the kissing technique....

For this weeks tutorial Tuesday, we have the kissing technique. This is used in stamping, to transfer ink from one stamp to another. You ink up a bold image and press it onto a clean patterned stamp... that's the kissing bit !! the ink transfers onto the clean stamp and leaves the original bold image with a patterned design. Both the bold stamp or the patterned one can then be stamped onto card. the remaining ink on each stamp prints to reveal variations of the shape of the bold image with the pattern of the second stamp, as you can see in the picture below.



'kissed' images from the bold stamp and the patterned transfer 



Since it's quite a hard one to explain, I thought I would make a video so you can see how to do it. So if you're still not sure watch the video below too. Any questions just ask and ill do my best to help !! 

 

 

Mx

goal!!

• kraft 6x4" card blank
• craftwork cards digi card stock
• tim holtz distress ink pads (antique linen, brushed corduroy, walnut stain)
• football stamps from kanban

I cut a mat to size, inked and stamped the background. I cut a second mat, rounded two corners. I then stamped the focal image and inked the background and edges. I added more detail to the stamp using a brush and water. I stamped a sentiment on to a strip of card and cut a banner shape to complete the sketch.

challenges:
simon says- "anything goes"
freshly made sketches- "#179"

Mx

masking

 For this tutorial Tuesday, I am sharing 3 different variations of the masking technique. Masking is basically the use of a material (I choose post-it notes but you can buy specialist materials) to shield a section of your paper or image from stamping.

 

Here is the video explaining how to stamp a background around an image.

 

 

skull with background, created using a mask over the skull.

 

You can also use masking to create the illusion of depth in one layer, as you can see below. This is done by using masks to protect each stamped image from the next one overlapping it.

 

 

overlapping flowers using masking

 

The third way to use a mask is to create an aperture in your card. If you are careful, you can cut the shape out with scissors or a knife, but it works best with dies or punches. This is a good technique to create layering on a flat sheet of card- perfect for posting !!

the mask

The first stage is to cut your shape out from a post-it note to create the mask.

after stamping

 Then position the mask onto your card and stamp. You will need to apply extra pressure as the post-it note is adding an extra layer. It helps to stamp on a softer surface like a mouse mat or stamping mat to compensate. If you don't, you wont get a crisp edge, or fill the aperture. When using a large stamp, you must be careful not to ink it all as your card wont be protected around the mask. When you lift the mask, you can see the result, with the example below.

the result

Mx

Handmade Decoupage

Following on from last weeks tutorial on basic decoupage using pre-cut sheets, I wanted to share handmade decoupage. You can use any of your stamped images, (providing you can cut around it neatly) to create a layered decoupage image. You could also use an image from a digi kit in the same way by following the steps below, but simply printing out rather than stamping and colouring.

stamped and coloured

 

Firstly, decide on how many layers you want to create. To do this, you need to look at the image and work out which sections would be in the foreground, which would be behind these and right at the back. It depends on your preferences and the image as to how many layers you need. The next stage is to stamp the image once for each layer. I then colour each image, making sure that all visible sections are coloured, including the edges of the lower layers which may be seen from the side. Obviously, you can leave the areas to be cut away, as you can see above.

 

cut out pieces

 

 I then carefully cut each of the layers out, as seen in the image above. Depending on your image, I would either use a scalpel or sharp scissors to do this. It is important that you don't forget to cut away any little landlocked areas of background in the image which would spoil the effect. If you don't cut the pieces accurately, the completed decoupage image wont line up properly. The final stage is to assemble your decoupage image with foam pads or silicone glue.



the decoupage image



finished card with handmade decoupage



  I created the card above with this cute little decoupage image. I die cut an aperture out of the front of my card and backed it with acetate to create a window. I then glued my decoupage image onto the circle window and backed this with a carefully cut piece of card on the inside to hide the glue. I also added a piece of paper on the other half inside to create the blue background for the cut-out sections on the front.



inside view of card



Mx

butterfly meadow...

 

•  LOTV butterfly meadow stamp, SU! crazy about you and matching hello you thinlit die
• memento ink pad, copics and promarkers, black micron pen, sakura glitter pen
• purple carstock (to make card blank & message), craftwork cards digi cardstock

 I made my card blank, and cut digi cardstock to size. I stamped and coloured the lovely bunny image in the bottom corner. I added the die cut and stamped sentiment to the top of my card. the finishing touches were some faux stitching lines and glitter accents.
I also made an insert by simply matting a piece of white cardstock to the inside. i added some faux stitching around the outer edge to match the front of my card and stamped a sentiment in the centre.

 

I am entering the:

• passion for promarkers #287 'for a special lady'
• ribbon girl - 'birthday themed with an image'
• simon says - 'things that fly'

 

Mx 

a fathers tools...

• SU! guy greetings and teeny tiny sentiment, label punches also SU!
• craftwork cards digi cardstock and card candi
• barn door and black soot tim holtz distress ink pads

 

I cut a strip of card and stamped all over with the tools, I mat and layered then glued to my card blank. I stamped and punched out my sentiment, then added this to my card with foam pads. I inked some card candi to match my colour scheme and added to the bottom of my card to match the sketch.

 

Mx

 

lotus blossom!!

 

 

• su! lotus blossom stamp and banner punch
• a selection of tim holtz ink pads
• craftwork cards digi cardstock.

 

I have been wanting to use this stamp and have finally done it... I two step stamped the image in pink tones. I added a bit of mat and layering and the banners to complete the sketch.

 

 

Mx

decoupage basics

For this tutorial Tuesday, I thought I would introduce you to decoupage. This is basically an image made up of lots of layers, with each layer taking away a section of the image until only the foreground is left. There are multiple forms of decoupage you can buy: die cut pieces (ready to pop out and assemble), multiple prints of an image you cut out yourself and homemade decoupage using stamps. For this tutorial I will begin with the pre-bought die cut decoupage. The pieces come on a sheet and pop out as you can see below.

 

the pieces



 

the layers
 

 You then simply assemble the layers from the largest up to the smallest. the pieces fit one on top of another, but unlike mat and layering you must ensure the pieces are directly on top of the lower layer so the image doesn't distort. I like to use foam pads, but you can also use silicone glue for more depth and the ability to shape the layers. On an image like this one, you don't really need to shape it, but something like a flower always looks better with a bit more form. With silicone glue, you also get some wiggle time, which can be useful as lining the pieces up perfectly is the key to a successful decoupage. Just remember that this adds weight to the card which can make postage expensive !!

 

finished easel card

 

I turned this spring time decoupage into an easel card, using the coordinating backing papers and a stamped sentiment inside.

 

inside

Mx

lazy days...

 

• LOTV 'waterlily' stamp
• SU! 'express yourself' stamp (sentiment)
• SU! 'labels collection framlits' and 'bigz alphabet typeset'
• 8x8 card blank
• craftwork cards 'digi cardstock' 
• purple, green and patterned cardstocks
• Memento ink 'tuxedo black' and 'grape jelly'
• copics markers
• stickles glitter
• white satin ribbon

 

 

I thought this fun image for a big birthday card I wanted to do. I stamped the main image and coloured it with copics. I die cut this out with a larger purple mat to layer behind. I also die cut the numbers from green and patterned card sticking them together offset to create a drop shadow effect. I then cut and matted my patterned paper, added the ribbon tied in a bow and glued onto the card. the image and numbers were stuck down with foam pads for dimension. finally, I added glittered accents to the image for that extra special feel. 

 

Mx

paper piecing...

I thought I would introduce paper piecing for this tutorial Tuesday. It is essentially a way to fill in your stamped images using cut pieces of paper. It can be a great way to introduce colour, pattern or texture into an image and can help to coordinate with the background papers in a card too.

 

stage 1-stamping

 

stage 1 is to stamp the image you will use. You need to position it on your card blank or matt and stamp again onto the paper you will be using to fill the image.

 

stage 2- cut and colour

The next stage is to cut the section of the image you will use out of the paper. Depending on the image, this can be a little tricky so choose carefully. You will also need to prepare the image on your card blank by colouring any pieces you wont cover with paper. I have also chosen to cut the card down with a scalloped edge and added a strip of the same paper to the edge inside the card. This helps to tie  the rest of the card in with the image and make a feature of the pretty paper.



stage 3 - stick down to complete



 the final stage is sticking the paper onto the stamped image. The trick here is to line them up perfectly so the paper sits inside the stamped outline. If you are worried about getting it right, choose a glue which gives you a bit of wiggle time.

 

inside completed to match

 

 I repeated the same process with the handbag to complete the decoration inside this card. This example is quite a simple one using only one paper to show you how it works. But, once you have mastered the basics, you could use several different papers to fill the various parts of your image to create cards like the ones below.

 

 

 

Mx

made in monochrome...

 

• white and black plain card
• SU! 'summer afternoon' and 'crazy about you' stamps
• SU! 'hello you' thinlits dies
• SU! 'whisper white' ink pad

 I thought the strong sentiment in the sketch would work well with a bold monochromatic colour scheme. I cut a black mat to fit my white card blank. I stamped the image in white in the bottom corner. I then die cut the 'happy' sentiment and added this to the card with the 'birthday' stamped just below. I think the simplicity of this card is quite effective.

 

sketch #112

Mx