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Wait until you see what Jill has created using Penny Black brushstroke stamps and assorted colors of Distress Paints. Such a perfect combination of color and image. Visit her blog, Inspired By to view her step by step directions starting with white ATC size Art Squares.
While the last posting provided step by step instructions for this masking technique, this posting is all about options using different dies and different color combinations.
(just scroll down to the earlier posting to see really detailed instructions)
This sample uses a white ATC size Art Square and Tall Branches with Leaves die from Savvy Stamps. The die was placed in different locations and run through the die cut device twice. An assortment of green pigment inks were used as well as a bit of blue.
Just remember, the steps are the same...
1. cover the 'top' side of the Art Square with with Eclipse paper and trim
(note: Eclipse paper is a product made by JudiKins and is available at many papercrafting stores)
2. place cutting side of die against Eclipse paper side and run through die cut device (we use a Big Shot from Ellison); repeat if using the die more than once
3. peel away either the background...or the object of the die
4. using pigment inks; dab and blend colors all over
5. peel away the remaining Eclipse paper
6. dredge through clear embossing powder and heat set
7. if a high gloss overall finish is desired, apply Versamark ink all over, dredge in clear embossing powder and heat set again
This die, Vine with Flower (Savvy) was also run through the die cut device a second time. While any color assortment would be great, we used pinks and oranges. Start with a white ATC size Art Square.
And how about 3 times! While you do have to be a bit careful and take your time peeling away the background, what could be more fun than this Wishing Flower die (Savvy) and really bright oranges and fuschia! (this is a 3" white Art Square)
Place the Birch Tree die (Savvy) off to one side of the Eclipse paper covered 3" white Art Square and leave room for a stamp to set the tone - we love this little gnome from Rubbermoon. Use gray and blue inks for the background; and the gnome was stamped with pigment ink as the very last thing.
Switching gears just a tad...this time, instead of peeling away the background...peel away the 'object' of the die on the 3" white Art Square; the flowers. Then color using an assortment of pigment inks (lightest first) with dabbing and blending. Then peel away the background...and the dots (you will definitely need a tool for this!) and complete the process. This Poppy die (Savvy) was run through the die cut device 3 different times.
Ok, I admit, this one took a few tries to get the bird to 'work' behind the bars. Start with an Eclipse paper covered white ATC size Art Square and after running the Bird Cage die (Savvy) through the die cut device carefully peel away the background AND all the small components of the cage (the spaces between the bars!) Then stamp the Little Bird from Rubbermoon directly over the masked part of the cage with black dye based ink, and color with markers or colored pencils. Now color the background and the spaces between the bars of the cage with dabs of different pigment inks, being careful not to color over the bird. When finished coloring, peel away the cage and complete the process.
Come back later to see how to use a stamp as part of the dabbed ink background!
With the advent of our new larger size Art Squares we have been having way to much fun coming up with unique ways to use them.
Metal dies are certainly a hot trend right now, and after a bit of experimentation we discovered a masking technique that can only be accomplished with the board weight properties of our Art Squares in combination with dies.
You will need the following supplies for this project:
metal dies
an assortment of pigment ink colors
white Art Squares - 3" and/or ATC size
clear embossing powder
Eclipse adhesive backed paper
Versamark ink
(Big Shot or other die cut device, heat gun and a few basic papercrafting tools)
Cut out a piece of Eclipse adhesive backed paper and press the 'top' side of one or more white ATC size Art Squares onto the adhesive side.
Trim the paper so it is flush with the Art Square
We will be using the Flower Silhouette die from Savvy Stamps
Place the cutting side of the die against the Eclipse paper side of the Art Square and run through die cut device. Since you are using a board weight product you may have to experiment to determine which plates work best to achieve the correct amount of cutting pressure.
When you remove the Art Square you will see that the die has actually cut through the Eclipse paper and into the matboard; but not all the way through.
Peel away the paper from the background, leaving the 'image' from the die.
Our favorite pigment inks are Fresh Inks, from Impress, and this is a great project to use many different colors in one small space.
There are different size sponge daubers in the market place (we especially love the capped ones by Tsukineko) but have found that we are also quite fond of inexpensive round cosmetic sponges. They are great for cutting into quarters and pinching with your fingers.
The goal with this project is to create color layers. We recommend beginning with lighter colors and then layering the darker shades on top. Begin dabbing with the Sicilian Blue.
The next color is a few shades darker; Steel blue. As you dab on the color with the sponge you can rub a little in addition to dabbing - this gentle, but minimal rubbing will soften the applied color.
French Lavender
Limeade
And finally, Mojito
You can choose to blend the colors with a clean sponge by gently dabbing and rubbing or you can leave it alone to see distinct bits of each color layer.
Now, carefully peel away the flowers.
An old fashioned typesetting tool or quilling tool...even an exacto knife; may be helpful.
After peeling all the flowers away - dredge the Art Square in clear embossing powder. A great way to keep the powder is in a small plastic tub.
Heat set.
You might notice that the coverage of the embossing powder is inconsistent. This is because by the time you layered all of the different ink colors, some of these color layers are no longer moist enough to capture the embossing powder.
Sometimes you will find this random effect the perfect touch for your project...but if you want to really tune things up....
You can add a layer of Versamark clear ink to the entire Art Square. Be sure your square is cool before you add this next layer of ink...and next layer of embossing powder.
Adding this additional layer of full coverage Versamark clear ink and another layer of clear embossing powder creates an overall laquer like finish.
Stay tuned - there will be more posts on this technique!
If you look really carefully, you will see that these pieces fit perfectly together, almost like a puzzle.
Visit Dina's blog to see how she used a huge Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card stamp across several white Inchie Squares to create this fun effect.
We have been getting all kinds of questions about this since it was recently posted on facebook.
YES!! We sell these black kraft jewelry style boxes in a kit! There are two boxes in each kit, one square and one rectangular, with all the white Inchie and Inchie + Squares you would need for the tops...plus a few extra (just in case). Also included are step by step instructions with photos to see how it all comes together with whatever images you might choose to use.
YES!! Rubbermoon promises to have this 36 piece Kre8tive Elements stamp set out very soon. Especially since projects with it have started popping up here and there!!
We selected 9 stamps from the set and stamped them with black pigment ink, dredged them in clear embossing powder and heat set. Then using a variety of Copic markers simply colored the squares - and don't forget the edges! Arrange the squares on the top of the box where you want them and then carefully put a piece of foam tape on the back of each piece and set it down in position. Take the lid off and wrap your fingers around to press the pieces firmly in place.
Check our list of stores to find out where you can get a box tops kit.
Jill comes up with some of the most incredible projects. Be sure and visit her blog, Inspired by, to see her latest take on using ATC size Art Squares and Pan Pastels. You will quickly understand why using white Art Squares is ideal for brilliant colors and the subtlety of the dark gray is a perfect way to use lighter colors; almost like a chalkboard effect.
And be sure and check the stores list on our web site for where you can purchase Art Squares form Inchie Arts, or send us an email at [email protected].
I am very excited to be the proud owner of a BIG SHOT! Having never before owned a die cut machine, I am now a self proclaimed novice, and experimenting with interesting ways to use die cuts with our ART SQUARES.
This project was supposed to be an experiment using a die cut as a photo tansfer.
Choose two flower photos of different colors, but each with a large concentration of color over most of the photo. (We teach photo card classes and tell our students that a great place to take pictures like these is at your local garden center or farmers market) Scan or copy the photos and print out onto standard copy paper.
To create a play on the flower theme of the photos we used the Flower Silhouette die from Savvy Stamps. Punch out flowers from both photos.
As the first step in the 'photo transfer' process completely coat the top side of a white 3" square with Matte Perfect Paper Adhesive. Use a paint brush to paint the adhesive all the way off the edges and rinse the brush well afterwards.
Taking the cut out flowers, one at a time, set them photo side down in the wet adhesive. Gently brush more adhesive over the top of them and set aside to completely dry. (you can click on any of the photos to view them larger)
When is was completely dry, the plan had been to sand off the back side of the copy paper to 'reveal' the photo 'transferred' to the square. What a pleasant surprise to find that the adhesive had completely saturated the paper and made the color from the photo seep through in a really cool way.
As a result, it was time to take advantage of the surprise and create a color surround!
Another characteristic of the Perfect Paper Adhesive is that it is actually a liquid acrylic medium. By painting it all across the surface of the square you create a coating so the square is no longer absorbent. With that in mind it was time to use the FW Acrylic inks we had recently rediscovered.
The first effort of painting directly with a paintbrush just didn't look right and a quick swipe with a paper towel removed the brushstrokes. Another ah ha moment occurred when we discovered that the paper towel would actually be a perfect tool to apply the ink - it even left a bit of pattern from the surface texture of the paper towel.
A small plastic eggshell palette was perfect for drops of ink and blending, all the while dabbing these mixed colors onto the square with the corner of the paper towel. Just keep dabbing until you have a pleasing result!
(the card stock is our exclusive dark gray - available in packages of 12 folded cards)
The fact that Dina's project started with a dark cream ATC rather than white, really demonstrates how a slightly darker background enhanced the richness of her coloring. This wonderful stamp from Flourishes allows you to position the individual poppies where you choose. Be sure and visit Dina's blog to learn the details of how she created this beautiful ATC, and to see the rest of it...since this is just the top sliver!
If you haven't started playing with our new 3" and ATC size ART SQUARES be sure and visit our website to find out where to purchase our products. Or if you know of a store that should carry our products let us know about them - when they place their first order with us we will send you 3 free boxes of product as part of our Inchie Arts Rewards Program (see details in an earlier posting)
ART SQUARES are available in 5 sizes and 7 different colors!
(Fred Mullet MagnoliaSticks and Fresh Ink Basil and Island)
Those memories of elementary school art keep creeping back into my consciousness.
Who can forget learning about positive and negative space - it was all so confusing until it was explained that positive space is the object itself...and negative space is the area around it...or the background. I was an Art Docent in the elementary schools for years and we had lots of fun teaching this concept.
I think we all get caught in ruts with regards to how we use stamps, so try this technique with any of your stamps and shake up your creativity!
As you are looking at these just remember...the images on the left are stamped traditionally using 2 different Fresh Ink pigment inks which are then embossed with clear powder and heat set. The images on the right are created by inking the entire stamp with clear Versamark, stamping, dredging in clear powder and heat setting. Then dab the SAME pigment inks using small sponge applicators into the 'negative' spaces. Use a cotton ball to remove the excess ink from the clear embossed shapes which will now show up as white.
(Fred Mullet WillowSpots and Fresh Ink Merlot and Melon)
(Fred Mullet Swirlfish with Fresh Ink French Lavender and Freesia)
This last one is almost an optical illusion...because the actual stamp is designed so that you are 'stamping' the water...not the fish...it's a visual that takes a minute to figure out!
(note - the ink colors from each 'version' aren't an exact match because the ink on the left version is heat set and the ink on the right version is just applied)
These were all created using the new white ATC size ART SQUARES!
