Acetate & Tissue

A great technique to try when you need vibrant colors or if you want something to look like it is caught in a liquid (fish) or a crystal (like a fossil in amber!).

Supplies

Step-by-Step

1. Step 1

   You may want to wear rubber gloves and protect your work surface. This is a really easy technique, but it is messy.
   

2. Step 2

   Cut a piece of plain white tissue paper slightly larger than your piece of acetate. Wad it up, then un-wad it, but don't try to take the wrinkles out. Lay it aside, we will need it later.
   

3. Step 3

   Stamp your image on the window sheet with Stazon™ . If you use overhead transparencies, you might be able to emboss your image as well. Just be careful heating your image or you will warp the actetate.
   

   

4. Step 4

   Turn the "unstamped" side of the acetate up and scribble glue (Crystal Effects™ or PPA) over it.
   

   

5. Step 5

   Rub the glue around to cover the acetate.

6. Step 6

   Drop some reinkers randomly around the sheet and smear them a little. If you smear too much, they will blend together too much and you will get “mud.”
   

   

7. Step 7

   If you want a "painted look" put the reinker color where you want that color to be and color the image in. Make sure there is reinker color all over the acetate.
   
   

   

8. Step 8

   If you want to add some sparkle, add it now. Rub the pearl ex of your choice in a little. Or sprinkle glitter over the image.
   

   

9. Step 9

   Now you can lay the tissue paper over the glue mixture. Press it down a little. You don't want any airbubbles or "white" spots.
   

   

10. Step 10

    Let it dry. If you have overhead transparencies that you can heat, use the heat gun ..... CAREFULLY. Otherwise it is best to wait for a few hours or overnight.

    

11. Step 11

    Finish your card (make sure it's dry)! Either use the piece as it is or tape it on cardstock and decorate.
    

    

Variations

Cut it up.
Cut your finished piece apart and use only part of it. This sample uses only one of the three pears.

Skip the stamping.
Skip Step 3 and don't stamp an image on the acetate. Use it as a background and layer a cut out image on top, or stamp on it later.

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Acetate & Tissue. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!