Well, I got quite a surprise today! Close To My Heart was having a Facebook contest. All one had to do was post artwork that used any product(s) from the January Inspirations Brochure. Since I had already done four cards using the January Stamp of the Month (see post from January 8th), I posted them. Two people were randomly selected, from everyone who posted, to receive the new Bohemian Alphabet stamp set (retailing at $34.95) for free. Well, guess who one of those lucky winners was - ME! This is not only incredible, but extremely coincidental, being that I couldn't decide if I would use that particular stamp set enough to buy it. Now the decision has been made for me! I love it!
For anyone else who'd like to acquire the Bohemian Alphabet, it can be found on page 11 of the Inspirations Brochure, which can be viewed HERE.
Just thought I'd share my exciting news! I will have to share some artwork done with my new set once I have it!!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
You know, after so much talk about stamping - stamping techniques and sample artwork - it occurred to me that it might be beneficial to have a lesson on inks. "What's the difference between dye and pigment ink pads?" "Why would I use one over the other?" "Can I use dye-based inks on surfaces other than paper?" These are questions I hear often, so lets delve into the world of ink pads and see if we can't get a few of those questions answered.
To make things easier, faster, and more accurate, I will be quoting the following descriptions directly from "The Rubber Stamper's Bible" by Francoise Read:
Dye-Based Inks
These inks are water-based, mainly non-permanent and usually come with a felt pad. They are available in a variety of colors, including multicolored or "rainbow" pads. Dye-based inks are translucent, dry quickly and can be stamped on most types of paper. However, images do appear brighter and crisper when stamped on white glossy paper.
Pigment Inks
These inks are thick, creamy and opaque, and usually come with a foam pad. They are available in a multitude of sizes and colors. Some colors are available in metallic, pearlescent and chalk finishes. Traditionally, most pigment inks are slow drying, but some have been developed to be faster drying, so it is important to check the label and ask for advice. The drying time will also depend on the weight and texture of the card you use.
Embossing Inks
These inks are usually clear or slightly tinted and most come with a foam pad. They are designed to dry slowly and to be used with opaque colored and metallic embossing powders. If you like embossing, these inkpads are a useful addition. Embossing pens are also available that you can use to color in and emboss a stamped image. Some of these, known as dual embossing pens, have a different tip on either end, such as a brush, bullet, or small and large chisel.
Resist Inks
These inks are formulated to resist or repel water-based dye inks on glossy paper. The VersaMarkTM inkpad can be used to create a watermark or tone-on-tone effect in your stamping. It will also act as a "glue" for chalks and paint powders.
Fabric/Craft Inks
Although some fabric inks are manufactured primarily for use on fabric, types such as FabricoTM and Crafter'sTM are multipurpose craft inks that can also be used on wood, leather, shrink plastic, and unglazed ceramics. When stamping on fabric, heat setting is required and fabrics should be pre-washed to remove sizing.
Permanent/Solvent Inks
Permanent inks are available in both water- and solvent-based forms and can be used on most types of card as well as other surfaces such as wood, acetate, shrink plastic, glass, metal foil, leather and acrylic. Most are ideal for non-porous and semi-porous surfaces. You may need a special stamp cleaner to remove solvent inks from your stamps, and these inks should always be used in a well-ventilated area.
Well, there you have it. I have also posted a scan of the ink comparison chart that is also published in "The Rubber Stamper's Bible". This chart lists many of the industry's leading brands, their ink types, drying times, surfaces best used on, etc. You can access it by clicking HERE.
I hope this has been informative and has answered any questions you may have had regarding ink pads! Happy Stamping!
To make things easier, faster, and more accurate, I will be quoting the following descriptions directly from "The Rubber Stamper's Bible" by Francoise Read:
Dye-Based Inks
These inks are water-based, mainly non-permanent and usually come with a felt pad. They are available in a variety of colors, including multicolored or "rainbow" pads. Dye-based inks are translucent, dry quickly and can be stamped on most types of paper. However, images do appear brighter and crisper when stamped on white glossy paper.
Pigment Inks
These inks are thick, creamy and opaque, and usually come with a foam pad. They are available in a multitude of sizes and colors. Some colors are available in metallic, pearlescent and chalk finishes. Traditionally, most pigment inks are slow drying, but some have been developed to be faster drying, so it is important to check the label and ask for advice. The drying time will also depend on the weight and texture of the card you use.
Embossing Inks
These inks are usually clear or slightly tinted and most come with a foam pad. They are designed to dry slowly and to be used with opaque colored and metallic embossing powders. If you like embossing, these inkpads are a useful addition. Embossing pens are also available that you can use to color in and emboss a stamped image. Some of these, known as dual embossing pens, have a different tip on either end, such as a brush, bullet, or small and large chisel.
Resist Inks
These inks are formulated to resist or repel water-based dye inks on glossy paper. The VersaMarkTM inkpad can be used to create a watermark or tone-on-tone effect in your stamping. It will also act as a "glue" for chalks and paint powders.
Fabric/Craft Inks
Although some fabric inks are manufactured primarily for use on fabric, types such as FabricoTM and Crafter'sTM are multipurpose craft inks that can also be used on wood, leather, shrink plastic, and unglazed ceramics. When stamping on fabric, heat setting is required and fabrics should be pre-washed to remove sizing.
Permanent/Solvent Inks
Permanent inks are available in both water- and solvent-based forms and can be used on most types of card as well as other surfaces such as wood, acetate, shrink plastic, glass, metal foil, leather and acrylic. Most are ideal for non-porous and semi-porous surfaces. You may need a special stamp cleaner to remove solvent inks from your stamps, and these inks should always be used in a well-ventilated area.
Well, there you have it. I have also posted a scan of the ink comparison chart that is also published in "The Rubber Stamper's Bible". This chart lists many of the industry's leading brands, their ink types, drying times, surfaces best used on, etc. You can access it by clicking HERE.
I hope this has been informative and has answered any questions you may have had regarding ink pads! Happy Stamping!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
January SPECIALS and Artwork
Hello there!
I am so excited about the January promotions from Close To My Heart! Have you heard? Close to my Heart is moving to a semi-annual Idea Book starting February 1st. There will be one Idea Book for Spring/Summer (Feb.-July), and one for Autumn/Winter (August-Jan.). Since this year, that leaves this month without an Idea Book, CTMH has come out with the Inspirations brochure - it's a sneak peek at some of the brand new products you'll find in the new Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book - only at GREAT discounts!
The main attraction is the "Wings" Workshop on the Go (WOTG) Kit. With the purchase of this kit, you can purchase all of the stamp sets in the brochure at a discount! There are 5 - one of each size (A-E). In addition, the gorgeous January Stamp of the Month can be earned for FREE with the purchase of the Wings WOTG Kit and any four additional different items from the brochure - even if they only cost $4.95 a piece! That means that you could end up with the January SOTM for FREE with a less than $50 purchase! You'll never get an opportunity like this again, so DEFINITELY jump onto my website (http://funforyou.myctmh.com), check out the Inspirations Brochure (a link in the lower-right corner of my website), and place your order today!
In the meantime, I thought I would inspire you with the cards I did with the January Stamp of the Month. I just LOVE this set, and you'll soon see why! There are four main images in the set, four single words, and one sentiment which reads, "A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and will sing it back to you when you forget the words." I have created one card with each of the main images:
This card also uses the "Lovely Lace" stamp set for the background. (NOTE: "Lovely Lace" is no longer available through a catalog, but it is available to order from my website's Online Shopping.)
I used the "Passages" paper pack for the script background (also only available on my website). You can't see it in this picture, but the butterfly was stamped twice, cut out (I cut the antennae off of one), then one was adhered to the card (the one with the antennae), and the second was adhered on top, but only at the body, so the wings fold up off the card. It's really pretty.
This card uses "Weathered Backgrounds" for the background (available on my website), and "One of a Kind" for the leaves (a current stamp set). After stamping the leaves on the white tag, I decided it was way too busy, so I layered a piece of vellum on top to soften it up a bit.
This card is only 3" x 3" - a note or gift card. I dry embossed the dot pattern into the background papers using the Sizzix Texture Boutique and "Swiss Dots" embossing folder from Cuttlebug/Provo Craft. Then I added some Sparkles to the shoe for some bling.
Well, there you have it! I hope you get as inspired as I did by this set! Remember, after this month, it's GONE! So don't wait to get it!!
Have a great weekend!
I am so excited about the January promotions from Close To My Heart! Have you heard? Close to my Heart is moving to a semi-annual Idea Book starting February 1st. There will be one Idea Book for Spring/Summer (Feb.-July), and one for Autumn/Winter (August-Jan.). Since this year, that leaves this month without an Idea Book, CTMH has come out with the Inspirations brochure - it's a sneak peek at some of the brand new products you'll find in the new Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book - only at GREAT discounts!
The main attraction is the "Wings" Workshop on the Go (WOTG) Kit. With the purchase of this kit, you can purchase all of the stamp sets in the brochure at a discount! There are 5 - one of each size (A-E). In addition, the gorgeous January Stamp of the Month can be earned for FREE with the purchase of the Wings WOTG Kit and any four additional different items from the brochure - even if they only cost $4.95 a piece! That means that you could end up with the January SOTM for FREE with a less than $50 purchase! You'll never get an opportunity like this again, so DEFINITELY jump onto my website (http://funforyou.myctmh.com), check out the Inspirations Brochure (a link in the lower-right corner of my website), and place your order today!
In the meantime, I thought I would inspire you with the cards I did with the January Stamp of the Month. I just LOVE this set, and you'll soon see why! There are four main images in the set, four single words, and one sentiment which reads, "A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and will sing it back to you when you forget the words." I have created one card with each of the main images:
Well, there you have it! I hope you get as inspired as I did by this set! Remember, after this month, it's GONE! So don't wait to get it!!
Have a great weekend!
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