Color Wash Faux Bleach

by Sherry Cheever

Create a faux bleached look by spraying Color Wash sprays over embossed images.

Supplies

  • Silhouette Image Stamp

  • White Shipping Tag (alternative – White Cardstock)

  • Ranger Adirondack Stream, Red Pepper and Butterscotch Color Wash (alternatives to Color Wash sprays: Glimmer Mist, Alcohol inks, Liquid RIT Dye)

  • Embossing Ink

  • Clear Embossing Powder

  • Craft Iron

  • Paper Towel

  • Non-Stick Craft Sheet (optional)

  • White Printer Paper

Step-by-Step

  1. Step 1

    Stamp silhouette images on tag with emboss ink.

    Pour clear embossing powder over image, tap off excess, and emboss with heat tool.

  2. Step 2

    Place embossed tag on paper towel and spray with various colors of Adirondack Color Wash.

  3. Step 3

    Place wet ink tag between printer paper and iron with craft iron set on highest setting (no steam).

  4. Iron tag until the embossed image appears on printer paper and the embossing powder is absorbed into the printer paper.

    Note: if paper sticks, re-heat areas with iron.

  5. Step 4

    Finish your project.

Video!

Your Turn

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

Questions and Comments

We'd love to get your feedback or questions. Leave your comment below.

Hi,

Thanks to all who share such great projects!

I am a newbie to card making and I have so much to learn..

What does color wash faux bleach mean?

Can you use any craft paints with this technique?

Thank you!
Kathy  |  Thu Jan 1, 2009 at 2:04 AM
Sherry,
Can I make my own color wash from acrylic paints? I have every color and need to use them before they dry out!! This would be another great way to use them.
semajrn  |  Thu Jan 1, 2009 at 2:28 AM
To answer about the acrylic paints and/or craft paints, I don't know. The great thing about this technique is that you can use a variety of medium. I haven't tried the paints, but I used sprays or alcohol inks. Try it and experiment . . . that's the fun part!!
Sherry Cheever  |  Thu Jan 1, 2009 at 4:44 AM
Just a note... if you plan to use your regular iron. You can (and probably will) get embossing powder and ink on it. The easy solution is to cover your iron in heavy duty foil before you start. It seldom rips, it conducts heat, it's removable, and disposable. Be sure to keep the foil smooth as you wrap your iron.

The difference between a regular iron and a craft iron, is mainly the steam (and steam holes). For some craft applications, the holes can really change (or even ruin) the effect. You also want a dry iron for most crafts (no steam). Other than that, there are different sizes and styles, some have temperature control and some don't, and one may get hotter than another. Have fun!
billiejo  |  Thu Jan 1, 2009 at 6:08 AM
Sooooo cool Mz Sherry!!! Can't wait to try it! smile
Bev  |  Thu Jan 1, 2009 at 7:14 AM
This is a wonderful technique and I love decorating tags. I have also done a similar thing by rubbing disresss ink pads on a craft sheet, spritzing them with water, and rubbing the tag into the ink. If you heat quickly w/heat gun, the colors pretty much stay where you want them. Now I have a pile of decorated tags and need to come up with a way to use them! Thanks for all your wonderful tutorials!
Maureen Chandler  |  Thu Jan 1, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Very nice. I think even I can do it. thanks for the idea.
Paula  |  Thu Jan 1, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Thank you for a BEAUTIFUL tutorial! I learned a ton from you, but also from other thoughtful and helpful comments.
Pam  |  Thu Jan 1, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Oh my gosh...this is gorgeous! I don't have any of those colour washes but you've given me a good reason to shop today! Great tutorial Sherry!
Dawn Easton  |  Fri Jan 2, 2009 at 4:43 AM
Very pretty! I like the idea of the shimmer mist. I have some Pearlescent Liquid Acrylic I've never used that might just be perfect for the wash!
Bobbie Weinbaum  |  Sat Jan 3, 2009 at 6:34 AM
ok, but stamping with bleach on solid stamps and stamping with bleach at all does give a really different effect, u can get an inkpad called castaway if ur to afraid using the bleach but i have tested with one stamp on a long long amount of time that it does Not have any effect on the rubber. on clear stamp i havent dare trying yet but using coloured paper and stamping with household bleach ( i didnt like the castaway) is a fun technice i think.

and what does this faux de means; is it just a cheat doing bleach,lol
nina  |  Sat Jan 3, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Ok now I'm really impressed. I used to do a technique like this using water color with my art students. Thanks
Bonnie
Bonnie Epps  |  Mon Jan 5, 2009 at 5:50 PM
What a lovely card. I love this idea. I have done bleach stamping but it smells so nasty.
This is a better idea.
Cynthia
Cynthia  |  Tue Jan 6, 2009 at 8:27 PM
Very nice! Haven't tried this technique yet, it looks like fun.
CRAFTY-LIZ  |  Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 4:39 AM
Love this technique. I'm going to give it a try this weekend! TFS! : )
Barbara Wolffe-Gayoso  |  Wed May 13, 2009 at 5:40 AM
if you really want it to wash out definitely, don't do black or black browns. also, use loreal colorspa actif. it's harder to find but is usually at rite aid. it washes out completely, but sometimes it takes 2months.fax supplies if it's not washing out y the time you're tired of it get a clarifying shampoo or use laundry detergent once a week when washing your hair (and a good conditioner, leave the conditioner in for 3mins afterwards). this will remove it faster.
janessa  |  Sun Oct 4, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Thank you so much! Now I know how to do this technique!! Wow, I can't wait to try it!
Conrae  |  Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 2:13 PM
Unfortunately, I cannot find Adirondack color washes. Is it possible to make a spray out of ordinary acrylic art paint just by diluting it with water? I love this technique and would like to try to use the supplies I have on hand.
semajrn  |  Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 2:32 PM
I cannot find Adirondack color washes in my local craft shops.(Michaels & ACMoore). I live in the Philadelphia Pa. area. Is it possible to make my own color wash sprays by diluting ordinary acrylic paint with water? I would like to duplicate this technique by using the supplies I have on hand.
semajrn  |  Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 2:38 PM
semajrn the color wash is more like a dye than paint. You could use Rit Dye or even water based reinkers (as I showed on the video).
Sherry Cheever a/k/a BadSherry  |  Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 2:45 PM

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The Author

Sherry enjoys Walking on the Bad Side and stamping beautifully in Indiana.

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