Tip #18: Tearing and Inking Edges

I love tearing paper to give my projects a "shabby chic" look. Check the torn paper look in the card below:

And you can add a little bit of ink and/or curl the torn area for some dimension.

Tip #17: Coloring Images (Direct-to-Paper)

As shown on Coloring Tip #16, you can use sponge daubers or even cosmetic sponges to color your stamped images. But if you are a collector of mini ink pads like me, you can just rub them directly on the stamped image (or even paper edges) to give it a little bit of color!

Tip #16: Coloring Images with Walnut Inks

This Walnut Ink (in Eucalyptus) come as a spray, but you can use it with a sponge dauber (or any art/ craft, even cosmetic sponges) to color images.

You'll need a stamp (LS-B41 Maple Leaf), an ink pad (Memento Rich Cocoa), Walnut Ink (Eucalyptus) and a sponge dauber.

1. First, stamp your image(s) and let dry. Then, spray a small amount of Walnut Ink onto your craft sheet (if you don't have one, on a plastic bag or plastic table cloth)...I added a little bit of water because I wanted a more diluted color

2. Pick up the solution with the sponge dauber

3. Sponge the stamped images

4. For some shading, just sponge more ink onto parts of the image

Here's a sample card using the panel above.

Tip #15: Coloring Images (Stippling)

Here's a tip on how to color a stamped image using stipple brushes...

Supplies:
1. Stamp:
LS-B38 Pumpkin

2. Ink Pads:
Brilliance Dew Drops Pearlescent Ivy, Pearlescent Rust and Lightning Black

3. Others:
Stipple Brushes

How-To:
1. Load stencil brush with ink by tapping it on the ink pad

 2. Tap excess off on a scrap piece of paper

 3. Color the stamped image 

 And here's a card idea:

(Sentiment Stamp: BasicGrey Mini Clear Stamp Sets)

Tip #14: Coloring Images with Craft Chalks

Chalks are an easy medium to color stamped images!

You can either:

A. Rub the colors on the cardstock with your fingers or...

B. If you don't want to get messy, use a cotton swab to dab the colors.

Supplies:
1. Stamps:
LS-B40 Maple Leaf Small
LS-B41 Maple Leaf

2. Ink Pads:
Dye Inks in Orange and Red 

3. Others:
Cardstock
Ribbon
Hole Punch
Chalk (Hampton Art)
Spray Sealant (optional - if you want to preserve the colors)

Tip #13: Coloring images with Metallic Crayons

If you like shiny stuff like I do, you could use metallic crayons to color stamped images.


Tip: if you use a hot laminating machine to laminate your project, it will melt the crayon. The lighter the color, the better! 
Then you'll be able to see the stamped image better.

Tip #12: Watercoloring with Ink Pad Refills

If you have dye ink pad refills, use them to color your images!
Only a few drops in a container, a little bit of water to dilute the ink and a paintbrush will give you a watercolor look.

Stamp: WS-A13 Gerbera

Tip #11: Coloring Images with Glitter

Use glitter glues or a glue pen + glitter of your choice to "color" your images.

Tip #10: Coloring Images with Colored Pencils

Stamp: Flower from LS-A33S Flowers Set

Didn't you use to like coloring when you were a child?
So, dig out those colored pencils (or steal some from your kids!) and start coloring! =)

Tip #9: Coloring Images with Markers

Give your stamped images a little bit of color!!!


Supplies: Markers (any brand you like!)

We used Copic Markers and other brands on the WS-A09 Bird & Tree image.

Tip #8: Direct-to-Paper Technique

This is a basic technique using your ink pad directly on paper.
You can use this technique to ink the edges of your cardstock or to create backgrounds.
In this case, we're using the technique to lighten the bright pink cardstock...the color was just not right for the card we were making...

What you'll need is a white ink pad of your choice, a stencil brush (optional) and a piece of cardstock.



1. Apply the ink directly on the paper.



2. If desired, blend the ink by using a brush.



3. Check out the top half of the cardstock. The pink doesn't look so bright anymore!

Tip #7: Poinsettia Shrub with Holly Stamp

This is our LS-B42 Holly stamp.


Ink and stamp it on paper with color of your choice.
Turn the stamp upside down, ink and stamp it right below the first stamped image...and you have now a Poinsettia!!!


Color it with your favorite coloring medium.
Add a paper flower in the center and secured it with a brad, if desired!
Have fun using it in your creations!

Check the card that uses this tip by clicking HERE or scroll down to the post below.

Card of the Month: Poinsettia Card

Supplies:
1. Stamp:
LS-B42 Holly

2. Ink Pad:
Brilliance Gamma Green

3. Patterned Papers:
BasicGrey
DCWV

4. Others:
Frou-Frou Flower Jar (Fancy Pants Designs)
Eyelets
Flower Brad
Watercolor pencils
Paintbrush

Tip #6: Tearing Napkins

An easy trick to tear napkins is to use a fine tip paintbrush and water.

1. Peel off the layers that you won't use.
2. Dip the paintbrush in water.
3. "Paint" on the napkin, around the design that you want to use on your project.
4. While the napkin is still wet, tear the design.

Click HERE to see the card!

Tip #5: Attaching Vellum

Here are some ways to attach vellum onto your projects:


Stamps: PO-A01 Black-Eyed Susan, PO-A03 Flower 8, PO-A04 Flower 5


Stamps: PO-B45 Dandelion, BasicGrey Journal Block, 7gypsies Sentiments-Cards.

Other options are vellum tapes.
Of course, you can always try regular adhesives, but you might need to test them first, so they don't warp or show through your vellum.
We've tried Liquitex Gel Medium and 3M liquid glue and they worked, too! Just brush a thin layer!

Tip #4: Foam Tape

To add dimension to your projects use Foam Tape (Squares or Circles).
Other options: Pop Up Glue Dots.

Tips #2 & #3: How to mount UnMounted Rubber Stamps II & III

II. Mounting UnMounted rubber stamps with Low-Tack Tape

1. Take a piece of tape and wrap it around itself (sticky side out).

 2. Place it on the acrylic block.

 3. Place the stamp on tape.

 4. And you're ready to stamp!

P.S.: A bigger image might need more than one piece of tape.


III. Mounting UnMounted rubber stamps with Double-Sided Tape

1. Place double-sided tape on acrylic block.
2. Place a rubber stamp on the tape.
3. And you're ready to stamp!

Tip #1: How to mount UnMounted Rubber Stamps I

I. Mounting UnMounted rubber stamps with Tack'n Peel (reusable cling sheet made by Tsukineko)

1. Place acrylic block on the yellow side of the Tack ’n Peel sheet and trace the outline with a thin permanent marker.

2. Use scissors or craft knife to cut out the traced shape.

3. Peel off the yellow liner from the Tack ‘n Peel and place onto the block or handle.

4. Remove the clear liner but do not discard.

5. Place your unmounted stamp or any found object onto exposed side and begin your stamping project!

6. When finished, remove the stamp or design object and replace the saved clear liner to protect the surface until ready to use again. (Caution: unmounted stamp or design object should be removed for proper storage to prevent difficulty in removing later.)

7. When ready for re-use, restore tackiness by just wiping the surface with a wet cloth or rinse with water if needed, and allow to air dry.

* Certain inks may stain areas not covered by unmounted stamp while Tack ‘n Peel is in use. This should not affect the performance of the sheet; however, if heavy build up of ink stain reduces the tackiness, replace the Tack ‘n Peel.
* To prolong the life of your Tack ‘n Peel, store away from heat and direct sunlight.
* Adhere different objects to create your own stamps!