THC: 10 step ATC challenge #14

You will send one partner one ATC which you make using the following steps. Some steps require specific TH material to be used and are in bold text so be sure you have them!

If you have any pointers/comments/suggestions on this swap I always welcome them!

1 Find ~5"x7" (specific sizes needed are in step 2 & 3) piece of paper that will permanently change color when heated. I came across mine on accident and am happy to share if you need some, just pm me. I am no expert on paper so it may take some trial and error on your part. You certainly don't need to go broke buying thermochromic paper but that is always an option. I think that this will work on very cheap cardstock that is not acid free, some receipt paper will turn black when heated, cheap construction paper, some printed newspaper inserts/ads, even some newspaper and vintage paper will at least turn brown when heated.
I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO SHARE MY CHEAP CARDSTOCK THAT TURNS FROM PURPLE TO PINK TO SORTA GRAY WHEN HEATED, JUST PM ME WITH YOUR ADDRESS!

2 From your ~5"x7" sheet, cut a 2.5"x3.5" piece and set the piece aside.

3 Also cut a 2"x3" piece from the 5"x7" sheet..

4 Find either a single or multiple TH Stampers Anonymous stamps to use that will cover nearly all of the 2"x3" piece of paper.

5 Use any type of ink that you want to stamp the image(s) on to your 2x3 paper.

~Warning: you may want to practice step 6 on your scraps...

6 Then apply any coordinating color TH Distress Embossing powder and heat to set.

A couple pointers: - Distress embossing powder doesn't melt like other powders. When it is set it will have a matte appearance. It also won't burn or get too hot like most powders so you can put a lot of heat to it and most likely your paper will burn before the powder does.
- Practice on a scrap paper first.
- To speed up the embossing, hold your 2x3 piece in the air with one hand and heat tool in the other when you heat to set.
- To slow down the embossing process, keep your 2x3 piece on your heat stable surface while heating. - Practice on a scrap paper first.
- If your paper turns lighter when heated use a darker embossing powder.
- If your papers turns darker when heated use a lighter embossing powder.
- Practice on a scrap paper first.
- While you're embossing try to apply more heat to certain areas and less to others so that you get a faded look. - Practice on a scrap paper first! :-P

Results will of course vary depending on the type of paper you have.

7 Once you're happy with the results, mount the 2x3 piece in the center of the 2.5x3.5. This should show a contrast of before and after.

8 Use a blending tool to ink lightly around the edges of your ATC with any coordinating color distress ink or distress oxide ink.

9 I am not sure what, if anything, will protect the color integrity of your paper or what most people would have on hand. But I think all we can do is try to coat it with something. Therefore, use your finger or a paintbrush to apply any type of sealant over everything but your embossed image.

10 Attach a sturdy backing to your ATCs which includes at least the ATC title, your username, and date. Send your ATC to your partner.

I hope to host more of these but need to know what TH products everyone owns, so please comment on this thread.

If you have any questions, sending a pm is the quickest way to reach me. I do try to check for comments on my swaps but sometimes I am not timely :-/

If there any issues with your partner following steps please inform @choke before rating down. I think it is common sense that there is always a chance that the steps were misinterpreted so some graciousness should be allowed here.

As always I will angel if you are flaked on but only if you have rated your partner a 1.