Stamp Thyme

A Fun Place for Serious Stampers

Thymely Tips

PAPER BATIK Technique

Supplies needed:

White Mulberry paperSpritzer bottle

Clear Embossing ink padClean paper

Clear Embossing PowderIron

Adirondack dye reinkers (at least 3 colors)heat tool

Rubber stamps with a bold designMelt art craft sheet

1-Stamp images using clear embossing ink on white mulberry paper at random. Stamp off the edges as well.

2-Pour embossing powder on the stamped images.

3-Place page onto a melt art sheet and heat with a heat tool. Don't get too close or your will burn the paper.

4-Place embossed paper on a plastic surface. Mix about 50 drops of Adirondack reinker with half of the spritzer bottle of water. Spray color over entire paper and allow colors to blend.

5-Place paper between 2 pieces of newsprint or other clean paper. Iron paper with no steam on high setting until you see the stamped images. Keep ironing until the paper lifts easily.

- Try embossing those Fall leaves. Tap on some pigment ink, add powder and heat as usual. You can have leaves in colors that Mother Nature never thought of.

-Use your stamp aligner to get a bright looking design. Stamp first in a light color, color in the picture with markers, then restamp the image in black..

-  Want a loose, water color look? Of course you can use our Peerless watercolors but try some other techniques. Use watercolor pencils or color marvy markers on a palette, then paint on the color with a brush. Or you can use a clear blender pen over colored papers. (Best on matte paper).

- Stamp your image in archival or waterproof ink when you are planning to color with watercolor. No smears.

-When making a notecard, score it with an embossing tool (stylus) or use the Score-a-card. The nice straight line will help make a great fold.

-Want to get that hand-made torn edge look on papers? You can use the deckle edge scissors. Or, wet the paper's edge along a ruler with an artist's paintbrush. Let the water soak in, then gently tear.

-Use your heat tool to heat those pesky price labels so they will pop off more easily.

Embellishing

Pearl-ex pigments are non-toxic powdered pigments that are quite stable, colorfast and archival.

-Use Pearl-ex as a powder. Apply with a finger, dauber, brush or sponge and use like any pastel or chalk.

-Apply 2-3 colors as a powder to Ultra Thick Embossing Powder or Amazing Glaze. Pearl-x will stick creating a metallic,-looking surface. (Super Bronze, Super Russet and Antique Copper are particularly effective together on a dark card.) Continue adding layers of Ultra thick and Pearl-ex powders.

-Mix one part Pearl-ex with with 3 parts clear embossing powder. Interference colors work well.  Stamp with ink that stays wet on vellum for a great look. The colors look different based on the color of ink used. Try Crafter's Inks as well.

-Mix Perfect Paper Adhesive (PPA) with a little bit of Pearl-ex in a small container or palette. You can mix up one color or two. Two works best.

Paint on cardstock. Experiment till you find the right amount.

Apply a second coat directly over the first color. Use the same color or a different one. Stamp an image into the wet PPA, twisting the stamp a bit to make a good impression. Let cardstock dry.

Tips: Works best on dark cardstock. Wash stamps after making impression. PPA is a glue that can be difficult to get out of the rubber once it dries.

Brass Stencils

-Lightly spray Paper Glide on the surface of your paper after you have attached it to a brass stencil. The stylus will fly across your paper and no squeaks either.

-When brass stencils start to look messy from inks or oil sticks, sparkle them up. Lay them flat, then wipe clean with rubbing alcohol.

Punches

-Punch several times through waxed paper or aluminum foil to lubricate your punches to get them to work more smoothly. No mess or greasy residue.

-Try putting a punch in the freezer if it gets stuck. This will shrink the metal and allow it to work again.

Tape tips

-Use regular tape to mask. When you don't want a small part of a stamp to print, take your clean stamps, cover the area you don't want to show with tape. Ink your stamp, remove the tape and stamp the image on a card.

-When lining an envelope with mulberry paper, put a piece of double sided tape  on the inside flap of the envelope before adding some potpourri or lavender for scent.

-After you have applied the embellishment (flock, glitter, embossing powder) to the tape, turn your card over and rub it well so it will stick tightly.

-Use double sided tape which can be embossed to make perfectly straight embossed edges. Layer a 3/8 size, press down to get a good bond and remove the paper backing. Now, lay down a narrower strip of tape over this one, and don't peel the backing. Cover with embossing powder and heat.  Now, peel off the backing of the thin strip and foil leaf or emboss in a different color.

-Lay down a strip of tape on the front edge of a folded card. Cut the tape and the card edge into a fancy edge with scissors before peeling off the tape's protective paper. Now emboss, flock, glitter or add mylar confetti.

- Clean glitter specks from your stamps with a piece of cellophane tape.

Storage and records

- Are you a beginning stamper? Keep a record of all your stamps in a notebook or on file cards. Stamp out the image and write down the manufacturer (and price if you wish). This notebook will help you decide what you  need to fill in your collection and keep you from duplicating purchases. Also useful when you plan a card design.

-Store your Marvy thick brush markers upside down as they get drier. If they start to dry out, remove the plastic bottom with pliers and add 1 or 2 drops of water with an eye dropper. Even though the color will be a little paler, you can use them a while longer.

-For easier handling, transfer your embossing powders to sandwich-sized plastic containers. You can hold your card over the box and pour the powder right back into it without having to funnel it into the small bottles.

-After using the tip for your glitter glue or crystal lacquer, put it in a little water in and empty embossing powder jar (or buy an empty jar here). Save time and frustrating cleaning time. Change the water each time.

Beginners

- Use 4x6 index cards to practice on when you are beginning to stamp. They are great kids note cards and the perfect size for postcards. Just put on a 20 cent stamp and mail.

-The raised Vivid or Colorbox or Catseye inkpads are great for any size of stamp. Just tap the color on.