Tips & Variations: Faux Chalkboard Technique

Hello, friends!  Hope you're playing along this month with our FAUX CHALKBOARD challenge!  We've got some tips and variations for you that might help you complete this technique in a more efficient manner and give you a better result!

Mynn says:

1. Use an embossing buddy or other static remover before embossing your sentiments/images.
2. Create interest by die cutting your panel instead of using a square or rectangle.
3. After you stamp with white ink and it's dry, color some in with a colored pencil for a bit of color.
4. Use a different color dark cardstock--a nice deep green is reminiscent of the old fashioned chalkboards from oh so long ago. ;)
5. Instead of a whole board, do just a small portion of your card in this technique.  It really POPS!

Here's a card I've made to show you 

some of these tips/variations in action~

And here are some more fabulous tips from the rest of the DT! :)

Julz suggests:

1. Don't forget to "dust" your edges with some white ink for that chalky look.
2. Add small touches of color & sparkle.
3. PLAN, PLAN, PLAN - I cannot stress this enough!  You must plan your layout ahead of time.  Trust me - it will save you the headache later when things don't work out. :)

Rocky adds:

1. It's much easier to align the shadow with acrylic stamps because you can see what you're doing!
2. Distress Marker Picket Fence is perfect for drawing in the shadow freehand, just in case you missed a bit.
3. If your acrylic block is big enough you can plan the whole layout before you stamp.

Adrienne tells about an easier way out:

1.  I took the "cheaters" version...DCWV makes a stack of Chalkboard papers, comes in a           variety of colors including black and green.
2.  I used white chalk ink and on a few of my images I stamped it twice, offset a bit to get the messy shadow effect.
3. You can use colored pencils on the DCWV paper to add extra embellishment, I used a blue pencil that left an opaque rather than a sheer finish.

Karen P. recommends: 

1. Smother the piece of card/paper with your embossing buddy.  If you haven't got an embossing buddy you can use talcum powder or corn flour - I think the Americans call that corn starch. 
2. A white Coloursoft pencil works beautifully on black paper or card. 
3. Practise on an old piece or scrap first with just one image/sentiment.  Once you are confident that you can do the technique and want to make a multiple sentiment/image topper make a sketch first.  Then practise with dye ink on scrap before going to black or dark card.

I hope you take some time to check out the original challenge post and watch the tutorial video then create something for us!  We LOVE seeing all the wonderful and creative projects that you make for us!  HUGS and happy crafting! :)