Using Copics on your rubber stamp

I wanted to see what the different outcomes would be between spritzing blender solution directly onto the stamp versus spritzing onto the paper first and if there was any difference if I were to take the Blender Pen and using that on the paper first before stamping.

Similar to spritzing water on your stamp after coloring it with watercolor crayon, you need to "reactivate" your Copics if you color with them directly onto your rubber stamps. You will need to use either the Blending Solution or rubbing alcohol to "reactivate" the dried ink... much like "huffing" on your stamp when using Stampin' Up! markers.


Bottle of blending solution and the mister that I used to fill with the blending solution for spritzing.



The quality of the paper that you use is so important! It is best to use smooth, thin, cardstock (Neenah Classic Crest, GinaK Pure Luxury 80lb, and SU Whisper White works great for me).
Today, I'm using Pure Luxury 80lb cardstock:



Before I spritz or blend, I have to color my stamp first. I wanted my birds to have 2 tones to them so I first colored my birds in B00 to give them a base color. Then I inked up my acrylic block with B18 and picked up some of the darker blue with my B00 (brush end). I colored the tails first and then worked out in small circles.







Be sure to swipe the brush gently on a piece of scrap paper to remove the dark color off of your lighter colored brush. Not to worry! This technique of swiping a darker color with your lighter colored marker will not stain or ruin your brush!




Here what I used to color my stamp:



1) I spritzed directly onto the stamp once and then sprayed off into the air and "caught" the mist several times. I may have soaked the rubber a bit too much but if you don't get a fair amount of blending solution / rubbing alcohol on there, you will end up with your stamp sticking to your paper and a very light or barely visible image.




spritzing blender solution directly onto stamp

2) After coloring my stamp again, I took the spritzer and sprayed directly onto my cardstock.
This time, I did use too much blending solution... you can see my image already starting to smear a little. So when you spray onto your cardstock, don't create a puddle!



Immediate result...


Spritzing blending solution directly onto paper and stamping onto soaked paper

After about a half hour:




3) After coloring my rubber stamp again to refresh the ink, I took my blender pen and soaked the paper with it. Again, I went over the area a few too many times.




Using blender pen to soak paper (oversoaked) and then stamping on it


So then I decided to go back over a new area on the cardstock with my Blender Pen but using less strokes (just a few layers).





Using blender pen to paper - less swipes


Let me know if you have any questions about any of this!

~ Jane

A Hero Arts Monday's Fun Day!!

Well I did it! I completed my first Hero Arts Challenge! :)
The challenge was to use a heart stamp for a non-Valentine card.
What do you think?



I stamped the heart from Hero Arts "Valentine Flourish" acrylic stamp set in VersaMark.
Then I heat embossed it in gold embossing powder.
I sponged the center with So Saffron and the outer edge in Old Olive.
Then I stamped the edge with the flourish stamps in VersaMark and heat embossed them with clear embossing powder.
I used my Old Olive marker to ink up the word "Together" from the Hero Arts wood mounted "Together" stamp set.
To finish things off, I added a few self adhesive pearls to the heart from Kaiser Scrapbook.
The cardstocks that I used are Whisper White, So Saffron, and Old Olive.


Well, it's been awhile since I had a Monday's Fun Day.
Sponsored by Memories Live On...




If you would like a chance to win this beautiful stamp and ink pad (and I always add a little more to the package), just leave a comment here with what challenges you like to participate in online. For example, I have recently done a few over at SCS like the Limited Supplies challenge or the Sketch Challenge. I am always looking for more to participate in... let me know which ones are your faves! If you can, send me a link too!

Have a happy heart day!

hugs,
Jane

Acetate Treat Holder Tutorial for my MLO class

I held a class at Memories Live On last year where I showed how to make an Acetate Treat Holder. The instructions for the treat holder was never sent out, so I am posting it here again, with step-by-step directions and pictures. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at whoopsie.daisy@sbcglobal.net

This box is the one that was created by Susie McCormick called "2,4,6,8 Acetate Box".

I didn't want to just take all the hard work she put, into creating her Adobe file, that she had shared with demonstrators at SCS, and post it publicly here. So I have put together a little step by step pictorial for all of you. Thanks, Susie, for sharing the file with us fellow demonstrators!

You will need 2 sheets of your favorite DSP (designer sheet paper) - 2-1/2" x 8-1/2"

With each sheet of DSP, you will score at: 2", 4", 6", 8" along the strip


Turn the DSP on its side and score it at a 1/2"


Trim 1/2" off the end but leave the short tab attached up on top




Cut each 2" scored line up to the 1/2" mark


Shuffle the cut slabs until it is a snug fit. I like to lift each one in order and glue each layer down.




Glue down the tiny tab inside the box.


Repeat this with second DSP. You need one for the top of the treat holder and another for the bottom.

Trim your acetate (transparencies) to 3-1/2" x 8-1/4"
Score at 1-15/16" four times across the sheet.
You will have a 1/2" tab left at the end.





Crease all folds. Add adhesive along the outside of the 1/2" tab.




Add adhesive to the "bottom lid" and slip in one side of the acetate box.Press all sides firmly against the sides.
This is what it looks like now with the top lid on and a bit of yummy inside:

Now for the holes on the side for the ribbons. Find the seam of the acetate. This is the "back" of your box. The 2 holes you will make will go to the sides of this seam. Use your hole punch to get in under the "top" lid. Punch a hole on each side.

Put the "top" lid back on. Using a small tipped marker, make a mark where your holes are on the acetate. Take the lid off and use the same hole punch to go over the marks you made on each side.

Thread ribbon in through the holes of the acetate first, then out through the holes of the "top" lid. Place the lid back on the box and tie a knot at the end of the ribbon.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and find it easy to use. Please give proper credit to Susie McCormick for the original design of this most adorable treat holder when you pass it on.

Jane

The Fairest of Them All...

Ahhhh! Happy Friday, everyone!!

Who has not yet read the "Twilight" series?

REALLY???

Because it's only the most intriguing series ever!!

I picked up "Twilight" at the airport on my way to CHA and finished it up on my flight home.
I bought the last book today and I'm two chapters away from finishing it!
It's hopeless. I'm addicted. Worse yet... I think it's an obsession now.

Never mind... now where was I?

Oh yes!
THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL...

I LOVE this company!
























Wild Things, I think I {heart} you!!!

Twitterpated!! How cute is this line?!!

I swear they put these daisies out just for me! :)

There were more on the inside area of the booth, but it was SO crowded in there that I decided not to go in. Instead, I stood outside, had a quick chat with Nicole Kajiyama (Imaginisce), and then took all of these pictures.

More to come tomorrow!

Goodnight!