Vintage Wallpaper Faux Patina Embossing

I love the look of antiqued, layered, and distressed backgrounds, so one of my favorite things to do is experiment with textures, colors and techniques to see what Too Cool effect will emerge!

Today's cards combine both heat and dry embossing with lots of sponging to create a beautiful background reminiscent of metal with a patina finish!  OOOOOoooo!  Check it out!

Isn't it fabulous?!!!  Talk about "amour!"  I do!  Be sure to click to enlarge the closeup to see all the gorgeous gold embossing details! 

Scroll down to see complete instructions on how to achieve a faux patina finish on your stamped projects!

Card Details: On both cards, I stamped the Notably Ornate image in VersaMark, then embossed with Gold Embossing Powder.  The En Francais stamp was inked in Soft Suede for the background pattern.  I used Sticky Strip to attach the Striped Ribbon underneath the patina piece, which is popped up with Dimensionals.  

Card Supplies

• Stamps—Artistic Etchings, Notably Ornate, En Francais
• Ink—VersaMark, Soft Suede (background stamp), Marina Mist, Always Artichoke, Early Espresso
• Paper—Always Artichoke, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla card stock
• Accessories—Vintage Wallpaper Folder, Gold Embossing Powder, Early Espresso Striped Grograin Ribbon, Neutral Buttons and Linen Thread (card 1), Antique Brads (card 2)
• Tools—Modern Label Punch, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Big Shot, Sponges

Faux Patina Embossing How-Tos

The key to this technique is layering colors to get the look you want.  I started by using up some scraps I had already created with the bisque embossing technique. 

I lightly inked one side of the Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder with Crumb Cake ink and ran it through the Big Shot.

Next, I sponged Marina Mist ink over the piece to bring out the embossed details.

Then, I sponged on some Always Artichoke, which turned it a pretty teal color and accentuated the embossing even more.  I focused on the embossed areas, trying to leave some of the lighter areas in-between.

Finally, I sponged on Early Espresso ink to darken the entire piece.  You can really change the look of the texture by how much ink you sponge between the designs.  I created a more splotchy and random look on this one.

Now, we're done with the color, but we'll add some heat embossing to make it really pop!

Since I just added all of that ink, I want to make sure to soak up any remaining moisture with the Embossing Buddy before I add my embossing powder. 

Lightly rub the VersaMark Ink Pad over the top of the embossed design, then sprinkle on Gold Embossing Powder.  If you get too much on the design, use a soft, fluffy brush to remove some.  Heat-set the powder with the Heat Tool.  Your finished piece should look something like this…

My inspiration for this background came from a decorative box that I have in my house.  Here are the cards with the patina finished box:

I almost think I like my background better than the box!  Teehee!

Experiment With Different Color Combinations

You could really have some fun experimenting with different color combination with this technique!  Patinas aren't only in blues, greens and turquoise!  Why not try some purples, or grays, or even brown and rusty combinations?  Oh the possibilities!

TIP: I found that it's best to start with a light muted color (Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand) and build on that in  progressively darker colors.  The final sponging should be with a really dark color (Espresso, Black, Navy, Grey, Concord Crush, etc.) to really bring out the deep, rich tones of color.

Here are some combinations that I tried:

Swatch Color Recipes

• Swatch #1: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso
• Swatch #2: Crumb Cake, Pretty In Pink, Bravo Burgundy, Early Espresso
• Swatch #3: Crumb Cake, Rose Red, Rich Razzleberry, Elegant Eggplant
• Swatch #4: Crumb Cake, Pretty In Pink, Elegant Eggplant, Basic Gray
• Swatch #5: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Basic Grey
• Swatch #6: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso
• Swatch #7: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Basic Grey
• Swatch #8: Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette, Concord Crush, Basic Grey

Have fun trying this fabulous faux patina technique!

Angie

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