I am forever cutting out photos that I like for one reason or another, especially since I discovered "shipping tape transfers".  I go to the dollar store to purchase the tape which is approx 1 3/4" wide.  Here is how I do it;

1.  Find a photo you like in a magazine and tear out the page.  Lay it down before you, then reach for your tape.

 

2.  Stick a piece of tape down on your picture, being careful not to get wrinkles.  The tape will want to "grab onto the picture", so it is best to start at one end and slowly roll in onto your page.  You just stick it down over the area of the picture you want transferred.  Then, you cut out around the sides of the tape so that it looks like you have a strip of photo instead of a strip of clear tape.

 

3.  Burnish it by rubbing it with something like a bone folder or the handle of your scissors.  You want to make sure the adhesive on the tape comes in good contact with the picture.  I do this on a hard surface, nothing padded.  Burnishing also helps get all the bubbles and wrinkles out.  

 

4.  Soak it in warm water. Five minutes or so is really good.

 

5.  Reach in and get your transfer.  Holding it over the water, rub the image with your fingers until all the paper is gone.  Keep dipping and rubbing until you see no paper remaining.  This leaves you with just the ink of the photo left on your tape.  It will be almost transparent and will look different with each color you layer it with.  Note:  It is best to use a solid color paper beneath your picture.

 

 

I used 3-D Crystal Lacquer to adhere this particular transfer to the surface.  I put a few drops on the back side of it and used my finger to smooth out the lacquer to cover the entire surface.  It was then weighted down for about 20 minutes to allow for the lacquer to set.  Another way to adhere this to the surface is by using vellum tape.  

I hope you will give  this a try.  It is super easy and my husband was fascinated with the results.  It looks almost like a negative - except it's a positive (if that makes any sense).  You will find an ATC here ("Back In Time") where I used a black and white photo from a magazine.  I mounted the photo on my stippled background and you can see that it shows through the little girl's chest on the right.  I liked the effect, but wanted to point it out to you so that you would be mindful that the transfer ends up being clear in the areas of your photo that have no ink, thus causing the background to be visible.

Supplies;

Shipping Tape:  I get mine at the dollar store but you can also find it at retail chains and office supply facilities.

3-D Crystal Lacquer:  You can purchase that here at Your Rubber Stamp Place.  It comes in two sizes: 2 ounce for $6.50 (this is a starter kit with a fine line nozzle) and  a 4 ounce refill for $7.00.

Vellum Tape: $6.99 per roll and is 1/2" x 400".  It has a paper backing that is easily removed for application.   You can cut or tear off the size piece you need.  The glue in this tape is formulated to disappear on most vellums.   This item is available here also.

 

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