This post originally appeared on the Stampin' Up! corporate blog; however, the content is my sole creation!
Hello friends! I’m thrilled to be writing for the Stampin’ Up! blog this week. I’ve been playing with some of my new favourites from the 2017-2018 Annual Catalogue and I’m bursting at the seams with my excitement over these new products!
If you’ve been stamping for a long time, you may have been as thrilled as I was to find that Glossy White Cardstock has made its triumphant return! The glossy surface is non-porous, which lends itself to some amazing techniques with ink.
The biggest trick to using Glossy White Cardstock is to use alcohol to blend it. I’ve filled a Stampin’ Spritzer with Isopropyl Alcohol for this purpose - it now has a permanent home in my craft room!
After spending several days playing with ink, I am covered in stains and happy to share three of my favourite techniques with you.
Technique #1 - The Brushstroke
This technique couldn’t be easier, and it results in an amazing layered background that looks like it was painted by a master. How perfect to pair with paintbrushes! These stamps, from Crafting Forever and Just Add Text fit this artistic technique to a tee.
To recreate this technique, start with a dry sheet of Glossy White Cardstock and an ink pad of your choice (I used Bermuda Bay and Old Olive.) Holding your ink pad at a 45-degree angle to your cardstock, simply drag the ink along the surface. Varying your pressure and angle will change the look slightly. Adding a variety of layers and textures with your ink will perfect the “painted” look!
To recreate this technique, start with a dry sheet of Glossy White Cardstock and an ink pad of your choice (I used Bermuda Bay and Old Olive.) Holding your ink pad at a 45-degree angle to your cardstock, simply drag the ink along the surface. Varying your pressure and angle will change the look slightly. Adding a variety of layers and textures with your ink will perfect the “painted” look!
Technique #2 - The Fade
The fade is so easy with Glossy White Cardstock, and it creates a subtle effect of a spotlight on a stamped image. Start by embossing the image of your choice with Stampin’ Emboss Powder - I used White and heat-set with your Heat Tool. Choose three ink pads in the same colour scheme (I used Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, and Island Indigo) and, using your Sponge Daubers sponge your ink in a circular motion, starting with the lightest colour in the centre. Continue adding colours, one at a time, to the outer edges, proceeding from lightest to darkest. When your colours have been added, add some isopropyl alcohol to a clean Sponge Dauber and blend the inks.
I used this technique to spotlight the scissors from Crafting Forever, and used the coordinating sentiment die-cut with Stitched Shapes Framelits. Accented with a background stamp from Tabs For Everything and Bermuda Bay 3/8” Mini Chevron Ribbon, this card makes a great clean-and-simple note for friend.
Technique #3 - The Faux Watercolour
Talk about a wow factor! This technique is SO easy but it packs a major punch. For this background technique, you’ll need your Glossy White Cardstock, your isopropyl alcohol in a Stampin’ Spritzer, and a Stampin’ Ink Refill in your choice of colour - shown here is Berry Burst. And a little bonus? This technique yields TWO background pieces, so you have half the work per card!
To create this background, start by cutting two pieces of Glossy White Cardstock to your desired size (mine are 4-1/8” x 5-3/8”.) On ONE sheet of your cardstock, spray thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol, then drip your Stampin’ Ink Refill over the surface. I recommend around 8-10 drops in various locations. Spray your cardstock again (it should be very wet) and tilt it in various directions until the ink runs. Set it flat on your protected surface, and then place the second piece of Glossy White Cardstock shiny-side-down onto the wet surface. You may want to slide your top piece of cardstock slightly to achieve a more blended look. Separate the two pieces of cardstock and your background design is finished - set it aside to dry and you’re ready to go!
If you find your ink didn’t blend as desired, simply add more alcohol while it’s still wet - the alcohol is what helps it blend.
If you find your ink didn’t blend as desired, simply add more alcohol while it’s still wet - the alcohol is what helps it blend.
The focal point on this card was created with the Colour Theory DSP Stack, Crafting Forever stamp set, Berry Burst 1/2” Finely Woven Ribbon, and a sentiment from Wood Words. Layering these elements in the corner lets the background shine.
Speaking of the Crafting Forever stamp set, in addition to the fabulous stamps used here, there’s one more great stamp included in this set that is a must-have for every crafter.
The Stampin’ Up! Angel Policy means you can sell projects you’ve made with Stampin’ Up! copyright images as long as they include “© Stampin’ Up!” on them. Each catalogue has a stamp set that includes this, and this year’s is Crafting Forever! How fabulous is that?!
Thank you so much for joining me today - I hope this blog inspired you to get out your new Glossy White Cardstock and start playing; all of these products can be purchased in my Online Canadian Stampin' Up! Store using the links below. Enjoy those inky hands!
Cheers,
Shannon Lane
2017 Artisan Design Team
June ordering bonus: Use the host code VKJU2FK6 at check-out in my online store, and you'll receive a yard of brand-new Stampin' Up! ribbon for every $30 spent (before shipping and tax!)
Don't forget! SATURDAY is the very-last day to order your 2017 Ribbon Shares! Click here to read more and place your order. VERY limited space left!
Shopping in Canada? Use the links below
to view the products used to make these cards!
These are great techniques! They look so amazing, but sound so simple! I'm sort of kicking myself now that Glossy didn't make it onto my order this round. Thanks for sharing, you are amazing!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of amazing, I highlighted how amazing you are over on my blog yesterday and just wanted you to know. Here's the link in case you want to check it out: http://stampwitch.blog/in-the-city-dinosaurs/
Happy Stamping and thanks for all the inspiration!
Wow Shannon! These are amazing cards, and I love the techniques you shared. You rock!
ReplyDeleteWow. Thank you for sharing these amazing techniques and awesome cards.
ReplyDeleteI found this blog post as I was searching for Glossy yardstick techniques - thank you! The brushstroke technique was just what I was looking for.
ReplyDelete