Tall Trees and Mica Powders….
Hi there
Thanks for popping in. Saturday’s blog a new technique, right? But new to who? To me? To you? Depends when you got on the Clarity bus, I guess! Here’s an idea I developed way back when, which is very cool – and so easy to do. Believe it or not, I found this in my 2013 library! Good God! Where does the time go?
All you need is double-sided adhesive sheets and Mica powders. And those – we have!! Oh, also the Tall Trees stamp from yesterday which is on special offer. Simple line art for cutting with a craft knife – that’s what we need.
Very easy, very relaxing….ready?
A6 Clarity double-sided adhesive sheet 
Peel off one side of the paper 
Ink up the stamp with black archival ink 
stamp directly onto the adhesive sheet. 
move the carrier paper over 
We are going to lay down a sheet of A6 Clarity card on the sticky image. 
Like so… 
Flip over, and you can see the stamped image through the orange wax paper. 
Cut off the excess double sided adhesive. Save for Ron. 
Now it’s time to scribe the outline of the image with the tip of a craft knife. 
You are cutting through the wax paper only. Take your time. Don’t press too hard. 
Time to paint with mica powders. Peel away the wax paper from the lower area 
Mix the colours to get different blends.
Forever Blue will be your base colour for most of this.
Remove the next background piece. Brush the mica powder in off the wax paper and work your way towards the part you‘ve already done. 
Work on the Trees, one at a time. 
Create shadow using Forever Blue 
The next area to tackle is the trunks… 
And finally, the sky. 
The sky is perfect with a mix of white or Biscotti and a tiny amount of Forever Blue.
Or one of the lighter blues.
Frame last. 
Add all the colours you have used randomly to cover the frame. 
Buff with a paper towel or tissue. 
Cut away the excess white card, which acted as a piece to hold and mix powders while you worked. 
Seal the deal with a sheet of A6 clear acetate 
Lay it over the top, to protect the work. After 24 hours or so, it will cling to the art by itself. 
Tiday up the edges 
Use a glue runner to attach the piece to black coated Clarity Card.
Looks really sharp with a glossy black edge.
trim back. 
Glue runner agin… 
Mount on a white card blank to complete.
Here‘s another example…
…and another one !!
Always really loved doing this trick. Give it a go. It is very arty.
All from April 2013….mad, innit. 7 years later, and here we are. So let me upload a few other pics from the same time, just to rustle up a few good memories…
Retreat in the Village Hall in Cowden the month after. See Paul in the background? Sam Crowe, Debby Berry, Deb McMullin, Janet Pring, Angela Simpson, Terri Cope, Barbara Cornell and so many familiar faces! Some have stuck around and some have moved on. But they were good times.
The NEC the March before …Gelli plates.
Stay safe
Love and Hugs
Barb xxx
14 thoughts on “Tall Trees and Mica Powders….”
Lovely demonstration and great for you to look back shows how the artwork stands the rest of time as still very popular today xx great to see the phots too xx will have a go at the step by step thank you once again xx
Brilliant demos as always ,, I well remember the cowden retreat days , hoping this year’s will go ahead everything crossed xx
Has something gon wrong? All I’m seeing is a black screen with unintelligable wrinting on it.
Brilliant blog. Very calming
Oh what lovely art work and such lovely memories. My list for Monday is getting longer. Have a good weekend. Take care. Hugs xxx
Oh wow ! I remember this it took me a couple of goes before I was happy with them ,memories i love them thankyou barb xx
Brilliant look back. I remember doing this with the Scottish castle and bridge stamps – loved it and still do. I’ve got everything crossed so that the retreats will happen again this year. Have a lovely evening xxx
Great demo, nice reminder. Haven’t used miMica powders for ages.
February tomorrow – where hasJanuary gone………….?
Looking forward to the sale.
Stay safe 🍒
I love seeing the old demos again. Sometimes they remind me why I bought various products in the first place!! I started writing down which demo/card had made me purchase a certain product but have got rather lax over the last 5 years or so. Must start it again to kick-start my mojo when it goes into hibernation! Thanks for the reminder of a good technique.
thanks for the lookback – so good to remember what we’ve done previously and not always focus on moving onto new things. I’ve been delving back into my craft stash over the last few weeks, but got diverted today when my new doodle heart stamp arrived & had to get it out straight away! They are fabulous. I’m going to have to dig my mica powders out now!
Looking back at photos makes you realise how somethings have stayed just the same but others have changed dramatically. Stamps were mounted on the Clarity handle mounts but we are still using the brayer & Gelli plates.
Need to catch up on all the latest projects that you & the Clarity Team have done for us.
Hi Barb,
I’ve always loved that technique. I remember seeing you demo the trees one on tv and bought mica powders so that I could copy it. What a mess I made first of all. I eventually managed but haven’t tried it for ages. Love the fish picture! Great to look back at the photos of the retreat and the show. Some things don’t change, but sadly others do. Hopefully the retreats and Open Days will take place sometime this year. Love and hugs Alison xxx
Hello Barb, a lovely technique and not one I have tried before, always time to give it a go. Lovely to see pictures of shows and workshops. I was looking through one of my folders and found some samples of pattern building when I went to one of the trade shows, when I was working at a craft shop part time, Time to get my corner stamps out me thinks. Take care and stay safe everyone. Bx
Wow Barbara this technique takes me back. Can’t believe it’s over seven years ago – those years have flown by.
Take care x