Technique of the Week #2

I was playing one day with a stamp that really hit me when I was teaching at a store. It's from Art Impressions http://artimpressions.com/ (Roses in Vase K-2591). I thought it would be fun to see how many different techniques I could create with this stamp-it is a fun exercise to think "out of the box"!

One of the things I love to push when I teach or when I demo is to not look at a product for what is initially shown it can do. Many times when I'm working with Tim's products (such as the Distress line), I try to show the "girlie Distress" look. Same when I work with Adirondack(r) Alcohol Inks or with Perfect Pearls(tm). It's fun to just play one day with ONE stamp to see how many different techniques or....one TECHNIQUE with as many different stamps that you have. I like to cut up my paper ahead of time into postcard sizes. I can then have fun with that piece of paper without worrying about size, etc. and then I can cut and layer it later for a card or other aspects of a project. Have fun with the technique and not worry about the "finished" piece (if you're under a deadline, this does not apply!)

I'm going to show a few of the samples with this stamp and over the next few weeks give other examples of techniques. For you stampers out there...try this! I'd love to see what you come up with...

"3-D" Stamping: This is a VERY simple and effective example of what can be created with monochromatic tones. This is using the Adirondack(r) Dye Lights, Brights and Earthtones Stamp Pads in one of the new color "trios": Salmon/Mountain Rose/Red Pepper. This works great with a stamp like this that is cut close to the edge of the design. I used Starwhite Vicksburg cardstock, http://foxriverpaper.com which is nice and smooth and not too absorbent. I love it for stamping. Stamp the image again and "hunker down" so you can see where the rubber is near the paper and ready to stamp. line up the rubber as close as you can to the first stamped image. It's okay if it doesn't stamp directly on register-in fact you don't want it to! Repeat again with the darkest color. It's as simple as that. It's fun to do this technique with a sentiment to create the funky, 3-D effect! You can repeat this technique for an Andy Warhol-type effect, creating a fun look for a card or scrapbook page.

Distress(tm) Tinted Image: While most only think to use this idea for photos, as Tim has taught it, don't forget to try it with a stamped image! Be sure to stamp the image onto Inkssentials(tm) Gloss Paper with Archival(tm) Jet Black Stamp Pad. This is a dye ink with a formulation that when the ink is dry, it is waterproof. This is key so that the black ink will not rewet when other inks are layered over it. Use the Cut n' Dry(tm) Nibs (if I've not said this before, these are all Ranger Industries' products I'm talking about! http://rangerink.com) to "color" in the image. I believe Tattered Rose and Worn Lipstick Distress was used for the roses, with Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint for the foliage and Broken China and Faded Jeans for the water. The key is that when done with the coloring in (images like this are like using a coloring book for adults!) to use the Cut n' Dry(tm) Foam or the new Inkssentials(tm) Ink Blending Tool and Foam to cover the entire image with Antique Linen Distress, then edging lightly with Vintage Photo. It makes for a subtle effect that is great for any cardmaking or paper crafting project.

Finally, Tim Holtz' Brushless Watercolor, which is one of my all-time favorites. "Color" the stamp with corners of either the Earthtone or Brights tones of dye pads (The lights are just too pale for this). Don't worry if ink doesn't hit the entire image-water will take care of that. After getting the entire image inked, use the Inkssentials(tm) Mini Mister(tm) to mist the image, positioned level into your hand 2-4 times. Immediately stamp on Watercolor Paper. I like Strathmore's 300 lb Cold Press paper. It's not too bumpy and you don't lose the detail of the stamped image in the texture. It's also heavy enough to handle water. Immediately after stamping, dry the image with the Heatit(tm) Craft Tool. This is also important to do so that you "freeze" the variations of ink and not allow it to soak in and more or less allow the colors to level out. My little added color is to pick up some inks and mix on the Non-Stick Craft Sheet and splotch them onto the image. This just gives the paper enough background so it doesn't appear to be floating into the sky.

Word of the day: splotch (splŏch) n. An irregularly shaped spot, stain, or colored or discolored area. What a great word...can't go wrong with it!

Well, everyone have a great day.

Inky Hugs,

Robin