A blog devoted to the cards I make in my tiny upstairs space. When my sister stays there, she calls it an "artist's garret". I'm not an artist, but am an enthusiastic cardmaker - hence the title "Cardmaker's Garret".
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Saturday, 28 February 2026

Faux Cyanotypes

The Group of Cardmakers are trying out Faux Cyanotypes this month.  What on earth are those, you say.  Basically it's an old-fashioned photography technique adapted for card making.

Here are my cards:
 
I made a mask for my focal panel by die cutting an oval out of some scrap paper.  I laid it over my focal panel card stock and sponged with Distress Blueprint Sketch.  Leaving the mask in place, I then stamped my image.  I trimmed the panel, bordered it with blue cs, added a vertical sentiment, and went over a lot of the snowy parts of the image with a Quickie glue pen and added glitter to it.
 
Traditionally cyanotypes are blue but I tried another one using Vintage Photo as it gives a very old fashioned look.

I made a square mask and sponged with Distress Vintage Photo, then stamped the reindeer image with the Vintage Photo.  I love the old-fashioned look of the colour and the tone-on-tone.  I trimmed the panel, leaving a white border, and popped it up on fun foam on the card base.

I have to say I prefer my first card.  The blue is the true colour they use for cyanotypes.  Mine are definitely "faux" cyanotypes as the traditional Cyanotype is white on a more intense blue coloured background.  I tried making one that way but did not get great results.  For examples of that, see what the rest of the Group of Cardmakers made over at the group blog.

 Here are a couple of videos with instructions:
1)  Faux Cyanotype Technique by Tracy Evans (37:16) - just watch the first 9 min.  If you have a platform and can repeat stamp images - then you won't need to paint over top.  She does add different techniques on top and worth watching if you have time.  Or fast forward to almost the end of the video to see the finished card - worth it!

2)  Faux Cyanotypes with Masking by Understand Blue - Lydia Fieldler -  (7:27)
 
Group of Cardmakers badge 
 
I'm also adding the reindeer one to Cardz 4 Guyz "Monochrome". 
 
Cardz 4 Guyz Logo 
 




Supplies for card 1:
Stamps - Stampendous Snowy Postcard, Rosie's Roadshow vertical sentiment
Ink - Distress Blue Sketch
Paper - white and blue cs
Size - A2
Accessories -  Spellbinders oval die and rectangle dies

Supplies for card 2:
Stamps - Crafty Individuals reindeer
Ink - Distress Vintage Photo
Paper - white cs
Size - 4.75" square
Accessories - Spellbinders square die, fun foam


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7 comments:

  1. Loll28 February 2026 at 10:20

    Both cards are great example of "cyan" otypes, Susan. I do love the blue one the most. It's so perfect for a wintery scene, and I LOVE the added glitter. xx

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  2. Pat28 February 2026 at 16:42

    Both of these do look really terrific Susan and I love the Snowy Postcard which is very effective with the added glitter, and the Vintage Photo DI really does give that vintage feel to the lovely reindeer image. Wonderful cards! x

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  3. Anonymous1 March 2026 at 00:15

    Fabulous cards with this fascinating technique. I remember seeing it done on fabric, but it’s great to see it can be simulated on cards xxx LesleyG (couldn’t figure how to change the anonymous this time 🙄)

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  4. Anonymous1 March 2026 at 12:27

    Beautiful Susan, you picked the perfect stamps for this technique. I'm going to be doing a couple more more cards with this technique, it's so versatile.

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  5. Bonnie1 March 2026 at 15:59

    I love your winter scene with the blue and also the deer in the browns, Susan! A very interesting technique!

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  6. Darnell1 March 2026 at 20:41

    I do agree, Susan, that the blue is wonderful, but I quite like the vintage look of your reindeer, too! Thanks for the tips on the video! (And good job adding snowy glitter!) Hugs, Darnell

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  7. Julie B15 March 2026 at 09:20

    Both your cards look fab, the vintage look you've achieved using this technique is really effective. Thanks for adding it to the Cardz4Guyz gallery. :)

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