Is it an Illusion? It is Rowlux® Illusion Film!

Hello Friends!  Hope you are having an awesome Summer!  It is going by fast, but the warm weather should stay with us for a while yet.  I love it!  Summer weather was the inspiration for the cards I created here as it makes me think of water and sunshine.  

Today I am featuring some cardmaking using a product new to the craft industry called Rowlux® Illusion Film.  It comes in a diverse range of spectacular eye-catching colors and patterns.  These durable, translucent, 12" x 12" polycarbonate sheets add instant pizzazz to craft projects, seasonal accents, jewelry, gifts and a plethora of other projects.  "Whatever the mind can conceive and perceive it can achieve!"  I didn't think that saying up, but I have practiced and believed it for many years!

For these projects I needed the following supplies:

* Rowlux®Illusion Film in 12"x 12" sheets:  Aqua Serpentine, Clear Serpentine, Gold Moire, Dark Blue Sea Glass  (Available at Amazon)

* Cricut Expression Machine (or other die-cut machine)

* Cricut Cuttlebug for embossing and small dots template (optional)

* Cricut Cartridge: Artiste by Close To My Heart (Celestial die-cuts)

* Cardstock:  Honey, Colonial White by Close To My Heart

* Embellishments:  Green & Blue Epoxy Bubbles by Close To My Heart

* Rubber stamp:  A Flowering Bunch SOM by Close To My Heart

* Ink:  Indian Corn Blue by Close To My Heart

* Paper Cutter

* Scissors

* Glue Gun and low melt glue sticks

Each notecard measures 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".  I embossed the card to give it a little more texture.

The card pictured above is basically the same as the first one shown with a little addition.  I cut a rectangle of clear Serpentine Rowlux®Illusion Film slightly smaller than the Aqua rectangle.  I cut a piece of off-white cardstock the same size as the clear film.  I stamped the image on the cardstock, then used low-melt glue along the side edges to adhere the two rectangles. I glued the stamped image to the front of the card as shown.  The message looks like it is under water!  Cool!

I loved the celestial look of the die-cut shape made from the Gold Moire Rowlux®Illusion Film.  I decided to pair it with the Dark Blue Sea Glass for a different effect.  I created the card below the same as the "Thank-you" card pictured above only changed up the position on the card.  When adhering the Rowlux®Illusion film to the paper; apply a small amount of glue along the outside edges or in a place it will be hidden.  (The hot glue will diminish the optical effects and will be visible due to the translucent nature of the material so use it sparingly!)
I applied a tiny dot of hot glue to the top point of the celestial piece and to the bottom point.  After adhering to the card; I applied an adhesive Epoxy Bubble to hide the glue.

Here is a closer view of the card. 

Below, I have included pictures of my first cardmaking attempts using the Rowlux® Illusion Film.  I was trying out my die-cutting machine with the film and wanted to see how it did.  It cut very nicely.  I used my regular blade and put it on maximum pressure.  The Cricut Artiste cartridge has mass quantities of die-cut shapes to work with but I chose some simple shapes.  Again, I used the embossing machine to see how the Illusion Film would emboss, and it worked like a charm!  I had fun experimenting with layering and created the cards and bookmarks pictured below.  Just die-cut shapes and my embossing machine!  Some pearl embellishments finished them up.  Hopefully these visuals will help you get started creating with this great new product!  The possibilities are endless!

Enjoy some more great ideas by clicking on the Designer Craft Connection Link and see what the other designers have come up with.

Happy Crafting!

Marilyn

Rowlux® Illusion Film

Creative Hearts Workshop - July 2013

Happy July!  

This is the month that we celebrate our nation's freedom and the big day will be here very shortly!  Sometimes we tend to take things for granted, and since it is on my mind, I just want to say how much I love and appreciate the brave men and women that make it possible for us to stay free.  I, for one, have lived a blessed life. Being a "Baby Boomer" I was born in a time of peace, but then came the Vietnam war, the assassination of President Kennedy and the turbulent 60's.  In spite of all that, there was always the underlying rock of respect for our elders and teachers, fear (love) of God, and a great work ethic..(you don't work, you don't eat).  It was a simpler time, and though not perfect, I have lots of good memories that can be calming as changing winds blow in this fast paced world we now live in.

So!  I am  stepping down from my soap box and I will get on with what I came on here to blog about today.  I hold a workshop once a month, each featuring a paper collection from Close To My Heart.  I love the fact that the collections are all picked out with matching embellishments and all I have to do is order and create!  The new catalog was just revealed at this year's convention and there are some exciting new things to be introduced by August. I will be sharing more about those later!  (Excited!)

Tommy papers are being featured in my July workshop.  I created a set of four cards that will fit nicely in a matching decoupaged wooden box.  The Tommy papers are a nautical theme, perfect for Summer.

The dimensional embellishments on the cards are fashioned by adhering the canvas stickers to cardstock then cutting each out, leaving a 1/8" border.  I used dimensional adhesive dots to give a 3-D effect.  So bright and cheery!

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I hope to see my usual bunch at the workshop! Thank you for stopping by.  If you ever have any questions, please feel free to message me.  I am happy to share!

HAVE A HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Marilyn

"Hook it Up" with CraZy TACKz!