Leap Year Technique of the Week: Adirondack(r) Pigment Ink Stamp Pads

Happy Tuesday! I've not done a Technique of the Week lately, but was itching to play with these Maya Road Sheer Sheets. I'm not sure what Caroline and Deborah initially thought how these should be used, but I instantly looked at these suckers as stencils or masks! So, what I've got here are coordinating Adirondack(r) Pigment Ink Pads in Cloudy Blue/Sail Boat Blue and Denim; I wanted opaque coverage on the watercolor tag that I created from an AccuCut(r) tag die, plus Ink Blending Tools and Foam.

Here's a close-up of one of the Sheer Sheets. At CHA I played with one that is filled with a wonderful collage of butterflies. They also have swirls, stars, hibiscus-like flowers and some hearts n' swirls....they are such a nice and sturdy vinyl (I think vinyl?); the bottom line is that you can really work with these things. They are sturdy. The key to this is to use as a stencil/mask you will need to really hold or use a repositionable adhesive if it's too much of a gorilla for you to hold onto!




Step One: Using the lightest color of pigment ink, load up the foam with the ink (you will have more control doing it this way than direct from the pad as too much ink may "squish" under the Sheer Sheet.


Here's a close-up of the application of the first color. Since I'm my own photographer, I couldn't hold the Sheer Sheet and ink at the same time, so something had to give...! What is important to remember is that you are more or less "pouncing" in an "up and down" motion, applying the ink; NOT in a circular motion as you would when edging cardstock, as you will bend or move the stencil. Trust me on this!







Here's what the finished layer looks like. Now, on its own, this would be great for a nice spring card, Easter card (remember, Easter's early this year!), Baby card, etc. It's a nice bold image that can be overstamped or used as a background for a photo. You get the picture!




Step Two: Okay, now to the next color-the Brights! In this case, Sail Boat Blue. If you have the time, quick mist the Sheer Sheet with water to wash off the first color of pigment ink. It's not a big deal, but just makes less ink transfer to the next color. You can use the same Blending Foam, but if I was going to make a bunch of these, I'd probably have a different foam for each color. Now-the key to this fun look is to move the Sheer Sheet just a bit so it is a little bit off register from the initial ink application.



Here's another close-up to see what it how "off" it needs to be moved to make an impact.







See how great this looks? You can click on the photo and it should open up to the much larger file. In case you can't, here's another close-up!






Step Three: Okay, you know where the next one is going. Repeat what you've done in the previous steps, cleaning off the stencil again, replacing the stencil but moving it AGAIN so that the third layer, the Denim Adirondack Pigment will not overtake the rest of the colors...it's almost going to look like 3-D!








Here's another close-up; again; it's just a subtle layering of color, but in the end, boy does it pop!










See how it looks? Get those crazy 3-D glasses out (no, not really!). I just love the look of all the colors. I've broken this tag down to most simple of finished products, but you can conceivably create an entire 12" x 12" page, then use it for die cuts for title pages, layers for a card or scrapbook page. You can create the look almost old, vintage wall paper by using Distress Inks(tm) (my mind is now thinking of too many things...one at a time!).





For the finished tag, I just stamped a sentiment from Impression Obsession with the Denim Ink (yes, I know I included an Archival Pad on the initial photo, but, what the heck-it's my technique to show and I changed my mind :-)!). With the Ink Blending Foams containing the Cloudy Blue and Sail Boat Blue, ripped the edges around the stamped square and edged it.

I hope you like this technique! Once the Pigment Inks and Sheer Sheets are out, I'd love to see what YOU create!

Inky Hugs, Robin

I'm Dreaming of a Bandanna Christmas, Part One

Bandanna Greetings...you sick of this yet? I'm not...hehehe! Part one of the Christmas Class was last night. Considering everyone left with a basic "kung fu" grip of the white pen in their hand, wanting to doodle and "bandanna" anything not nailed down, I think it was a success. Every one's got their homework (finish embellishing, then "glass and tape"), soldering will be going strong next Tuesday before I leave for vacation-Tim's Holiday Hideaway! The victims, er...students were, from left, Teresa, Michelle, Bonnie, Pattie and Debbie. See? They're still smiling, and that's before I got the pizza!

Everyone decided on the Wrinkle Free Distress Technique as their background, followed by a flurry of stamping and doodling. Debbie did an awesome job of creating monochromatic, primary sets of papers...I just loved them...hence the photo.

While some decided to make gifts for others, I'm so glad that some, such as Patti, decided to do her name for a change. I'm my own worse enemy on things like that (except when it comes to my jewelry!)-god forbid we make something for ourselves, right? So, yay to those that did, but yay for those that are getting some presents under their belts.

Here's a nice before and after of "pre- and post-" doodling as completed by Michelle. She, as do I, loves hearts...most if not all of these are from Hero Arts and are perfect for these types of backgrounds.

Some of my other all-time favorite images are the flourished created by artist Leigh Hannan and some of her designs licensed into stamps by the wonderful Mitra Friant of Impression Obsession. Teresa made some great color combinations. One of the reasons I love to teach these techniques is I learn, too! One combination that Teresa made, I'm dying to do: Broken China and Vintage Photo; it looked like a swirl of water and sand...the best!

For those that have never taken a class with me, my exuberance will show when I see something I like and I think it should be shared. I don't get excited just because I'm teaching...if I love something, I say it. If I don't like something, I won't come out and say it, but I may gently recommend some ideas...in the end, if you understand the technique and like what YOU'VE made, that's all that counts, right?

Well, back to work. I'm home today getting some things done. I had to take the Oliver monster to the vet because of some itchy skin thing...fun, fun, fun. He was giving a shot of cortisone and he should be fine. I was just glad it wasn't mites or other legged things....ick! He tolerated it, as usual! Their office just loves him. He's quite the celebrity because of his famous disappearing needle trick, but, that's for another day.

Also, big furry hugs to one of my best buds, Tammy, who lost her beloved Shar-pei, Bufford suddenly yesterday. I wish I could have just blinked myself (ala Jeannie or Samantha) to Ohio to be there (I'm thinking of you, Tammy!) to give real, rather than internet and phone hugs! As she said, be sure to give hugs to your furry friends today!

Enjoy the day,

Robin