I first saw Dicrofibers at a scrapbook convention. Susan Pickering Rothamel from USArtQuest was demonstrating how these fibers can be fused together to create exceptional textures for use on cards, in collages, etc. I was fascinated and immediately purchased the Cottage Garden set. Over time, I even purchased some additional sets. But, like many of my craft supplies, I never got around to using them. I honestly think it was just the fear of jumping in and trying a new technique without someone next to me to help.
The fear is over! With YouTube and DVD’s it’s like having the expert by your side.
Check out the video Susan made to understand how these fibers work. Basically, they come in amazing colors (from earthy to vibrant), you lay a few fibers together, optionally sandwiching some sparkly things (like mica chips or yarn) between layers, press it with an iron, and you’re done! You end up with an amazing flat “sheet” of fibers! You can easily cut out, die cut or punch shapes from the material or just use it “as is.”
Spring has sprung where I live in Columbus, Ohio and this weekend I saw my first butterfly! It’s lacy iridescent wings glittered in the sun. I was reminded of sparkly Dicrofibers and decided to dive in and try to use them in a project. Now that I’ve done it, I don’t know why I waited! They are easy to work with and it’s really quite fun to lift up the parchment paper and see what you get.
I arranged Lily, Periwinkle and Carnation Dicrofibers in the shaped of the bird that’s part of the Spellbinder’s Mix’d Media Elements Die. For fun, I put some opalescent fusible chips between the fibers. I pressed it between parchment paper for 3 seconds using an iron on the silk setting. When I lifted the paper I had this beautiful little piece of fiber! I used the die to cut it. There were some stray fibers so I trimmed those up with scissors. I cut out a small wing by hand from the piece that was left. Add a black rhinestone for the eye and you have the cutest little bird! While I had the die out, I used brown mulberry paper to die cut the branch.
Next I fused some Fern and Blue Iris fibers together with some sparkly gold yarn I got from my mom’s house. I used the Martha Stewart Butterfly Stamp and Punch to punch out three butterflies.
Lastly, I put together a mix of fibers, fused them together and cut out a small “nest” using scissors.
To assemble the card, I first stamped the background image using Hero Arts Antique Writing stamp CG120. I colored the stamp with Tim Holtz Distress Markers, huffed on it and stamped the background. To help give some definition to the butterflies, I stamped them on the background. Then I adhered the Dicrofiber punches with Great Tape. Use pieces of Great Tape to attach the bird, nest and branch too.
The sentiment (TPC Studio Secret Garden) is stamped on craft paper, torn and adhered to the card with brads. Layer than on a card base and you’re done!
The result is a bright, shiny, lacy, blend of fibers that really glisten in the light. I’m amazed out how quick and easy it was to create with Dicrofibers and really encourage you to give it a try! If you watched Sue’s video you saw that you can even use them with a rubber stamp (not clear stamps – only rubber) to create some amazing pieces you can use on cards, scrapbook pages or altered art projects.
I recommend the Dicrofiber bucket because you get a nice range of colors to play with (12 of them!), the parchment paper you use when you press (ok, iron LOL) the fibers together, some opalescent fusible chips and instructions.
For more of my projects, check out my blog on the Create & Craft site. And, if you’re in Columbus, Ohio, stop by The Artist’s Markeplace at Artiscape this Saturday, April 14, 2012. I’ll be there demonstrating USArtQuest products!
Happy Crafting!
Joe
