry Illuminations on white cardstock.  Use stamp positioner to overstamp Capital K using VersaMagic Perfect Plumeria.
2. Use Large Labels to diecut the Illuminated letter.  Die cut largest Large Labels from white cardstock.
3. Layer ribbons (Mini Raffia Bows and Satin Pleated) and wrap around larger die cut adhering with tape. Use Pop Dots to adhere Illuminated letter panel to ribbon-wrapped panel.
4. Cut and fold green cardstock to make tent card measuring 4" x 5-1/4"  Adhere decorated panel to card front using Pop Dots.

The R Card

Instructions:

1. Use VersaFine Satin Red to stamp Contemporary Illumination on white cardstock. Use stamp positioner to overstamp Capital R in Deep Lagoon. Cut into diamond shape.
2. Mat Illuminated letter with blue and red cardstock each 1/8" larger than the previous layer and adhere using Glue Dots.
3. Mount panel on card front as shown.

Thanks for having a look!  Just ask if you have questions.  (send me an email if you're not able to check back here for my reply!
Suzanne

Here are some books you might like to check out.

The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction to the Manuscript in Trinity College, Dublin (Second Scribes and Illuminators (Medieval Craftsmen) 2nd (second) Revised Edition by de Hamel, Christopher A History of Illuminated Manuscripts Saint John's Bible: Psalms by Donald Jackson (Feb 1 2006) Medieval Calligraphy: Its History and Technique (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography) by Drogin, Marc

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Monogrammed Gift Tags

I've been wanting to make these since the dies came out!  At last I found a few minutes to play.  The idea is pretty basic, but what you do with it can be exceptional! I chose the Capitals, Double Stroke (link is below) and opted for using chipboard. I knew I wanted to use the leafy ribbon for a garland.


I found out very quickly that Distress inks bleed on the chipboard, so there is no point in using it for work with detailed stamps.  I was happy with Versafine Olympia green as well as some other pigment inks, but chose the Versafine because it had the best green!  I did use Distress inks for sponging around the outside edges of the tags.


I wanted to do a vertical garland, but this looks awesome as a swag garland as well!  For the vertical version, you might want to use some strategically placed Glue Dots and hang it against a wall so it doesn't twist.  The leafy ribbon is a bit of a free spirit!  On the other hand, you can make two of each tag and glue them back to back with the ribbon running between.  Then it won't matter which way the garland twists.  The bells at the bottom give it some weight so it hangs straight.











Here is a close-up of the bottom tag. I used Distress Markers and a Gold Gel Extreme for the dots. The buttons are threaded with 4-Ply Waxed Linen Thread which makes it easy.  The buttons are held on with my beloved Glue Dots.

Here are some tags made for gifts.

This tag was stamped and clear embossed.  The Holly motif is from I'm Telling You He Comes Down the Chimney stamp set and coloured with Distress Markers.

 

Unfortunately, this one doesn't show that it is glittered!  I re-inked my Essential Glue Pad, stamped the letter and then added Glitter Ritz from the Vintage Christmas set.  Then I didn't touch it for 24 hours.  I even burnished it a bit with my fingers.  Gee I wish it showed in the photo!

This tag is embossed with Gold Embossing powder and embellished with the little copper bells.  Pretty darn easy!

Thanks for having a look! Suzanne

Here are the thumbnail links to the products: