ShinHan Marker colouring

Just a quick post to show what I've been playing with.  As always, click on any picture to enlarge.

 Random stamping with a new stamp set.

 Stamp of the Month in Archival black ink.  Note some are generational stamped, first and second stampings from the same inking, just to see how the markers look with pale grey vs dark black outlines.  I like how I could mix and match eyes and the eye mask shape on the owls.  Truthfully, I wasn't that excited about this stamp set, but playing with it is fun!  I got to thinking about a certain Candy C***h game owl and the candy jewel colours in the game.  Plus, there's a blog hop HERE showing CTMH consultants uses of this What a Hoot August SOTM stamp set.

 Playing around style with Shin Han alcohol markers colouring.

March 2015 SOTM, "Choose Happy" sideways again, groan, sorry about that.

Blooming Heart #1049

 No idea why this is sideways again, grrr!

Your own kind of Wonderful #D1627

Treasured Friendship #C1594

I didn't colour a lot of seashells images, I was blocked about doing them somehow.  Maybe because I am an inland gal?  I challenged myself to colour with lots of colour combinations, including candy, uggy, traditional, non-traditional.  I found if I didn't like a colour or colour combination, they could be blended with the clear blender, or toned down with grey, yellow, blue or red.  I really liked doodling with the blender pen, both tips.  I have seen some really fun things done by stamping patterned papers and cutting them out.  With these markers I found old habits of outlining with the colour and then filling it in isn't really necessary. My totally non-specific technique of slapping colours on quick and sloppy style really gave my favorite results, and bonus, it created the most creative effects!  A lot of stamp sets have shading lines to guide where darker colour detail can appear, that helps since I have no idea where shell contours would go normally.  I hope to make cards from the final results. 

Sorry this is a rushed post, I have a couple more pictures to show, but my toddler nap time ran out. 

Happy Summer to you!

Your stamping notebook: Front Cover, page 14 of 14

This is the front cover, I know its funny to do it last but I enjoy irony.  I put washi tape on the edge since I goofed up and bound the folded edge.  Oops.  I like the way it distinguishes the cover so Hooray for a goofy win!

I stamped the black image with Archival black ink, and the "ticket stub" in White daisy ink.  I poured clear embossing powder over both and used my Tim Holtz heat gun to melt it.  I am not very experienced with heat embossing, so a sample book is a good opportunity to try it again.  Of course, stamping white ink on white paper is clearly not my forte.  I sponged Pacifica ink over the white embossed ticket stub, the technique is "Embossed Resist Stamping."  If you have allergies or sensitivities, I recommend heat embossing in a well ventilated area since embossing powder is essentially powdered plastic.  Heat + plastic = fumes.  Gotta protect our health!

That's it, we have finished  the project, 14 pages, 22 techniques, and a cute lil booklet to not forget them!  Thanks for playing along with me!

Your Stamping Notebook: page 13 of 14

This is more effect than technique, in my opinion.

Stamp an image with White Daisy pigment ink on dark paper.
Pour white embossing powder over it, over scratch paper to catch the overflow.
TIP:
A gentle tap-tap will let loose embossing powder slide off = more smooth look.
A more aggressive flick-flick of the paper will let more embossing powder fall off = more mottled or distressed look like mine is.
Heat from the front or the back with a heat gun.  Its a good idea not to overheat embossing powder, it is powdered plastic.  If you are sensitive to fumes of any sort, it would be best to do this in a well ventilated area.  Heat + plastic = fumes.

In the picture I cut out the image and glued it in, because the booklet is white paper.  I bet a whole booklet could be done with heat embossing techniques?

Your Stamping Notebook: page 12 of 14

I have always wanted to do this.  Stampin' Up demonstrators have some really nice YouTube videos showcasing this technique.  The upper picture shows the basic image cut out, mounted on 3D foam tape on white paper, cut out again, and glued to the black fold out paper.  I did this to save space in my booklet.

Chalkboard technique:  Stamp an image on black paper with white daisy pigment ink, clean off your stamp.  Let the image dry or speed it up with a heat gun, pigment ink is sticky & slower to dry.  Re-stamp the same image in any coloured ink to make coloured chalk effect.

Tip: WINK.  Close one eye to make it easier to line up the double stamped image. 

Your Stamping Notebook: page 11 of 14

Ombre effect
Over Stamping

The links will take you to more CTMH technique videos detailing how its done and showcasing pretty examples.

This page is all done with the water based blender pen and a bit of stamping .  Scribble off the colour from your blender pen to get Ombre or transitional colour effects.  This is how you clear the ink from your pen to switch colours.  The nibs will stain, but its no big deal.  If they get dry, I learned from "The Frugal Crafter" they can be re-hydrated with a mixture of 50/50 water and glycerine.  I always use distilled water for crafting because tap water gets funky as it ages.  I tried it, and IT DOES WORK!  That's a cool bonus tip.  I keep a container premixed and set aside, and pour a little into an old vitamin bottle lid.  That way if there is ink residue on the blender pen, it won't contaminate my main container.  The blender pen nibs will eventually wear out, but this really extends the life of a blender pen.  They're such a cheap tool to have, definitely a good idea to keep a few on hand.  What to do with the scribbles/doodles?  Overstamping!  Stamp over them with the same colour ink or any colours.  Now you have fun custom backdrop for cards, scrapbook embellishments, Picture my Life pocket scrapbooking (Project life)...

Your Stamping Notebook: page 10 of 14

This is all about CTMH water based blender pen tricks.  Stamp 4 images, any way you like.
A blender pen can:
Fix an unevenly stamped image
Touch-up, hide or cover details
Doodle any colour you like to accent a stamped image

Blur or haze any edge you want to soften the image
Shadow an edge or entire image
Darken an image and emphasize parts
Lighten the ink from an area or even remove ink if you get it fresh stamped - CTMH paper will pill or erode away if you rub at it a lot.

Pretty versatile, eh?

Your Stamping Notebook: page 9 of 14

Sorry for my rustic handwritten notes on each pictured page, but that was simplest for me.  I used the CTMH water based blending pen to colour this stamped image (archival black ink).  Blending pens are dual tipped, just squish the lid to make an ink palette to pick up ink from, and scribble off the colour to change colours.  Easy doodling!  The blending pen tips will stain, but it is no big deal.  This is a great way to get maximum value from your CTMH water based dye ink pad collection. 

You can activate, trace, or enhance your water-colour-pencil colouring.  Using a heat embossed image or archival ink will help prevent the colour from migrating or muddying up your creation.  There is almost no odour or residue so this is a great activity for all ages and people with allergic sensitivities.  Pages 10 & 11 will show more blender pen tips & techniques.

Your Stamping Notebook: page 8 Back Cover

Cluster stamping 
More quality video links produced by CTMH for you, showcasing the technique.
Background &Texture stamping

This is an easy technique.
1.  Pick 3 small stamps, arrange them on your block in a rough triangle.  A triangle is visually interesting and adds to the random look to keep your eye moving around.  Feel free to play with any combination you like of clustering, its fun to play. 
2.  Stamp in one colour, then move to another area of the paper and stamp a second time (second generation).  This is how you get colour variations.  One ink = 2 colours, SWEET!
3.  Repeat step 2 in another colour until you are satisfied with your custom patterned paper.

Of course, my example is upside down, I laughed too, it is only a techniques sample booklet.

That's it, the end of this project.  I hope you enjoyed it and had fun trying some or all of the techniques for yourself.  If you have any suggestions for more techniques, please leave a comment.  I found 2 other techniques I want to try. Eventually I will have to make another booklet I'm sure.

Your Stamping Notebook: page 7 of 14

Bend it, Curve it!
Another CTMH video link showcasing beautiful examples for you.

This shows how a CTMH clear acrylic text stamp can be  bent or curved as desired.

The other technique is called masking.  There are loads of fabulous youtube videos detailing this technique.  Here is the CTMH Masking video link.  They show how to use "sticky notes" or Post-it notes to mask, which is great.  Another way is to use Scotch tape, washi tape, or any other low tack tape.  Here's how:
1.  If it's a new stamp, stamp your arm or clean it to get the manufacture process oil off. Put the foam padding under your paper, ink up your stamp and do a test stamp.  Stamp off the ink or clean with your spritz & scrubber.
2.  Put tape over the parts you don't want in a particular colour, ink the stamp, remove the tape, wipe away any stray ink from your block if needed, and stamp your image as in step 1.  Stamp off the ink & rub it on your scrubber.
3.  Repeat step 2 until you are done building the layers of colours in their sections.

Obviously, you could use a cotton swab or your finger to rub away the ink from the areas you don't want them instead of masking.  The with a baby wipe or cotton swab is they can leave fluffies on the stamp, which usually mucks up the next stamping portion. 

Your Stamping Notebook: page 6 of 14

Rock and Roll
Base & Shade aka Two Step
CTMH video links for you.

This shows combination techniques.  WHAT? Stop the DJ!  Combining techniques?!?  YES, we can, its not "just plain stamping" any more.  This is how we get the most versatility from our supplies.  No boring one-hit-wonder stamps anymore are they?

Rock and Roll technique has some fun YouTube videos out there.
This is how its done:
1.  Ink and stamp the image as usual.
2.  Pick up the same colour or another colour of ink and rock the edges of the stamp along the ink pad.
3. WINK, and Stamp it again.

The Two Step technique goes by a few names, and some stamp sets are designed in layers for this purpose.  CTMH made some roses stamps, and some others over the years, but I don't have any to show you today.  This technique works best with symmetrical stamps.  I think a non-symmetrical stamp you could cheat and make a rough background with your blender pen like I showed on page 6.
1.  Flip your stamp, (using the reverse side) ink it, then stamp it twice, side by side (first and second generation stamping).  Clean it off.
2.  Using the front of the stamp, ink it, WINK and stamp it on the second generation  from step 1.

The tip is to "WINK," or to close one eye to line up the images, then stamp it.  Using one eye makes  lining up images more accurate if you like that look ;-)

Your Stamping Notebook: page 5 of 14

Passion for Patterns
The link is another CTMH technique video for your reference. 

This image is stamped in  Sorbet coloured ink on Sorbet coloured paper, CTMH products, and "fussycut" aka cut out, and popped up on foam tape.  This technique is also known as watermark, especially if second generation stamping since the image would be more subdued.

The other technique is very simple, making a custom border.  This is great for random letters, ransom note style, and any teeny tiny stamp images.  I put 3 stamps at a time on the acrylic block and went for it.  This shows the idea of it pretty well I think.  Borders don't have to be all 4 sides.

Your Stamping Notebook: page 4 of 14

Kissing!
Swipe!

Here  are two more CTMH video links to enjoy.

The first technique is called Kissing, where you take a solid stamp image, ink it up, and touch it to another texture, or stamp image like flowers, swirls, shapes...  I used the back of a CTMH clear stamp to get the shape.  Using the back of stamps doubles their options.   The Smokey plum coloured star was kissed to my stamp scrubber.  The Sorbet coloured star was kissed to some produce mesh.  The Topiary coloured star was kissed to another stamp.

The second video shows really neat examples of the Swipe technique, which I forgot to put in my booklet.  Ink the stamp really well, then drag it along the stamp pad to get streaks, and stamp as usual.  This makes nice faded or distressed lines on the image.  Here anther blog post showing the Swipe and more techniques.  Click on any of my pictures to enlarge detail.

Your Stamping Notebook: page 3 of 14

This technique is called Drop shadow.  I can't seem to find any "official" CTMH videos to complement this page.  Basically, it involves first and second generation stamping.  Stamp your image once, then offset it a smidge any direction and stamp a second time.  Many people have done this "by mistake" dropping the stamp.  If you want to take it to the 3D-cartoon-grafitti level, draw little lines to connect the images.  Think of what a cube drawn 3D looks like to get the idea.

The lower star flower image shows a drop shadow accentuated with the blender pen to make a more blurred flying look.  It is a great technique for accentuating motion of falling stars, snow, rain, leaves, running creatures...

Your Stamping Notebook: page 2 of 14

Here is CTMH video showcasing basic Generational stamping.
It says "WINK" in the picture beside the double stamped image because if you close one eye, it is easier to line up the images to stamp it a second time over the first image.
The centre image is stamped once.
The lower right image is stamped a second time from the same inking.  Some people on the internet call that "ghost" stamping.  This is how you can triple, even quadruple your colour palette, especially with darker inks.

Your Stamping Notebook: page 1 of 14

Note this is not the front cover page (page 1) we will be doing that later. This is page 2 in your booklet.

This is stamping at its most basic.  Just following the instructions in the enclosed leaflet.
1.  Gently peel the stamp from the carrier sheet and apply it to an appropriate sized clear acrylic block.  A block that is too big or too small works, but can be annoying.  If you are rough with peeling stamps from the carrier sheet, the stamp (especially more delicate ones) may tear.  CTMH won't replace those because of user error.  The good news is you could tear a stamp or even cut it apart if desired (GASP!) and it would still stamp quite well if you place it neatly back together again.
2.  Season the stamp by stamping your bare arm OR cleaning it with spritz & stamp scrubber OR rubbing it gently with Rub & Remove eraser.  Doing this removes the manufacture processing residue for a better image.  If you have highly sensitive reactive skin, I recommend using the spritz & scrubber for this step or the R&R Eraser.
3.  Put the foam cushion insert under the paper.
4.  Ink up the stamp, tap-tap, twist-twist, tap tap.  Look to check it has satisfactory ink coverage.
5.  Stamp your image.
6.  Stamp it again on your scratch paper, to unload more ink = less cleaning.  Clean the stamp with your spritz & stamp scrubber. This is the scratch paper I mentioned in yesterday's post, save it if you like.

I used an edge distresser to roughen the edges of all the pages in this book.  A word of caution, CLOSE your ink pads first.  The bits of fluff mess up stamping images, and that fluff goes everywhere!
On the bottom right corner I rubbed the stamp pad directly across the paper, aka, swiping it.  Notice how it is streaky looking? its a great grunge look.
On the upper right corner I used a sponge to ink the corner, a much softer effect.
On the upper left corner I used a sponge dauber to make dots.  Here is a video link showing more Dauber Dynamite tricks.
 

Your Stamping Notebook: 1 of 15 daily posts

Do you struggle with information overload?  Forgetful of cool techniques?  Stuck in a creative rut?  Spend way too much time on the computer feeling the spinning of your mental cogs but not in the good way?

Ya, me too.  So I got to thinking of all the notebooks I've started & scribbled haphazard ideas into, usually one a year, sometimes overlapping so multiple notebooks are in play.  Sound sort-of familiar?  The notebooks were a solution to the haphazard slips & scraps of paper with scribbled "great ideas," pre-Pintrest, and the habit continues.  I surf through my rambling notebooks sometimes and discover there is very little repetition, awesome!

I decided I needed another little notebook and to actually DO sample stamping techniques in it to keep with my stamp supplies.  It is only 4" x 4", short and sweet, but not too runty either.  I spent a whole morning playing with this creation and I really enjoyed just following the impulse and rounding it out as I made it.

Are you interested in creating one too?  (I hear a resounding, "YA, sure!" reply, in my mind, LOL!)

For the next 15 posts, I am going to show how to do at least 22 techniques, a page-a-day, in about 15 minutes/day.  Or you can wait until the end and do all 14 pages, in any sequence you prefer in about 3-4 generous hours if you prefer. You can change the page order if you like, I am happy.  I will include YouTube videos produced by CTMH showcasing the techniques, since they know how to show it all pretty and clear.    

Here we go, this will take about 30-60 minutes, set aside these supplies please:

Supplies, I use CTMH supplies, you use what you have Mmm'k?

• 1 sheet White Daisy cardstock #1385 12"x12" paper
  

• Line drawing image clear stamp set 

• Solid image clear stamp set

• Words & sentiments clear stamp set

Note: I used CTMH MyAcrylix stamp sets that came with my Cricut cartridge collections Art Philosophy, and Artiste

• Clear CTMH acrylix Stamp blocks of appropriate size

• CTMH Water based blending pen:  Item # 3174

• 3-4 CTMH Water based dye inks in colours that make you happy (I used Pacifica, Smokey Plum, Sorbet, and Topiary)

• Archival black stamp ink

• Watercolour pencils (optional)

• pencil & eraser & pen

• scrap paper or more white daisy paper

• Spritz stamp cleaner

• MyAcrylix stamp scrubber

• paper towel
• washi tape and/or scotch tape
• clear embossing powder
• white embossing powder
• heat gun tool

Measure 4" to create a "tick-tac-toe" grid, and a trimmer or scissors.  Cut on the solid black lines.  The dotted lines are fold lines for the front & back covers.  I put the folded edge of the covers on the open side (not the bound edge).  I used my Zutter "Bind-it-all" to punch the holes, but any heavy duty hole punch tool will work.  Or take a few minutes with a hand punch, just use what you have.  Place the blender pen against the spine as a spacer, and wrap twine or yarn around the pen as you thread the holes.  This keeps the book from being bound too tight.  I snipped apart the pages, trimmed them tidy, and ran an edge distresser along the edges.  If you have loads of white envelopes or other white paper, feel free to use whatever size suits you, its your note-book.

14 page 4"x4" book.

All the pictures I took on my sadly weathered deck in one day.  Feel free to click on any of the pictures to enlarge details.  Now your mini-book is done, come back tomorrow to see what comes next.  Here is more information about inks:  Pigment or Dye inks.

A tip for this project:  do test stamping on a scrap of paper or on another sheet of white daisy cardstock.  If you cut out all those test stamp images during TV time or with your kids, you will have a pretty assortment of embellishments for cards or scrapbook accents.  Cluster those test stamp bits with glitter glue, ribbon, buttons, sewing...  Whatever suits you really, now you have embellishments you would've paid quite a lot more for from the store.  Still don't want them?  Swap them with friends, give them to a school, a youth group, a women's shelter, a senior centre...  Or just throw them in the recycle bin, its no big deal, just have fun playing with your stuff!

Thanks for stopping by!