Batik with Holly

The Group of Seven Cardmakers are trying the batik technique this month.  I did this a few years ago but was not totally happy with the results.  Group of Seven has posted a video with the technique so I watched it, followed it to the letter, but really didn't like the results.  I wondered what I could do to get a better result and decided that what I didn't like was the way the creases came out - and that was my problem when I tried it before.  See the snowflake card on this post to see the way the creases are - I just didn't like them.  I like the creases on this post slightly better but still not that happy.  

Like the video on Group of Seven, both of my earlier cards used regular weight cardstock.  I had the idea to try something lighter that I could just scrunch it up rather than fold and score it, and, hooray, I got results I like much much better.  I used a heavyweight printer paper - 32 lb. weight (as opposed to regular printer paper which is only 20 lb. weight).  After stamping and heat embossing, I literally scrunched up the paper and that created far more random creases than the folding and pressing with a bone folder like the video shows.

Here's the first card I made:

For this one I followed the video's instructions about laying down some light colour first (I think I used Shabby Shutters and Old Paper), then stamped and heat embossed in clear embossing powder, then crumpled the paper, and then sponged over it with darker shades of green.  I trimmed it, used a sheet of double sided tape to stick it to cardstock to give it strength, then layered over a dry embossed background.  Because my panel was 5" wide I had to run half of it through the embossing folder, then the other half, so I ended up with a messy bit in the middle - I covered that with a strip of ribbon.

What I didn't like about that card was how muted the holly looks with the inks behind it, so for the next card, I just stamped and heat embossed with clear embossing powder before crumpling the paper and doing the ink blending.  

Same process after that - trimming and sticking to cardstock.  I cut a slightly larger panel of green cs and set it and the batik panel at angles (something I rarely do!!)

I still wanted more contrast between the image and the ink blending so for my last (and favourite one), I stamped and heat embossed with opaque creamy white embossing powder.

Followed all the same steps after that.  The panel is popped up on fun foam on a cream card base, with two small sentiments stamped and die cut with small square dies.  I really like this one and am very happy with the random creases.

Please let me know in the comments which one you like best!!

We'd love to have you try whatever way you like to get a batik look to your card.  Please post over at Group of Seven.  And check out the other examples by the rest of our group!

 

Supplies:
Stamps - Penny Black holly stamp, Rubber Soul Merry Christmas, Stampendous little square sentiments
Ink - Versamark, many various green Distress Oxide inks
Paper - white, cream, and green cs, 32 lb. heavyweight printer paper
Size - A2 and 5.25" square
Accessories - clear embossing powder, Papermania Seafoam White embossing powder, Sizzix holly embossing folder, ribbon, SU sentiment punch, Spellbinder square and rectangle dies