AIR - VersaMagic in spring colors

Hi all

Mixed Media style is getting popular, and I love it too.

This month, our assignment ink is VersaMagic Dew Drops.
Our John picked lovely spring-ish color combinations for us, and I was curious how they can be Mixed Media style?

Here's what I played.

3 background colors Aloe Vera/Mango Madness/Thachet Straw

On Coated paper, DTP 3 colors ramdomly

Ink up background stamp (Hero Arts) with 3 background colors

stamp over the background

While ink is still wet, wipe some part with paper towel to scrap off some color

if your ink pad get muddy, wipe off on paper towel gently

Stamp Ferns (Penny Black) with Spring Pansy

Stamp Butterfly (Penny Black) with Memento Tuxedo Black

Using Brushstix, color butterfly wings with VersaMagic. Don't worry about outline at this stage.

Scrape off some color with dried Brushstix

Over stamp the butterfly with Brilliance Graphite Black

to make outline standout

Sorry, I forgot to take picture this stage, I again stamp background flower vine (Penny Black ) with Spring Pansy. Then, with Memento Marker, outline the part of background flower

After stamp the sentiment with Brilliance Graphite Black, DTP  Brilliance Sunlight White lightly to background area to make it misty.  Isn't it lovely?

Add edge shadow with Memento Tuxedo Black.  I love Jumbo Dauber to make edging.
After all thing dried, I applied thin coat of Creative Medium for finishing touch.

Finished card.  Applied lace trim and pearls (Hero Arts) at the bottom.




TIPS

VersaMagic is chalk finished ink.  It is water based pigment ink yet dries on glossy paper.
As you may know, pigments on the glossy paper could come off when it scratched. This character makes  such a layerd and faded effects.  In the other hand, it could be damaged later, that's why I used Creative Medium for protector.

Another tip with this project.  On glossy paper, dye ink (Memento pad and marker) is soaking into the paper, but pigments will stay on surface.  The reason why I used Memento to stamp the butterfly first time, is make it faded as rough draft.  Brilliance is another opaque pigment ink and dries on the glossy paper, so it was used as finishing ink.

If you like more distressed look, you can use sanding paper to scrape colors. it will shave off more ink.

Hope you enjoy this project. 

Until next time :)

AIR April Monthly Challenge

Hi all

The first project for this month is TACK N' PEEL.

If you haven't seen it, there's youtube video from Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko.

Actually, I was contributed to develop this products about a decade ago.

That time, unmounted rubber (just a rubber stamp sheet with no cushion nor wood mount) started from small rubber stamp company, I've been looking for an easy and long lasting adhesive thing for acrylic block.  To me, TACK N" PEEL is the answer because

• can be used again and again
• clear (getting cloudy in time though - still can see through)
• hold stamp or other materials tightly
• cushion effect
• easy maintenance (just rinse with water)
• inexpensive - stick to your acrylic block, not to stamp

Besides, there's more way to use TACK N' PEEL here's some samples.

• Fun Foam stamp die cut or your own
  
  
  
  

• Hold small items on working table  no more missing beads nor eyelets! Also good for holding your tools or pens from rolling out.

• Ink Pad Handle - keep your fingers clean and easier handling for DTP/inking

• Holder for thin material　- great for edging chipboard, domino, buttons, you name it

HOW TO PREPARE 

1. Trace your acrylic block on yellow side

2. Cut

3. Remove Yellow Backing Sheet

4. Adhere to acrylic block

When you use, remove protector film

Attach UM rubber stamps *

Not only UM rubber stamps, but also old cling stamps or clear stamps which are no longer stick.

If you have problem with those, Tack N Peel is the solution. (Be careful, removing new and still-sticking-good cling or clear stamps on Tack N Peel will be hard.  So if you have happy cling/clear, use un Tack N Peel side of block)　Rubber falling off  from your wood mounted stamps, can be used with Tack N' Peel.  If your old wood mounted stamps have problem with cushion (it happens often to me) put it in microwave for seconds for losing adhesive, then peel rubber. Your stamp will be brought back. Rubber it'self are lasting very very long.

 For keep your Tack N Peel good and clean, put back protector film on.  Since the film is clear, easy to lose, I put some marking on the film - and this one, using masking/washi tape.
Also there's right/wrong side on the film, and on wrong side, it stick too tight.  So, I recommend mark your film at first time.

Few more thing from my experience.

• Avoid sticking to the paper.  It will stick, and paper fiber won't be removed.  If it happens, soak in water and scrape off paper residue. 
• Also avoid powder materials like glitter, embossing powder, chalk, etc.   They are not easy to remove.  
• If it's too sticky, usually happens first few times, tap on your jeans.  Fabric fibers will adjust adhesive force。

Caring is easy.  Wash with water and air dry.  That's it.

I do keep even small pieces for use in many way.  Put a small piece between the lid and liner of Briiliance/StazOn/VersaMagic lid. Put a small piece on my finger or stick for small stamp. Put a little item on my desk wall, keep my nestabilities together.  So, just keep it, you'll find more use.

I hope you enjoy Tack N Peel.

 

Dew Drops storing

Did you know the blister case for 4 pc set can be used as storing tray.
Remove topper at dotted line, you'll have something like this.
Don't waste useful gadget.

March AIR project - custom tote bag

This month, I made a kind of big project for AIR of Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts.

The theme is "All Purpose Ink" with Fabric... so I made a tote bag from scratch.
I haven't used my sewing machine for years, this was a great chance to put myself in thread and needle work.  I'm glad I did.  It turned fun project for me.

If you are not seam stress, you can just paint, stencil or stamp on fabric with All Purpose Ink.

Supplies

Canvas Fabric

All Purpose Ink

Ink Portion No.9

Stencil

Fantastix

Jumbo Dauber

Stamp

Masking tape

Iron

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Sewing Machine

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Step 1.  Cut canvas fabric to desired size.

Step 2.  Make background,  i used Jumbo Dauber as applicator. 

Colors are All Purpose Ink - Lemon Yellow(11), Cerulean Blue(19) and Celadon(60)

 Step 3.  Add pattern using stencil (The Crafters Workshop - Chickenwire Reversed TCW259) with API - Cerulean Blue (19)

 Spray Ink Portion No.9 to bleed the pattern.

Step 3.  Draw twigs.  Using Fantastix Brush, draw twigs with API - Truffle (55) by free hand.

Step 4.  Add Birds.  With the template (Gourmet Rubber Stamps), stencil a bird on the twig.  

API - Black Pearl is used for this.

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Step 5.  Add more stencil patterns (The Crafters Workshop) with API - Vegas Gold and Tangelo 

Step 6.  Stamp (Penny Black) tiny flowers.  Using sponge applicator (here I used Ink Sweeper) as inkpad, 

Step 7.  Add border line.  With 2 strips of masking tape, make a mask on right side and bottome to make accent border.  API - Cerulean is used for this.

Step 8.  Heat set.  Using dry iron, heat set API inks.  A newspaper is used to cover the surface when ironing for protecting my iron.

After this, I did simple sewing to make a tote bag..

The painted piece is used as a large pocket.

It's just an idea to play with your canvas fabric.  

I hope this project inspires your next one.

Happy stamping

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