Technique of the Week: "Score" with Solid Stamps by Marj Marion

This technique was shared with me by Sue Moffat, former staff member and a great friend of Art ’n Soul and me!  Thanks, Sue, for letting me share it in our weekly email and on our blog.

Supplies:  Nice, smooth card stock, a Score Board Tool, solid style rubber stamps, Distress Oxide Inks and assorted embossing powders and bling.

by Marj Marion

Step 1.  Place your cardstock in a scoring tool (I like the Martha Stewart ones, either large or small). 

For this first sample, I chose to score every 3/4”……both horizontally and vertically.

Step 2.  Place your scored cardstock in your MISTI with the score lines that are “depressed” facing up. Position your solid stamp in one corner, and ink up with desired Oxide ink. Press somewhat firmly to transfer the ink, but not TOO hard. You want the ink to show in the resulting raised “squares” between your score lines, but if you press too hard, the ink will sink down into the depressed score lines, and you want these score lines to remain un-inked.

Step 3.  Repeat the stamping if you need more ink for a complete image; don’t press harder, just add more ink. Then, clean the stamp, and repeatedly reposition it so you cover the entire scored card stock panel with stamped images. It’s fun to use a wide variety of inks, and use your creativity in selecting your colors.

Step 4.  Trim your panel to fit your desired card size, and stamp a message in coordinating ink if you want a message on your card. Mount your decorated panel to a coordinating colored panel, and then to your card, add your message, and a ribbon if desired. You will love the silk ribbons at Art ’n Soul because you can add a bow without a lot of bulk.

I used Magenta 07.700 G —“Life is Art” and Magenta C 42.111K—Solid Roses in this first card.

Step 5.  You can vary this technique by scoring your paper with different widths……and make even or uneven measurements between your score lines.

by Marj Marion

This card shows uneven scoring, with Magenta CL 0354 I —flower, and Magenta 21.036 B—Bubble for the circle over-stamped in the middle of the flowers. All inks were Distress Oxide. The small pink dots were made by pressing the end of a poker tool in ink, and “stamping” with it. If you ink your stamps well, you can do this technique without a MISTI…..just apply lots of ink from a well inked pad, and press with medium pressure.

by Marj Marion

Step 6. The above example shows a 3/4” even scoring pattern,  Magenta 85.012 K —Solid flower with Abandoned Coral Oxide ink, embossed with clear powder. I added black sparkle sticker paper die cut with Hero Arts DC 151 Stamp and Cut, and stars cut with a hand held punch.  A double bow of twine adds more interest.

by Marj Marion

Step 7. My last sample shows 1”  even scoring, with Magenta 41.073 J—Branch Silhouette.  I used Twisted Citron Oxide ink and embossed with Judikins Iridescent Sparkle Embossing Powder.  The little flower stamp is Magenta C 0616 B, stamped with assorted Oxide inks.

Have fun with this technique, and bring in your creations to show us!

What's New at Art 'n Soul

Pam's mini class is almost here!!

Sunday, July 30th, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. "MINI CLASS - CHRISTMAS IN JULY” – Pam Nelson $5 cash or store credit

by Pam Nelson

Do you want to get an early start on your holiday cards? Drop by the store any time between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to make this fun card featuring a new die from Memory Box’s holiday release. Pam will show you how to use two colors of glitter to make a shiny, yet easy, card. Please bring your double sided adhesive and fine tip glue applicator, if you have them.

We will be opening the Memory Box/Poppy catalog in conjunction with this class! The newest collection from Memory Box and Poppy is Holiday and Christmas, and there are some beautiful new dies that you are going to love!

Ranger is finally shipping our first order of the Tim Holtz platforms! They are in New Jersey, so it will be about a week before we receive them, and we are so excited to finally get these into our hands. Unfortunately we have sold all of the initial ones we ordered, but we will be ordering more. If you don't have to have it immediately, please order through us.

 

We also want to thank all of you who have ordered the platforms and other new items through us. We know that some people may have been able to get them faster from an online company. We can't compete with them, and really appreciate your loyalty and patience more than you know. You keep us going!

Rubber Moon will be here on Monday and Tuesday!

There are still some spots left in Kae Pea's classes. Come by and see the samples in person and sign up, or sign up by phone with your credit card.

Monday, July 31st, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. "STENCIL pARTy!" – Kae Pea of Rubbermoon $50
Photo is not necessarily exact creation you will make, but is representative of techniques you will use.

by Kae Pea

Explore a myriad of stencil, stamp and mixed media techniques to create awesome journal pages and canvas or paper paintings. We will create numerous pages and one 8 x 10 canvas. NEW CLASS! 

Monday, July 31st, 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. "ART ON THE BLOCK" – Kae Pea of Rubbermoon $50
Photo is not necessarily exact creation you will make, but is representative of techniques you will use.

by Kae Pea

In this super fun class we will create some wonderful pieces of art using wood blocks as a substrate. Not only will we be using recycled Materials, We will be playing with a variety of Mediums, Including paper collage, acrylic paint, Gesso, inks and Stamps. This class will give you the knowledge and tons of inspiring ideas for future projects too!

Tuesday, August 1st, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. "LET’S PAINT THE TOWN" – Kae Pea of Rubbermoon $65
Photo is not necessarily exact creation you will make, but is representative of techniques you will use.

by Kae Pea

by Kae Pea

In this awesome class we will use stamps, magazine pages and gel prints to create amazing collaged cityscapes full of whimsy and wonder. We will work on flat panel or board to create an 8 x10 piece. NEW CLASS

Student supplies for Rubbermoon classes: Basic kit including scissors and pencil; Paintbrushes (recommend brushes that are good for mixed media #6 or#8 round and #12 or #14 bright); Tim Holtz collage brush 1.25"; Brayer; Black and/or Grey Archival ink pad; a few colors of acrylic paints* (student grade tube acrylics such as Liquitex basics, NOT Fluid or high flow); a few Pan Pastels*; a few colors of radiant watercolor concentrates*; A couple of black Micron Pens (.02 recommended); Black Sharpie fine; paper towels; baby wipes; water spray bottle. *note: Kae Pea will be bringing items to share, but it helps if each student has a few of their own to cut down on sharing time and also so that you have your favorite colors to use.

Don't forget that next weekend, August 5th and August 6th are the next Recycled Rubber weekend! The last day to bring things in for the sale is Wednesday, August 2nd. We have a link at the top of this blog for our Recycled Rubber guidelines if you are interested in bringing things in for the sale, and have not done so before.

We have heard that someone is going to bring in some card racks, and also House Mouse stamps. We are amazed at how much has already been brought in. It's going to be a big one, so don't miss it!

To see the latest copy of our newsletter, please click here. To see our calendar, please click here.

Technique of the Week: Acrylic Block Stamping Revisited by Pam Nelson

This week’s technique revisits an old favorite – applying inks to acrylic blocks and then stamping on watercolor paper.  I was inspired to try this when I saw Jennifer McGuire’s idea which you can see at her blog here.

Since I’ve started using my MISTI (and hopefully soon, the Tim Holtz stamping platform!), I don’t use my acrylic blocks very often.  This technique seemed like the perfect reason to start using them again.

As you will see in Jennifer McGuire’s post, this technique will work with any water-soluble ink.  I tried it first with regular Distress Inks and really liked the results.  Then I decided to try it with the new Oxide Inks and the fun really began!  I discovered that I really liked using my larger acrylic blocks which enabled me to make background pieces so that is what I’m showing you today.

I started by cutting a piece of watercolor paper to 4 ¼” by 5 ½” and placing it smooth side up on my craft mat.  I selected the 5” x 6 ½” block from the Tim Holtz Acrylic Stamping Grid Blocks set because by using a block that was larger that my piece of watercolor paper I wouldn’t have any border lines on my finished piece. 

I randomly applied four different colors of Oxide inks – Worn Lipstick, Wilted Violt, Broken China and Cracked Pistachio to the acrylic block by swiping the inkpad directly onto the smooth side of the block.  

I sprayed it liberally with water, turned it over and centered it over the piece of watercolor paper.  Note:  you can use the smooth or textured side of the paper.  I used the smooth side because I planned to stamp on the finished piece.  You can also get a fun background by applying the ink to the grid side of the acrylic block.

Use your fingers to apply pressure to the acrylic block to move the colors around.  This creates some fun blends and patterns.  Place something heavy, like a paperweight or jar, on top of the block and let it set for about five minutes to allow the paper to absorb the colors.  The amount of blending you achieve is determined by the amount of water you use – I played around with several different pieces of paper, using different color combinations and amounts of water. 

One word here about color choices.  You want to be mindful of the color wheel because you can muddy your colors by placing complementary colors (colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel) side by side in this technique.  For example, putting a color in the red family next to a color in the green family will create a “muddy” result. 

Lift the acrylic block from the paper and use a paper towel to dab up any puddles of water.  Set aside to dry, or use a heat gun to dry your paper.

After you remove the acrylic block from the paper there will still be ink on the block.  You can spray this again and place it on another piece of paper.  The end result will be lighter since there is less ink on the block, but the results are equally beautiful.

To finish up my card, I cut the background piece to 4” x 5 ¼”.  I stamped this fun Penny Black sentiment, “365 Days” (3944H) in the lower right corner with Black VersaFine Ink then embossed it with clear embossing powder to make it stand out.  I die cut the upper left corner using the Poppy Stamps “Atessa Collage” (1805). 

I adhered a piece of 4 ¼” x 5 ½” So Silk Glamour Green paper to the front of an A2 card.  I wanted to give the card some dimension so I placed several strips of foam tape on the back of the watercolor piece, trimming some to fit around the edges.  I adhered that to the front of the card, and applied some sequins.  For the last step I put a drop of Nuvo White Blizzard in the center of each sequin for a bit of sparkle.

This technique is really fun!  I created several pieces of background paper while “playing” with this technique.  Now I have pieces that will be great for stamping and die cutting.  I hope you will give it a try.  You can see the completed card at Art ‘n Soul.  

I created this card using regular Distress Inks for the background (Spun Sugar, Shaded Lilac, Tumbled Glass, Squeezed Lemonade, Dried Marigold and Shabby Shutters), plus a the Poppy Stamp Ragged Daisy Die (#1842), Memory Box Pinpoint Double Frame (99765) and Memory Box stamp Birthday Sentiments (CL5211).

I created these pieces with colors from the second release of Distress Oxide colors.  I’d already completed this week's card when the inks arrived but I couldn’t wait to play with them. 

We’ll be doing another order of all 24 of the Oxide ink colors so if you haven’t purchased any of these wonderful inks yet, stop by the store.  We’d love to show you why everyone is crazy about this latest Tim Holtz product.  

Technique of the Week: Easy Inlay by Dianne Johnson

I got the idea for this technique from Jennifer McGuire's blog. She's always thinking up easier ways to do complicated things, and we like that!

I thought it would be fun to show this technique using Yupo paper and alcohol ink. I wanted to show how you can die-cut Yupo paper with beautiful results.

For this technique I chose a Poppy die 1840 Gentle Leaf Collage, and the Magenta stamp 07.928.I With Sympathy. 

I applied alcohol ink to a piece of Yupo paper, using the same technique shown here. I wanted to show that you can also die cut the Yupo paper, although it can't be torn. For this piece I used some of my favorite new colors of alcohol ink, Amethyst, Limeade, Valencia, and Turquoise.

In planning my design, first I cut the die out of white paper and placed the Yupo paper colored with alcohol inks behind it. It was pretty, but I wanted the colors of the alcohol ink piece to show up more, and I needed more space for my sentiment.

I put the die onto another piece of white cardstock onto my cutting plates and placed the sentiment where I wanted it. I moved the die around until I thought there would be plenty of room for both; then removed the stamp before running the die through with the white cardstock.

I then arranged my die on the Yupo paper. My goal was for the die to cut through the Yupo paper, but for all the pieces to remain in the paper.

I looked carefully at the back of the Yupo paper, with the die still stuck to the other side. It looked like it all cut through.
Leaving the cut pieces in the Yupo paper, I then carefully placed the front of the white cut out onto the back of the Yupo paper so that they matched up perfectly.

Working on the back of the white die cut piece that is lined up on the Yupo paper, I adhered scor tape to the entire area of the die cut opening.

The effect of this is that there will be adhesive facing through all of the holes in the front of the die cut opening.

Once the back was completely covered, I flipped it over to the front, and the die is still attached to it.

I poked a sharp tool through all of the holes in the back of the die to ensure that the Yupo paper would release from the die.
As I peeled the die carefully away from the Yupo paper, it revealed that the die cut pieces were still in place, and this is what you want. If any pieces fall out (two of mine did), place them back in their spaces. I pressed the colored Yupo side very firmly.

Since I put adhesive on the back of the white panel that is positioned right behind the Yupo panel, all of the die cut pieces in the Yupo panel stuck to that adhesive. The Yupo pieces only stuck where there was adhesive facing through the die cut.

I carefully peeled the Yupo panel off of the white panel underneath, and the die cut pieces of Yupo paper stayed behind, stuck to the adhesive. If any of them tried to peel up with the Yupo panel, I pressed them down with my sharp tool, so that they all stayed behind, stuck to the scor tape.

The white panel has the Yupo pieces beautifully inlaid into the die cut holes, and I have a beautiful Yupo panel that I can use on another card.

I placed the panel into my MISTI to stamp the sentiment, but first I wanted to stamp it onto a piece of grid paper to ensure that it was perfectly straight. After I did all of this work, I didn't want any mistakes at the end.

With the first stamping, the sentiment did not stamp all the way. It took a number of stampings to get it all stamped and I found myself wishing I had used the Creative Corners for the MISTI. Sometimes when you stamp close to the edges some stamps do not stamp well there.

Although I finally got the sentiment stamped correctly, I got a little smudge in the upper right hand corner. I used a Mono Sand eraser to take that out, with no damage to the cardstock. We do sell these erasers at the shop and I highly recommend getting one for your kit.

I hope you will give this technique a try! It's much easier to do it than explain it! It really is much easier than trying to individually place each die cut piece by hand.

To see step by step photos of this technique, please go to my Backporch blog here.

WHAT'S NEW AT ART 'N SOUL:

The second set of Distress Oxide colors are scheduled to be delivered on Wednesday, July 19. We have been taking pre-orders, and they are selling very quickly. Call us to make a paid order and reserve yours.

Ranger has told us that the new Tim Holtz Stamp Platform will start being shipped as soon as they receive them, and they expect them any day. We are taking paid pre-orders for these Platforms, and they are selling very quickly. If you want one, call or come by to reserve yours.

We just received a shipment from our distributor, with lots of things, including scor tape, specialty Deco foils, Nuvo drops, Mono Sand erasers, alcohol inks, Yupo paper and much more!

Pam has scheduled the newest mini class! 
Sunday, July 30^th, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. "MINI CLASS - CHRISTMAS IN JULY” – Pam Nelson $5 cash or store credit

by Pam Nelson

Do you want to get an early start on your holiday cards? Drop by the store any time between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to make this fun card featuring a new die from Memory Box’s holiday release. Pam will show you how to use two colors of glitter to make a shiny, yet easy, card. Please bring your double sided adhesive and fine tip glue applicator, if you have them.

We will be opening the Memory Box/Poppy catalog in conjunction with this class! The newest collection from Memory Box and Poppy is Holiday and Christmas, and there are some beautiful new dies that you are going to love!

For all the news on classes and events at Art 'n Soul, you can link to our latest email newsletter here. There is a link above on this blog for our calendar, or you can link to it here. Come in and see us soon!

Technique of the Week: Copic Markers on Vellum by Pam Nelson

This week’s technique combines Copic markers and vellum to create a very soft image.  The stamped image is colored on the back of the side of the vellum.  The translucence of the vellum softens the colors from the Copic markers and provides a much different look than you get when you color on the front of the image.

To begin I selected one of my favorite stamps from Magenta’s last release, Apple Blossom Bouquet (14.655.P.)  I cut a piece of lightweight vellum to 4” x 5 ¼” and placed it in my MISTI. 

Use a powder tool over the surface of the vellum to eliminate any static then stamp the image using VersaMark ink.  Remove the stamped image from the MISTI, sprinkle White Diamond Embossing Powder over the entire image then tap off the excess. 

Before starting to heat the image to melt the embossing powder, let your heat gun warm up for 20-30 seconds.  The key to embossing vellum is to keep your heat tool moving at all times and also move from the front of the image to the back of the image.  I have found that heating it from both sides, while keeping the heat tool moving, heats the image evenly and keeps the paper from warping.

For this image I selected a variety of Copic Markers in greens, oranges and pinks.  I found that the darker colors showed through the vellum a bit better because of the translucence of the vellum.  However, I encourage you to try different colors to see what you like.

BE SURE TO BEGIN ON THE BACK OF YOUR IMAGE.  It’s very easy to start coloring on the front.  Just remember to feel for the texture of the embossed image to tell the front from the back.

The back side of the image after the leaves were colored.

The front side of the image after the leaves were colored.

I began with the leaves and used short brush strokes to put the color down.  Copic markers react differently on vellum than on cardstock because the ink can’t be absorbed into the vellum, it must evaporate.   However, that’s also an advantage because after the ink has dried, you can color over it and the dried color will be reactivated.

Rather than using brushstrokes to color and blend colors, you can also make a series of small dots, close together to put color down.  This creates an interesting texture when you look at the card from the front.  After the leaves are completed, move on to the flowers.  Look at your card from the front periodically to see if the color is dark enough.

The back side of the completed image.

The front side of the completed image.

You don’t have to be extra careful to stay within the lines with this technique.  If you do go outside the lines, the embossed lines provide a bit of forgiveness.  If you do go outside the line of the embossed lines you can use a Copic Colorless Blender to remove it.  (A bit of  alcohol ink blending solution, or 91% rubbing alcohol on a tiny applicator also works.)

I planned to use two of the new dies from the recent Poppy Stamps release, Little Luxe Hello (#1819) and Tailored Stitches (#1788) on the front of my card, but I wanted them to complement the stamped image.  I created a piece of glittery card stock by covering a piece of scrap white cardstock with VersaMark and then sprinkling White Diamond Embossing Powder over the top.  After heat setting it, I let it cool for a few minutes before die cutting. 

Tailored Stitches contains three different “stitched” edge dies.  You place it along the edge of a piece of straight cardstock and then die cut it to get a nice border piece. You control the width of the strip by how close you place the die to the straight edge of your paper.

I adhered a piece of 1/8” ScorTape to the back of the die cut and then adhered that to the left edge of the vellum.  

I put another piece of 1/8” ScorTape on the back of the vellum, under the stitched die cut and then adhered it to a piece of So Silk Beauty Pink cardstock cut to 4” x 5 ¼”.  I adhered that to the front of a white A2 card. 

Die cut the “Hello” from the White Diamond paper and adhere to the front of the card.  Add a few drops of Range Multi Medium Matte On the back side of the vellum, under the “Hello” and hold in place for a few seconds.  Using die cut images on the vellum provides a way to hide the adhesive that is used to adhere the vellum to the card stock. 

The last step is to add a few drops of Nuvo White Blizzard accent drops.  You could also add sequins or other embellishments.  These will take longer to dry on the vellum so it’s best to set the card aside for a while, or overnight, for drying.  

The card us on display at Art 'n Soul so I hope you will stop in to see it.  While you are there, check out the great class samples from Kae Pea of Rubbermoon and Lynell Harlow, creator of Dreamweaver Stencils.  We have some amazing classes lined up for you.

I created this card using this technique with Magenta’s Blossom Square stamp (#14.657.P) and Poppy Stamps’ Thank You Streamer die (#1796).  You can also see another idea for the Blossom Square stamp in a previous technique here.

I hope you will try technique as it’s a fun way to use your Copic markers – then share your creations with us because we’d love to see them!