Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Using Copper

Hi everyone! 
Today I'm sharing a technique that I've used on a couple of projects (though I can't show pictures of the projects just yet ;) ). 
I have some pieces of copper here that have been "printed" on and thought, "how can I incorporate these on a layout?". I've put together some photo collages to show you a super easy way of making them layout-ready.


1 & 2: So, you can see in pic 1 above, what the copper sheet looked like originally, and in pic 2 you can see that it is kind of raised in places, almost like it's embossed. 
3: I made my 'sandwich' to run it through my Big Shot to flatten it out.
4:Through we go! You'll see I've used a piece of cardboard in my 'sandwich' (which I think they call a shiv - when you use something extra in the 'sandwich'). This just makes the whole thing a bit thicker as it's going through and gives a little more padding to squash down when you're using thin materials.


1: You can see the copper is now completely flat.
2: I cut off the amount I needed, and...
3: ...placed it in a die to cut out some butterfly shapes.
4:Through it goes again, this time without the extra padding. 


1: So, the cuts and embossed patterns can now be seen in the copper. I used scissors to cut a split near the outline of a butterfly, and was then able to pull the shape carefully out. 
2: Here are the butterflies once they've been cut out. Very effective.
3: Next, I used the off-cut from the original piece I flattened, put it in an embossing folder, and ran it through the Big Shot.
4: The copper is now embossed!

Voilà! All done, and ready to use on my next project! 

I hope this has inspired you to try something a little different with things you might have lying around the house. 

Thanks for looking :) 
Catie xx

7 comments :

  1. Love it. It looks like fun and sooooo cool.

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  2. wow it is amazing that when you scrapbook you can use just about anything this is great

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    1. So true Gayle! We have a world of options available to us! Hope this has inspired you to try something different :)

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  3. What an awesome idea Catie! Can't wait to see the finished project.

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  4. I love these. The copper gives them a rustic look that is warm and inviting. I've worked with copper using vinegar to create that greenish tinge some scrapbookers use. They were OK but I like the coloring of these much better. I'm making a scrapbook for my daughter who is about to get married. These match their butterfly theme.

    Brandi Bradley @ Rotax Metals

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