Please read all the way to the bottom to find the winner of our blog candy and find out how you can enter into today's random drawing!
I have started my routine - each morning as I eat my bowl of cereal I sit down to take a peek at Tim's tag, so that as I drive to work I can think about what I will create. It was a couple of years ago when I first saw Tim do this technique and I have wanted to try it ever since. Can you believe it took me two years?!? So here we go :-D
At first I was stymied with how I would make this look "girly," but in the end I think I managed ;-D
ETA: When considering this technique it is most interesting to select an image that has some broader based lines, as well you will want to be able to create "sections" of ink on your felt stamp pad to get crisp, clean colors. Creating a custom felt ink pad is a huge time saver - essentially it replaces the technique where you color directly on your rubber stamp using a waterbased marker. This allows you to custom color the image and stamp repeatedly in a quick manner.
I found that a pencil works great to trace the stamp on the cut-n-dry felt (not foam) pad.
I couldn't live without Tim's Tonic scissors - they work fantastic for cutting out stamps, but also work fabulously on so many other things, including the cut-n-dry felt.
I noticed a question in today's comments asking if there is another material that would work if you don't have the cut-n-dry felt. I don't believe that there will be anything quite like it. This material appears to be identical to what is used in the dye ink pads that Ranger manufactures. BUT please be advised that this is only a guess, because I truly do not know. The felt is fabric topped and it works great - I really don't know of anything on the market that is even similar.
Again I went with the ink that Tim recommended - the Archival Jet Black and stamped my image on to the felt stamp pad (fabric side up.) This has really become one of my go-to inks if I am not coloring with Copics.
Cleanup of the Archival ink is a little different due to it's waterproof quality. I find it easiest to simply wipe my stamp with a dry cloth, then use the CleansIt cleaner, followed by the RubIt ScrubIt. I have a plastic container that is slightly larger than my RubIt ScrubIt pad and I simply add water to barely cover the pad. I quickly scrub aand rinse my stamps on the pad and then use my trusty, stained wash cloth to dab it dry.
As I beginner I felt that a step-by-step photo process may be helpful. I don't know if there is any rhyme or reason when adding colors to the image, but I went with the method I would use when coloring an image with markers and then huffing. I started with my focal point and the lightest color - Antique Linen. Apply the ink generously using the dropper that comes in the bottle.
Apply Vintage photo to the face only.
Add Victorian Velvet to Santa's clothes. As you can see I ended up getting a droplet of ink in a spot that I didn't intend, but no worries - my project turned out just fine!
Apply Forest Moss to the tree.
Apply Tumbled Glass to the snowflakes.
I ended by applying Vintage Photo to the remaining open areas and all the way around the edge to almost "frame" the piece.
Your new custom inked stamp pad is now ready for use. Use it just as you would use a regular dye ink stamp pad, being certain to align your stamp directly with the stamp pad as you ink it each time.
I then stamped my image on Neenah Solar White cardstock. (First image stamped is on the right.) I wasn't completely happy with my coloring and figured it wouldn't hurt to see what happens when you add different colored inks directly over the areas already inked.
(I loved Tim's storage idea, so I will be attaching the image on the left to my plastic ziplock baggie. A suggestion that I have heard that may keep this pad moist longer is to first wrap it in Saran Wrap before placing it in the ziplock bag.)
I felt the face was TOO dark, so I went ahead and applied Victorian Velvet directly over the Vintage Photo. I also really wanted my snowflake tip to be more blue than brown, so added a little more Tumbled Glass to the tip of the large snowflake.
I am REALLY excited about the results - the final look is so much better than the dark brown and I believe that it looks so much better than if I would have made his entire face the Victorian Velvet color. SO... what you can also do is make your own custom colored ink pads if you can't find that perfect color for a project!
(left to right - Hero Arts Watercolor Paper, Arturo Single Cards, Neenah Solar White)
It is so important to experiment as you create! I literally have a dozen different stamped images in my studio - I tried SO many different things because I just wanted to know what would happen. The above samples are all ones I experimented with water.
These samples were all embossed with clear embossing powder and then (from left to right):
- accent colored with Copic markers,
- watercolored with distress ink,
- Antique Linen distress ink was smudged on Non-stick Craft sheet, misted with water and then tag was laid in ink. Tumbled Glass reinker was then mixed with water and splattered on the surface.
To add to the girly factor one must add glitter! Using Icicle stickles to add sparkle to Santa's hat and sleeve, the tree and snowflakes is so very easy.
A few baubles and a to/from tag edged with Embossing Ink and Tarnished Gold all place atop some beautiful Webster's Pages papers and my tag was complete.
stamps: Tim Holtz ATC Christmas Miracle
digital download: Traditional Seasonal Alphabet
ink: Archival Jet Black, Distress Embossing Ink, Distress Reinkers - Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Victorian Velvet, Tumbled Glass and Forest Moss
paper: Webster's Pages Waiting for Santa and Waiting for Santa 6x6 pack, Neenah Solar White, Hero Arts Felt Paper, Arturo Singles, Manila Tag
accessories: Tim Holtz Tag & Bookplates Die, Baubles, Tiny Attacher, Cut-N-Dry Stamp Pad Felt, Tarnished Gold Embossing Powder, Icicle Stickles, Webster's Pages Waiting for Santa Trim, CleansIt Cleaner, RubIt ScrubIt
The drawing for the Baubles and Accoutrements is now closed - our winner is Andi Sexton.
Thank you Andi for always sharing your love with us here in the CLASSroom! Please send us an email to [email protected] with your snail mail address if you read this before we have a chance to contact you!
Today you have an opportunity to win Tim Holtz ATC First Christmas and a package of Cut-n-Dry Stamp Pad Felt:
Simply posting a comment below will enter you in today's random drawing - you have until tomorrow evening when my next post goes live to enter. You can post a comment each day on the current post for a chance to win some fun goodies, so be certain to stay tuned for another 10 days :-D
Thank you for joining me here in the CLASSroom!
