Tutorial - Antique China

There are many ways to achieve a distressed or aged-look in paper crafting, from smoking the surface of the paper to tearing along the edges. The technique I'm demonstrating in this tutorial uses multiple layers of UTEE (ultra thick embossing enamel) to give a cracked and crazed surface much like you'd find on an old china plate or platter.

I started by printing and colouring an image from the Precious Memories digital stamp set. I've used a no-line colouring technique to make it look more like a hand-painted design. If you'd prefer, you can use markers or even a pre-coloured image.

Apply versa mark directly onto the image by patting the ink pad all over the paper. Make sure the ink pad is clean before you start so you don't end up with marks everywhere.

Dip the image into the UTEE powder, then heat set with an embossing tool.

Don't worry if you end up with a splotchy result from the UTEE melting unevenly across the image, we'll be applying more layers of UTEE until the surface is smooth and glassy.

Add more versa mark to the surface of your image, apply more UTEE and heat until melted. From this point, you can actually dip the hot image into the UTEE powder to add more between melts. Be very careful not to touch the heated UTEE or you may sustain burns.

Repeat until the surface of your image is smooth and glassy and you have a thick layer of embossing medium.

Once the image is completely cool, we're going to carefully crack the embossing using a snapping motion with your fingers. Don't be too rough and don't over work any one place or you may find the embossing comes away from the paper. If you find the card stock is too flexible to crack, it may help to place it in the freezer for a few minutes 

I rubbed some brown ink over the surface of my image to accentuate the cracks and give an aged look to the finished piece. Be aware that the ink can stain the surface of the embossing so take care with how much you use.

Stamps: