With the release of the brand new alcohol based pens, Stampin’ Blends, on November 1st, I thought this would be a great time to review two of our inks. It can be very confusing wondering which ink to use when. I’ve been there!
I use Memento Ink and it’s the one I reach for all the time when I’m stamping images. It’s a dye based ink and won’t smear or bleed and dries quickly but it isn’t waterproof. If you add water to your stamped image as you might with the Aqua Painter, it will bleed and smear and you’ll be very unhappy with the results.
When using Stampin’ Blends, you’ll want to use the Memento Ink pad. Since the pens are alcohol-based, they require a particular type of ink and Memento won’t react to the solvent in the pens.
If you’re watercoloring, you want to use the Stampin’ Up! Basic Black Archival stamp pad. This is a permanent ink and when you add water to an image, it won’t bleed. But, and this is important, you have to wait a few minutes and let the ink dry. If I know I’m going to be watercoloring, I ink my images ahead of time and then go back to them. Of course, the climate you live in will dictate how long you need to wait. Another product that can be used when you’re watercoloring is Staz-On, a product no longer carried by Stampin’ Up! You should be very careful when using Staz-On with photopolymer stamps because over time it will break down the stamp. If you use it, clean your stamp immediately. The Stampin’ Up! Archival Ink pad works with both rubber and photopolymer stamps.
Stampin’ Up! also carries refills for both the Memento and Archival stamp pads. If you notice that your images aren’t as dark as they once were, just add drops of the refill over the surface of your pad.
If you’ve been confused about these two inks, I hope this has helped!
If you’d like to purchase the Memento Ink or Stampin’ Up! Archival Ink or either of the refills, click below and you’ll head over to my Stampin’ Up! online store! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
Thanks for stopping by today! If you follow my blog regularly, I want to let you know that I’m changing up my posting schedule. I’ll still continue to post at least five days per week but I’ll now be posting Monday – Friday. Let’s get started with today’s card!
I love flowers and the watercolor look, so when the Painted Harvest stamp set was released in the Holiday Catalog, I knew I’d be purchasing it. It’s so easy to use but it looks complicated, doesn’t it?
Painted Harvest is a two step stamp set which means that you need two stamps to create a look! As you can see from the picture of the stamp set below, there are two stamps to create the flower. There are no set rules as to which stamp to use first, just play around with it and see what look you like!
With that being said, here’s what I did. First, I used Early Espresso and stamped the inside of the sunflower. Then I used the larger stamp (the one on the left which is more filled in), inked it up with Cajun Craze and stamped over the center. These stamps are photopolymer which I personally love because it allows me to see right through them. Then I inked up the smaller stamp (it’s more detailed) with Pumpkin Pie and stamped over the image. Just doing that is a beautiful look but I stamped the larger image again with Cajun Craze. My sentiment was stamped with Early Espresso which is included in the Painted Harvest stamp set. This was my first try with this stamp set and I’m pretty happy with the results.
The stamp set also has some beautiful leaves and new in the Holiday Catalog is a leaf punch which coordinates with these leaves. If you purchase the Painted Harvest Bundle (Painted Harvest stamp set and the leaf punch), you’ll save 10%. I’ll include the bundle in my list of supplies, but please note that I didn’t use the punch on my card.
If you’d like to purchase any of the products I used to make today’s card, they are listed below. Clicking on any of the items will take you directly to my Stampin’ Up! online store. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or email me!
Earlier this week I shared a cute little tote bag and today I have the directions for you! Here’s what you’ll need:
Cardstock
3″ x 4″ score @ 3/4″ on all four sides
(2) 1/2″ x 9-1/4″
1/2″ x 8″ (handle)
Designer Series Paper
2-3/4″ x 9″
Score 3″ x 4″ paper and score at 3/4″ on all four sides. Fold on all the score lines and cut as shown below.
Add glue dots on the ends and create the sides of the box.
The picture below shows one end of the box put together.
Add Tear and Tape on both ends of the Designer Series Paper. You are attaching it to the side that will be showing on the outside of your tote bag.
Remove the Tear and Tape and attach the two strips of cardstock. The strips are just a tad longer than the DSP, so just trim it once you’ve attached it.
Add Tear and Tape all around the box you made earlier. Remove the tape.
Attach the DSP to the box starting at the back so that the seam won’t show on the front of the bag. Continue around the box.
Attach another piece of Tear and Tape at the end of the DSP and continue wrapping the paper around the box.
Add glue dots or Tear and Tape to the ends of the handle and attach each end to the inside of the box.
I hope you’ll give this tote bag a try! If you do, I’d love to see your creation!
Last week I mentioned the new Stampin’ Blends and yesterday it was announced that they’ll be available to everyone starting November 1st!
It was also announced yesterday over on Facebook that Stampin’ Up! is giving away Stampin’ Blends to 101 lucky winners! All you have to do is head over to Facebook and Like, Comment or Share their post by October 31st. Click here to head on over there and enter to win!
I am so happy with my set of Stampin’ Blends and I’ll start sharing projects I’ve made using them very soon! I love that they match 12 Stampin’ Up! colors and each shade comes in a light and dark shade. I don’t want you to miss out on having a chance to win some of these new pens so head on over to Facebook!
If you own a Big Shot and love using intricate dies, the Precision Base Plate is a tool you’ll find extremely useful. I used to shy away from purchasing intricate dies because it was such a pain in the neck trying to get all of the intricate pieces to cut. Using the Precision Base Plate has made all the difference in the world.
I have two videos below that do an excellent job of explaining all about the Precision Base Plate. The first one goes over the basics and the second one shares tips and tricks.
In the first video, Shannon, from the home office, uses a piercing tool to poke the bits and pieces from the dies. Since the release of the video, the Big Shot Die Brush is now available and a tool that I regularly use. While the Precision Plate does a great job of cutting the paper, the Big Shot Die Brush helps release the paper from the die.
Enjoy the videos below and see the Precision Base Plate in action! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me!
