Technique of the Week: Repeat Stamping with the MISTI

This week’s technique showcases one of the many benefits of the MISTI.  You can do this card with a stamp positioner but the MISTI really makes it so easy to keep each row of the stamped sentiment perfectly aligned.

I came across this technique on Jennifer McGuire’s website and you can see that video here.  I love watching and learning from other artists and I experimenting with their techniques to see if they are as easy as they seem on video.  This was another technique that was fairly simple to do and I loved the final results!

I started with a piece of Kraft cardstock cut to 4 ¼” by 5 ½”.  I selected two Magenta stamps for my images – Doodle Poinsettia 1, C0687.I and Peace on Earth, C07.457.H.  You will need a mask for the poinsettia image so stamp it on a piece of masking paper or a Post it note and cut it out. 

This is the most important step to make this technique work.  Since you will be moving the paper in this technique it makes it easier if you begin placing your paper lengthwise in the MISTI.  Don't place it in the corner, but one or two grid marks above the bottom edge of the MISTI.  Once your paper is positioned, place the Poinsettia stamp on the card stock and then center the sentiment right below it.  I found that it works best if you place the sentiment as close to the bottom of the poinsettia stamp as possible.  Close the lid of the MISTI to pick up the stamps, ink them with Versa Fine Black Onyx ink and stamp.  Remove the poinsettia stamp from the MISTI but leave the sentiment stamp in the same position.

I removed the card stock and embossed the image and sentiment with clear embossing powder.  This is an optional step.  In Jennifer McGuire's video you will see that rather than embossing, she used dark ink for the main sentiment and lighter ink for stamping the other sentiments.

After embossing the images, return the paper to the MISTI in the same position and place the mask over the poinsettia. 

Measure the height of your sentiment image and using the ruler on the side of the MISTI, slide your paper down by that amount.  For example, my sentiment was ½” tall so I moved the paper down ½” in the MISTI.  Be sure to keep the edge of your paper snuggly against the side of the MISTI.  Apply ink to your sentiment and stamp. 

Repeat the process by moving your paper down again by ½” (or the height of your sentiment), inking and stamping.  Continue this process until you have reached the top of your cardstock.  The mask will protect the poinsettia image.  Your paper will extend over the bottom of the MISTI but don’t worry; the lid of the MISTI won’t crease it.

To finish the bottom of your card, return to the original starting position and move your paper up ½”, ink and stamp. 

Repeat until you reach the bottom of your card.

To finish the card, use your choice of medium to color your image.  This example uses Prismacolor colored pencils.  (Scarlet Lake and Crimson Red for the flower; Canary Yellow for the center of the flower.)  I cut a piece of red cardstock to 4 ¼” by 5 ½” and adhered it to a white notecard.  I trimmed down the stamped image to 4” x 5 1/4:”, adhered a piece of fun foam to the back and then adhered it to the red card stock.  I added a few sequins and some yellow stickles in the center of the poinsettia. 

You can see the final card at Art ‘n Soul.  This technique goes quickly once you get started. I practiced a couple of times before starting on my “real” card and I love the finished look.  I plan to use this idea for some of my Christmas cards this year.  I hope you will give it a try, too.

Technique of the Week: Ombre Embossing

This week’s technique uses something you probably already have – embossing powder.  (If you are like me, you have a lot of it.)  When I first started stamping many, many years ago, it seems like I embossed everything but I haven’t used it as frequently on my recent projects. 

I stumbled across this technique when I was watching a Sandy Allnock video about Distress Crayons (I’ll be trying that technique in the future.)  I thought I’d try ombre embossing to see if it was as easy as she made it appear.  The good news is, ombre embossing is easy and fun!

I decided to put my sentiment in the lower right corner of my card and then die cut a piece of velvet to go on top of the card.  I used a new “Thank You” stamp from Impression Obsession (#E20163) and the largest circle from the Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers die set (#30036).  To determine where to cut my circle I laid the die and the stamp where I wanted them positioned on a piece of Navy velvet card stock that had been cut to 5 ½” x 4 ¼”. 

I wanted a partial circle cut so I offset the circle die.

After cutting the circle from the lower right corner of the card I decided to use an embossing folder on the velvet to add some texture.  I used an embossing folder from the “Woven” set of the Next Generation Embossing Folders by We R Memory Keepers.  I LOVE using these embossing folders on velvet, especially the dark colors.  You can do this step in either order but by doing the embossing folder step after the die cutting step, you maintain the deep impressions created by the embossing folder.

For the sentiment I cut a piece of light blue card stock to 5 ½” x 4 ¼” and placed it in my MISTI.  I put the piece of die cut velvet on top of the card stock and then placed my stamp on the card stock.  I closed the lid of my MISTI to pick up the stamp.  This step ensures your sentiment will be aligned within the area of the card stock that will be exposed by the die cut circle in the velvet. 

I removed the velvet paper, used my powder tool on the card stock and then stamped my image using Versamark ink.  I removed the cardstock from the MISTI and placed it on a piece of wax paper.  I poured Judikins Gold Detail Embossing powder on the top part of the sentiment and then tapped off the excess.  I placed the card on another piece of wax paper and covered the bottom part of the sentiment with Judikins Detail Silver embossing powder. 

    

I heat set it and as the embossing powder melted, the beautiful ombre embossed image emerged. 

To assemble the card I adhered the light blue card stock to an A2 size card and then placed the velvet piece on top.  I thought the card needed a little bit more ‘bling” so I tried a technique that I saw on Jennifer McGuire’s blog.  Use you glue pen to place little dots of glue on your card and then sprinkle embossing powder over the top of the dots.  You might want to practice on a bit of scrap paper first – keep the dots of glue very light by just barely touching your glue pen to the card surface.  I held the card upright and added embossing powder with a spoon to avoid getting it on the velvet paper.  I added gold embossing powder to some dots and silver embossing powder to the other spots. 

I heat set the card again (being careful to avoid the velvet) and the card was finished.

You can use any combination of colors for this technique.  You can also apply the color in a horizontal or vertical pattern or use multiple colors.  These are a few samples using the same stamp with a variety of embossing powder combinations.

We have a great stock of embossing powders at Art ‘n Soul to include some beautiful glittery powders from Wow that will be great on your holiday cards.  While you are there, be sure to check out our velvet papers too.  I do hope you will give this technique a try and that you will share your results with us.