Technique Time Tuesday's Chalkboard challenge

     This month at Technique Time Tuesday we have issued the 'Chalkboard' challenge. This technique uses dark card, white embossing powder and white ink.
    There is a very good video tutorial on the challenge blog so pop over and take a look, this really is a simple technique with a great effect.
    I found it easier to use acrylic stamps for this although it can be done with rubber, it just takes a little more care when lining up your shadow effect. All these stamps are from the same set. I planned my finished image by laying up the stamps on a large acrylic block and doing a practice stamp on some scrap paper, I had to move a few things around until I was happy with the final image.
    I chose to use black card but any dark colour would work. It's a very good idea to use an anti-static pad before stamping just to make sure there are no 'extra bits' in your design. I used Perfect Medium ink and Cosmic Shimmer True White embossing powder, I also heated from underneath so as not to blow specks of powder into the wrong areas.

    Once I had stamped a couple of copies (always good to have a spare in case of hiccups) I then took each stamp that I wished to shadow and put them on a small block ready to stamp with Brilliance Moonlight White ink. I haven't put shadow on all the words, some looked more 'handwritten' than others and a shadow didn't seem right.  On the bits that I missed or that were not too good I went over them with a Distress Marker Picket Fence which worked really well in covering my imperfections. The only place I've used any colour is on the globe where a little blue chalk has been added for the seas and oceans. The straight lines are drawn with a white gel pen, it seems to round off the image and give it a frame of its own. There are a couple of areas that I've lightly blended with white ink to give the effect of chalk dust so now the odd specks of powder that escaped don't look so out of place.
    I have covered the card blank with some map scrapbook paper, it was quite bold so I've toned it down by blending white ink over it which has given it a hazy look. To finish I have used some kraft card and a ticket stamp to add my sentiment.
    Please pop over and see the other creations by the design team, there's lots of inspiration. I hope you decide to try this technique and join in the challenge. I'll definitely be trying some more cards like this.