smART Rubber - smARTworks - WINNER!!!

Without further delay the winner of the smART Rubber Stamp Give-A-Way is........

Drum roll please......

Patti in Santa Rosa is our lucky winner of the stamp gift pack from smART Rubber!!!!





Anonymous said...
There are too many great stamps for me to choose from but some that really caught my eye are the domino darlings. The designs are so fun and/or beautiful! They would be great to use on tags as well as dominos...or any small space.Patti In Santa Rosa

Congratulations Patti!!

Please e-mail me your snail mail addy and I'll forward it on to Susan :)

If you didn't win this round, don't worry there will be lots more goodies up for grabs soon!!

Ink Stained Sketch #3

oh man...I just typed up the whole post (took me 45 minutes) and blogger lost it!!!!!!! I'll try to re-create it all before it storms! yes, more are rolling in - grrrr!!! I sound like a broken record huh? Trust me, I'm getting pretty tired of it!

On to the sketch....

Here is our sketch for this week....

and here are the results...

Sunflower x3 ATC

Sunflower ATC

(yes, I'm on a sunflower kick - LOL!! Hurting for the real thing I guess) All stamps are Wildflower Stamps.

Hello

This is a fun technique using a Stipple Brush & Adirondack Dye Inks. I'll be sharing how to make this card on Monday!

Three Wishes Birthday Card

Yep, another b-day card! No, I've not gone b-day crazy...I have a special order for a couple sets of b-day cards so I've been working on them lately. ;) Of course I didn't think of using the sketch till I was finished but I couldn't resist making this card. I love using "real" goodies on my cards ~ it's so much fun!!!

AND!!!!!

Phinny made a beautiful card using this weeks sketch!!

Three

Thank you so much Phinny for sharing your creation with all of us!! We appreciate it!!!

Remember if you have a made a card using this weeks sketch feel free to post a link to it in the comments section :) We'd all love to ohhh and ahhhh over it!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend :)

Inky Hugs!!

Birthday Cards

Today I wanted to share a few birthday cards I made. I had thought I was going to give you a supply list and tell you a bit more about them but alas the darn weather doesn't want to cooperate! I'll be glad when this weather system passes...I'm tired of turning the computer on and off all the time!

On to the cards...these card vary widely in styles, techniques and colors ~ hopefully something for everyone :)

Hope you all are having a wonderful week so far!!

Sending you all Inky Hugs!!

Fat Book Page - Bombshells

Hi All! This is going to be a short post...we've been having storms on and off all day today and dh says there is more forming - yeah - not!!

I wanted to share my first Women themed Fat Book Page for the swap I'm hosting on the blog. The first sub theme was Bombshells....I chose Veronica Lake :) When I was little I was fascinated with her because she was the only other "Veronica" I knew. LOVED her hair...I pretended to have hair I could "hide behind" like she did....anyway, here it is ~

Front (the photo is actually a pocket for the tags that follow...

Tag (front & back sides)

Back - you don't actually have to do anything to the back but I wanted to include some info about her.

The weatherman is calling for storms all week long (thru Sat) but hopefully he'll be wrong...if not maybe there will be breaks in the weather so I can at least jump on and share some of the things I've been working on!

Till then, be sure to ink up somethin...

even if it's just your fingers - LOL!!!

Hot Hot Hot!

Here is a fun birthday idea for all those hotties in your life! It's a red-hot birthday card and gift bag....full of flames - LOL!! I actually used this for someone who was turning 50 as a little joke about all the candles on the cake but you can change the sentiment for your situation.

Supplies:

Alcohol Inks - Red Pepper, Terra Cotta, Butterscotch - Ranger

Ink Applicator & Felts - Ranger

Ink Blending Tool & Foam - Ranger

Archival Ink - Jet Black - Ranger

Black Soot Distress Ink - Ranger

Letter Stamps - The Paper Studio

Krylon Gold Paint Pen

Sharpie Black Fine Tip Perm. Marker

Specialty Paper - FiberMark

Cardstock

Blank Gift Bag

Ribbon

White Tissue Paper

Instructions:

1. Cut the 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of specialty paper (or you may substitute plain cardstock - I used the specialty paper for added dimension) in half. Place one half of your cardstock horizontally on a protected work surface.

2. Begin with Butterscotch AI and apply it to the upper third of your paper. I like to start with lightest colors first because it's easier to add dark colors rather than take them off.

3. Continue by adding Terra Cotta in the center third and Red Pepper on the bottom. Blending each color with the previously added color as you go. Set aside to dry.

4. Take your second half of your cardstock and place it vertically and apply the inks in the same fashion as described in steps 2 & 3. Set aside to dry.

5. Once each piece is dry, using your sharpie draw on the "flames". I know some people get freaked out by the word draw but trust me ~ this is easy! These are nothing more than very loose curvy upside down "V"'s. You may find it easier to turn your cardstock upside down and actually make "V's". Whatever works for you :)

6. Now once you are satisfied with your flames, use the Krylon Metallic Gold Paint Pen and highlight the flames on one side or the other.

7. Mount each piece on black cardstock and attach to the blank gift bag & card base.

8. Stamp the word Fire and Hot Hot Hot onto scrap cardstock.

9. Draw a word bubble around "Fire" and cut out. Edge using black soot distress ink & Ink Blending Tool. Mount on Card front.

10. Apply Red Pepper Alcohol Ink to the "Hot" scrap of cardstock and attach it to black cardstock. Tie onto gift bag with black ribbon.

11. Fold 3 pieces of tissue paper into quarters. Place on a protected work surface.

12. Apply 1 color of alcohol ink to each of the 3 pieces of tissue paper. (when it's unfolded you will see that the ink seeps through the layers).

It's now ready to "light up" somebody's day ;)

tee hee hee...sorry couldn't resist!!!

TTFN!!

Good Dog!

Wanted to share a lo about one of my favorite 4 legged friends - Fidget. He is just so funny ~ I took these pics before he went to the groomer so I'd have before & after pics. He thought he was getting something special because after I took the first pic (lower left) he sat up and started begging - LOL!! How could I resist such a good boy...I ended up giving him a little treat!

Anyway, on to the ink....I have a real thing for green lately. I used 3 shades of Adirondack Inks to stamp the background...Pesto, Lettuce & Willow. (stamps are CTMH) The Maya Road acrylic letters (Good Dog) and the "F" were all inked using Lettuce Alcohol Ink. I just love Stampboard pieces ~ they are sooooo much fun to work with! The one I used behind the "F" was inked using Pesto AI & Copper Metal Mixative (mmmm what a combo!!). I smudged up the mats & around the background paper using Peeled Paint Distress Inks & IBT.

Have you hugged your four legged friend today?

smART Rubber - smARTworks

Today's featured rubber stamp designer/retailer is smART Works owned & operated by Susan Trask and features her line of smART Rubber stamps. You might have seen her original line of "Incredible Shrinking Women" Shrink Art Dolls/Templates in RubberStampMadness...in addition to these dandy little templates she's got a huge line of art stamps just begging to be inked!!

Susan said that, " My personal rubber journey started in 1999, but my rubber as a business journey started a few years later, in 2002, when I designed a line of shrink art dolls called "The Incredible Shrinking Women."

Having seen these little ladies published in RubberStampMadness (Issue #133), Ruth Ann McAuslin, owner of a LSS asked if I would teach each one as a class, and to do so, I designed some templates which I then sold through her shop.

Eventually, one thing led to another, and Ruth Ann pushed and prodded me to expand my designing horizons into the world of rubber... Ruth Ann was acquainted with Bill Walsh and Wendy Wyman of Repeat Impressions (my rubber pressers), and actually set up a little "visit" for me to meet them, and find out exactly what designing a line of rubber stamps would entail... This was late in the summer of 2004. smARTworks become "official" that same fall, and the rest, as they say, is history..."

Since then her rubber stamping catalogue has grown to over 150 pages with new stamps added two to three times a year! Be sure read more about Susan and her rubber journey on the "About Us" page and find out just who her "helpers" are...both the 2 and 4 legged varieties!

While many of the images are designed in house smART Rubber also plays host to several free-lance artists. They include - (The prefix codes and the artists they represent are as follows:)

ABC- images by Angi Brown, former owner of the Angi-B & Company stamp company. Stamp manufacturing rights to the Angi-B images were acquired by smARTworks in 2007.

DK- images by Dina Kowal. Along with husband Russ, Dina is a missionary currently serving the Lord with New Tribes Missions in Sul-Ut, Indonesia. In addition to designing artwork for rubber stamps, Dina keeps a stamping blog (Mama Dini’s Stamperia),and operates a digital watermarks/banners business. She is also the smART Cookie Design Team co-ordinator for smARTworks.

HSD- images by Darlene Poole of Heavenly Smiles Original Designs. Darlene is a free lance, sketch artist living and working in North Carolina.

smART Works rubber stamps are deeply etched red rubber dies which are sold un-mounted and usually in sets. They also offer handcrafted premium 3/4" acrylic mounts.
smART Works is an Angel Company - all forms of mechanical or digital reproduction, as well as photocopying are strictly prohibited. As a courtesy to their customers, smART Works offers a "Designed Using smARTworks Stamps" - image at no charge (use item # DUSS-N/C when ordering).

smARTwork sells its stamps retail only, via mail order, and at http://www.smartrubber.com/. smARTwork's accepts checks, money orders, and credit cards via Paypal. Susan says, "We gladly ship internationally, but International orders MUST be paid using Paypal. We charge EXACT shipping on all orders. That's why we ask our customers to e-mail their orders and provide a zip code... We calculate the shipping, then send them a total (if they want to pay by check), or a Paypal invoice. It may seem slightly inconvenient, but is saves them a bundle. After all, where else can anyone order a single stamp set, and depending on it's weight with packaging pay only $0.59 - $0.75?" So very true!! It's wonderful that they offer such a service! Most places wouldn't think twice about charging $4.00 + for shipping.

Susan also wanted to pass along some additional information for everyone to keep in mind...

The following pages of our website are updated monthly -- News, Monthly Feature (card project), In the Spotlight (special pricing for stamps used on our feature card), and Overstock Central (50% off savings).

In between updates, anything noteworthy is posted on our smART blog, "In the Works..."

We also vendor at A Monthly Rubber Stamps Club (AMRSC) which features 1-4 stamps sets at 25%off their regular retail prices.

Let me tell you smART Works has such an amazing line of stamps...I cannot get over the variety offered here. There truely is something for everyone ~ from vintage to country cute, nature to a stamping diva! Spirit Dancers, Petroglyphs, several pages of oh so popular Birds, Mail Art, and much, MUCH more!!! Just so much fun rolled up into one place!

I tried to narrow my favorites down to a few but well ~ it just wasn't possible. I found so many stamps and entire lines of stamps that were simply must haves.

Let me start with the Domino Darlings - these are a line of stamps available in 2 sizes. The small DD fit dominoes measuring 20mm x 40mm, the larger DD's are sized for the 1x2" dominoes. Many designs are available in both sizes but there are a few unique to each size. My favorite set of the Domino Darlings is "Looking At You". This set has 3 of my favorite images... Mona Lisa, "the Look" as I like to call her and a spiffy rooster giving you the "Chicken Eye" as my son likes to call it! I have other favorite domino sets as well - "Loggerheads" found on the same page as "Looking At You", "Sand & Sea", "In Style" and "Framed".

smART Works also has several pages of cool Background stamps, my favorite being the "Weave" pattern! They also offer up many many leaf images scattered about their catalogue...you can never have too many leaves as just in nature they are all so unique and special (you know Autumn is my favorite time of year!!) Masculine stamps are also included in their line up....from this life-like fish image and snazzy pair of shoes to one of my favorite stamps in the entire collection - the Moose image in the "Happy Father's Day" set. I have to say that one of my most favorite sets of all has to be from the "On My Desk" line of images .... Every set in this line is highly desirable but I just LOVE the "Pen & Ink" set!!! I have a fascination with pen nibs so this set is just the berries in my book :)

Then there are the seasonal stamps - many pages of Christmas sets, Love/Valentine's Day sets, Mother's Day, and Father's Day (shared above), Easter/Bunnies, and well I'll let you explore the rest for yourself!!

Now for the fun stuff....Tell me which set(s) are your favorite and I'll enter your name into a drawing for a surprise set of stamps and an acrylic block from Susan and smART Works!!! At the end of the week (6-28) I'll use Random.org to determine who the lucky winner of this gift pack will be! So, start your browsing (drooling) and remember...you can't win if you don't post!!!

Ohh! Eeeeek!!!

T-Storms are starting up again...Gotta run!

Be sure to check smART Works out and let us know your fav's!!

TTFN Folks!!

Ask Roni

After several suggestions from various people I am going to start a little something called "Ask Roni" (thanks Jan for the name suggestion!!). Basically each Saturday I'll be answering questions people have about whatever...ink things, stamping, products, etc.

Now, I know what you're thinking...what does she think she knows it all?!?!? Nope, I sure don't and I'll be the first to admit it. But I have had a lot of experience from trial and error that I can share. I have also gathered a lot of information from various people & places that might be of interest that I don't even think about (like the ink info that I had posted earlier this week). If I can't help you I will do my darnedest to find the answer or send you to someone who can.

So, if you have a question (or even a comment) you can post it here, e-mail me through my blog profile or send one to me directly at... roni jj @ g mail . com (no spaces).

I thought I'd start with an easy one that Karen asked me....

~ What do I do with all the stuff I make? ~ (She said..." I always imagine you sitting in the midst of a pile of cards, ATC's, and altered items.")
Well, sometimes I make things with someone in mind...perhaps for a birthday, special occasion or just because. Those items go to them after they have been used for publication or just posting on the blog.

When I was on the Ranger DT I had been submitting things pretty regularly to various publications (that was part of the requirements for being on the DT). Recently though between the blog & 2 DT's & a few swaps I have been keeping pretty busy so things have really started to accumulate! I haven't had time to prepare items to submit (you have to make a list of everything you used to make each piece along with detailed instructions on how it was made for each card/lo/etc) so they have just been sitting here.

I was telling Phinny recently that I have a pile of cards that if they were stacked nice & neat it would measure at least a foot & a half high! I have altered projects stuck here and there as well as a pile of LO's needing to be put into albums (I'm awful about that normally but it's worse now!).

I sell cards locally as well (which is why I make so many) so I will use them all eventually either for submissions, giving away or selling but it's just taking the time to actually get them in their respective piles and ready to go.

So yes, Karen....I am drowning in goodies here - LOL!!

Hope you're all having a simply inky weekend!!

4 for 1 - Border Stamps

Today's 4-1 deals with border stamps...they look so neat in the package but what do you do with them besides make borders?!?!? Well, here are a few ideas!!

This border is from Inkadinkado Border set...it's fun & funky and here's what I did with it...

Of course first and foremost you can use it to make a border!

But...think outside the stamp a little bit and turn it into flower stems....

Or stamp and emboss a few strips to use instead of ribbon on your projects...

And if you're feeling really ambitious, stamp the entire background!!!

The possibilities are endless when you've got a great stamp to start with :)

Now it's time for you to pull all of your dusty border stamps out and give them some new life!!

Here is a peek at next weeks Ink Stained Sketch!

Remember if you give it a try for anything - scrapbook lay-out, card, altered canvas, etc. Send me a link or an image and I'll add it to the results next week!

(not sure why the top & bottom lines are gone but you get the general idea)

Now, remember this is just a starting point...instead of flowers maybe you want to use 3 photos, or 3buttons or whatever. Take the general idea and run with it :) Can't wait to see what you do with it!!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!

Alcohol Ink Examples

Here are the alcohol ink projects I wanted to share with you... I have specified which type of inks are used on each project :)

Poppies -

On this card I wanted to show how adding the white alcohol ink changed the color of the regular alcohol ink. I used Pinata Orange w/White Alcohol Inks for the background and on the poppies I used just the Orange. The sun washed the colors a bit but in person there is a definite difference in the tones.

Wish -

Here I combined the Ranger Alcohol Inks with the Pinata Alcohol Inks. I used Cranberry from the Adirondack line and Red Chile from the Pinata line. I added a drop on each end of my felt and "swirled" the tool when applying the ink. I used the Extender from Pinata on the pad as well...helped to stretch the time I had to swirl. Made an amazing variation of color.

Exquisite -

This example again combined Ranger's Cranberry & Pinata's Red Chile. This time I did not use the Extender. You can see the colors are much more intense.

Snow Bunny

This was a fun ATC! I absolutely LOVE the Sapphire AI from Pinata...it is probably my all time favorite color of Alcohol Ink. The blue is just a stunning shade. I pounced the glossy cardstock several times to add depth to the background.

Radiant

Here I combined the Sapphire AI from Pinata with Stonewashed AI from Ranger. I love the bubble look I got when I stamped it a few times...the felt was almost dry so it was creating some awesome textures. (the domino is covered in Glossy Accents to protect it...that's why it looks funky ~ the sun gave it an odd look.)

Remember

My final example is one I made using Ranger's Pesto, Copper Metallic Mixative and Pinata's Green Alcohol Inks. The combination is just amazing adding such depth...looks like there is a forest beyond the garden gate!

BUT ~ no forest here!!! Just a little fairy reminding you 2 Play!! This is Ranger's Wild Plum and Ink Blending Solution.

Hope these projects interest and inspire you to give them a try for yourself :)

There really are so very many things you can do with alcohol inks...and each brand are great in their own ways.

So have fun and go ink somethin up ;)

This evening I'll be sharing Friday's 4 for 1 and have a preview of the next Ink Stained Sketch so be sure to check back then!

A Never ending e-mail....

I'm sorry I don't have the AI examples done yet...I've been working on getting my guys packed up ready to go to an Antique Tractor Show this weekend. You know all that fun stuff ~ laundry (because this week they wore ALL the cloths they want to take with them - DUH!), packing, gathering items the will need, shopping for drink/snacks, packing the cooler, etc. The upside to it all is I'll have 2 days of uninterrupted play time!! Woo Hoo for me - LOL!! Going to see if Mom wants to come over and play too :)

Anyway, I wanted to share something that's has been going on today that sort of tickles my odd sense of humor. (Some of you may also be getting these messages as well so you might be able to relate.) It all started this a.m. ~ I got an e-mail about a sale at a small stamp company. No biggie, I get these several times a day...cause well if I see a new stamp company I gotta sign up for their newsletters ;) Anyway, someone hit the "Reply to All" button with a ? about shipping out of the country. (honest mistake) That got the ball rolling!! Rather than e-mail the owner personally several other people ALSO hit the Reply to All....wondering why they were getting these messages (let me just say - DUH!!). Then several more people hit the RTA button explaining/complaining and it is STILL going on even now as I type this cause there was just ANOTHER message arrive. La La La...

O.k... now that I've got that off my chest I feel better - LOL!!

Oh yeah...I'll be posting the AI stuff later tonite ;)

Alcohol Inks - Adirondack vs. Pinata

Someone (sorry, I don't recall your name) asked me to share the differences between Ranger's Adirondack Alcohol Ink (24 colors available) and Jacquard Pinata Alcohol Inks (17 colors available). The major difference between the two is the color palette. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the Adirondack Line of colors - very earthy and rich tones. Jacquard's Pinata Inks while very rich are what you'd normally think of finding in crayon box....bright yellow, blue, green, etc. To demonstrate what I'm talking about I made this little chart showing what each color looks like by just dropping it onto the glossy cardstock as well as applying a small amount with the Ink Applicator & Felts.

Here are the individual colors close up to really show the difference -

Red -

Orange -

Yellow -

(not sure what happened to the Butterscotch - must have been something with the paper.)

Green -

Blue -

Brown -

I used Rust from the Adirondack line as the Espresso is so much darker than Pinata's Burro Brown.

Now I did notice that the Adirondack Alcohol Inks were a bit more "fluid" than the Pinata Alcohol Inks were. They seemed to spread much more drop for drop. Not that this is good or bad either way, it's just different.

Something else I took note of was that when pounced onto the glossy cardstock using the Ink Applicator & Felts the Adirondack Alcohol Inks tended to blend together more while the Pinata Alcohol Inks resulted in a more layered look adding a bit of depth.

There is a feature about the Pinata line that I particularly like. Jacquard offers a white alcohol ink. You can mix this with any of their colors to produce a pastel color with varying tones depending on the ratio of white vs. colors. A VERY cool option that allows for custom colors.

Each line offers their own form of blending solution. The Adirondack line has Ink Blending Solution and Jacquard has the Claro (extending solution) & Clean Up Solution.

I personally love each because while they are both Alcohol Inks they offer very different colors which has their place on various projects.

I will be sharing a few projects tomorrow made using each as well as a combination of the two brands.

Hope you stop back in and take a look!

Ink Manufactures

To go along with yesterday's post about various types of ink I thought I'd share a list of Ink Manufactures/Companies and their web-sites in case you wanted to check em out!

All Night Media

Ann Griffin Pigment Ink Pad Sets, Kids Washable Ink, Tiny Tints
www.plaidonline.com

Bazzill

Bazzinks Dye Ink Cubes
www.bazzillbasics.com

Clear Snap

Ink lines include - Ancient Page, Cat’s Eye’s, Colorbox, Crafters Ink, Fluid Chalks, Mica Magic, Rollagraph Ink Pads, Top Boss Embossing Inks, Vivid Inks
www.clearsnap.com

Close to My Heart

Exclusive Inks
www.closetomyheart.com

Doodlebug Designs

Pigment Ink Pads
www.doodlebug.ws

Hero Arts

Just For Kids Washable Ink, Shadow Inks
www.heroarts.com


Jacquard

Castaway Ink, Pearl Ex, Pinata Inks
www.jacquardproducts.com


Lindy’s Stamp Gang

Moon Shadow Mist Ink
www.lindystampgang.com

Marvy Uchida

Dee Gruenig Signature Series, Heritage Ink Pads, Ink Pad Dye Inks, Marvy Matchables, Tinted Embossing Pads
www.marvy.com

Paper Salon

Dye Ink Pad
www.papersalon.com

Prima Marketing, Inc.

Scrapbook Ink
www.primamarketinginc.com

Ranger Industries

Adirondack Alcohol Inks, Adirondack Color Wash Sprays, Adirondack Dye Ink, Adirondack Pigment Inks, Archival Inks, Big & Juicy pads, Child Safe Inks, Clear Resist Pads, Color It Pigment Ink, Décor It inks, Heat Set Inks, Nick Bantock Dye Ink, Perfect Ink, Posh Impressions Inks, Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads, Tim Holtz Distress Clear Embossing Ink, To Dye For Inks, 213 Non-Porous Inks
www.rangerink.com

Seven Gypsies

97% Certifiable Seal Stamp Ink Pads
www.sevengypsies.com

Stampin Up!

Classic Dye Ink, Crafters Ink
www.stampinup.com

Stewart Superior

Child Safe Washable Ink, Kiddly Inks, Imprintz, Memories Dye Ink, Memories Crafting Pigment, Memories Chalk Ink, Memories Metallic, Memories Mists, India Ink Black, Palette Hybrid Inks, Palette Embossing & Watermark Inks, Palette Hybrid Metallic, Palette Stamp & Stick Ink, Tattoo Temporary Ink Pads
www.stewartsuperior.com

Inque Boutique

Whispers Archival Ink Pads
www.goinque.com

Tattered Angels

Glimmer Mist
www.mytatteredangels.com

Technique Tuesday

Hybrid Ink Pads
www.techniquetuesday.com

Tuskineko

All-Purpose Ink, Brilliance Pigment Ink, Dabber Duos, Emboss, Encore Metallic Ink, Essential Glue Pad, Fabrico, Impress Dye Ink, Kaleidacolor, Opalite Interference Ink, Splendor Pigment Ink, Staz-On Ink, Versa Color Pigment Ink, Versa Craft, Versa Fine, Versa Magic (Chalk Ink), Versa Mark, Walnut Ink Sprays
www.tuskineko.com

Know Your Inks

Sandy in the UK e-mailed me a few weeks ago and asked me about ink...what types of inks were available and the basic differences. I compiled some info for her about some of the most common types of inks and she suggested it might be nice to share it here. I hope this is of interest to some of you.

Know Your Ink

Archival Ink

Archival inks are a non-toxic, dye based ink. They are extremely fade resistant; water proof, bleed resistant and ph neutral. These characteristics make them a perfect ink to use when scrap booking or with watercolor techniques.

Chalk Ink

As indicated by the name, this ink has a chalk based rather than dye or pigment base as other inks do. They become permanent once heat set on many surfaces. They as expressed in the name have a soft pastel chalky look when stamped. This ink works very well to ink up a bold rubber stamp evenly and tends to give a smooth clear impression when stamped.

Note: Chalk inks do tend to stain acrylic stamps.

Distress Inks™

Distress Inks These are an amazingly versatile ink developed by Tim Holtz for Ranger Industries. This is a specially formulated water-based dye ink that is acid-free, non-toxic and fade resistant. They do not take on a green or yellow cast when mixed with water as other dye inks do.

Distress ink colors have been chosen for their distinctive vintage flair. These inks are perfect for stamping, achieving the vintage look, photo tinting and countless other techniques. Truly a unique ink, a must have for any stamper!

Dye Ink

Dye inks are the most common types of ink used in rubber stamping. These inks dry very quickly and most are waterproof (be sure to check the label). This is very beneficial in the event that you want to color your stamped image, you can do so without the worry of smearing the ink. It is also suitable for use with watercolor pencils, crayons and paints. They work well for detailed image stamps but they have a tendency to give an uneven impression with flaws when used with a bold image.

Note: Some Dye based inks do bleed and tend to fade over time.

Embossing Inks

This type of ink is usually either clear, black or have a slightly tinted appearance. It is a very thick somewhat sticky ink designed specifically for heat embossing and in some cases may be used to make watermarks on darker colored cardstock.

Hybrid Inks

Stuart Superior's Palette Hybrid Inks, have properties which are similar to both Dye and Pigment inks. They are quick drying and are waterproof like a dye ink but they also have vivid colors and can be used on many different surfaces like a pigment. They are a very good general use ink when working with many surfaces.

Pigment Inks

These inks come in a number of very bright and vivid colors pallets as well as metallic. They are permanent on many more surfaces as opposed to dye inks when they are heat set. Once stamped, pigment inks stay wet much longer which makes them ideal for heat embossing. Generally they must be heat set on glossy surfaces.

Note: Due to their longer drying time, pigment inks will smudge and smear very easily prior to heat setting.

Resist and Watermark Inks

Resist or Watermark Inks such as Versamark when stamped leave a slightly darker impression than the color of the paper being stamped. These inks work especially well on dark shades of cardstock. They are almost invisible on lighter cardstocks. They hold chalks, resist dye inks on glossy cardstock and stay wet longer so that they may also be use as a clear embossing ink.

Solvent Ink

An example of a solvent type ink is Staz-On™ by Tuskineko is permanent on almost any surface. Solvent ink is very good choice for a number of different crafts as it dries very quickly and does not require heat setting. Because it is solvent based, other solvents such as Adirondack Alcohol Inks™ or Sharpies will cause the ink to run and smear.

Note: After using a solvent ink on your stamps you will need to clean the stamps immediately with a solvent ink cleaner as it will stain both rubber and acrylic stamps.

Painting with Perfect Pearls - Pt II

Back in February I shared a box I made by painting with Perfect Pearls. That particular project I used white cardstock as the background foundation. Today I wanted to share with you a card that I made using black cardstock as the foundation. You will be amazed to see what a striking difference changing the background paper makes with these pigment powders.

To refresh every one's memory here is the box I made using white cardstock and the Kraft/natural color of the box.

White Background....

Kraft/Natural Box Sides....

Now, compare those with this.....

Amazing how striking the colors are isn't it? The black of the paper really makes the colors just pop off the card!!

Supplies:

Perfect Pearls - Forever Green, Forever Blue, Blue Patina, Turquoise, Interference Green - Ranger

Ancient Gold Embossing Powder - Ranger

Embossing Ink - Ranger

Non-Stick Craft Mat

Waterbrush - filled with water

Club Scrap - Black Silk Cardstock

Heat Gun (to speed drying)

To make paint simply put a small amount of Perfect Pearls Pigment Powder onto the craft mat and add a bit of water. I mix and paint using the waterbrush. I find that using the waterbrush allows me to control the paint far easier than just a regular brush. It also adds depth by creating "pools" and "waves" of color.

Try experimenting with various colors of background cardstocks and see how by this slight change you will dramatically change the entire look of your project!! More to come on this subject in the future ;)

Now...Go Get Inky!!

Ink Stained Sketch #2

Well, we ended up being so busy yesterday I missed posting the examples I made using the Ink Stained Sketch #2. If you remember this weeks sketch featured a monogram letter, open space for photos or stamped images as well as a little spot for a sentiment.

Without any more delays, here are the goodies....

Sock Monkey - Laugh Often Scrapbook Lay-Out

I LOVE this paper...it is Daisy D's and it is just too much fun! I inked the edges using Broken China Distress Ink & my IBT foams. I painted the letters with Lettuce Adirondack Acrylic Dabber paint and it matched perfectly :) The pics are Bob of course...this was during our backyard photo session trying to get him to do the funny pose for the UTEE lay-out. That's why he was giggling...I kept pleading with and then I said something funny to make him laugh :)

Celebrate Card

I'm pretty excited about this card...it's made using a photo I took of my Dad's apple tree blossoms!! The "C" is inked using Adirondack Pigment Ink - Bottle then stamped with Shell Pink Pigment Ink. I wrote Celebrate on using the Inkssentials White Pigment Pen. Happy Birthday (Inkadinkado) is stamped using the Bottle Pigment Ink as well.

Love ATC

A fun collage card made using bits and pieces of various goodies. The letter is a CTMH Chipboard letter I painted with Denim Crackle Paint. Once dry I sponged Snow Cap Pigment Ink into the cracks & wiped off the excess. I added Glossy Accents & Beadazzles to the center of the letter & lower right corner. The flowery heart is from the German Store.

Dream ATC

My last example is another ATC card, this time the background was created using Distress Inks & over stamped with my favorite mini script stamp. The main image is from Paperbag Studios and was also colored with Distress Inks. The "D" is a shear letter from Maya Road that I inked using Adirondack Alcohol Ink (stream & bottle). I then stamped on the front of the letter using Archival Inks & highlighted with the Inkssentials Pigment Pen! At first I thought it needed more...you know how I can get with embellishments but the more I look at it the more I like it just the way it is.

Now for a special treat I have a few cards that Karen created using the sketch as well!! Karen not only used the Ink Stained Sketch, she also pushed herself by using pastel colors! Aren't they awesome? Super Job Karen and thanks so very much for sharing them with us all!!!

So, there you have a few goodies to inspire you and a fun and easy sketch to work with! Better late then never huh? LOL!!! Well I hope you enjoyed it and give the sketch a try yourself!

Off to the Zoo....

Seriously - LOL!! My oldest DS & his girlfriend want to go to the zoo and asked if I'd like to go :) We'll be heading to Ft. Wayne Children's Zoo - one of the nations top children's zoo!! It's a great place and happy to say it's so close.

Since I won't be able to craft till late I thought I'd share a couple of ATC's I made for this month's ATC Swap on About.com.

The first was inspired by my "Bombshell" Fat Book Page. It's Veronica Lake ~ the original "Peek-A-Boo" girl! And nope, I'm not named after her but she does have a nice name huh? LOL!!! (sorry the pic's kind of blurry...had to hurry this a.m. & didn't realize it till it was too late.)
The background is stamped with Inkadinkado Border Stamps & has Magenta Stickles added. The sentiment is by Viva Las Vegas Stamps.

The next one I made using a great new set of stamps from Nancy Maxwell James @ Sugar Lump Studios. It's called "By The Sea" and it's totally awesome! LOVE the images!!!

I stamped the background with Distress Inks & applied some Cinnamon Stickles for glitter sand around the right & bottom edges. I then stamped the applied images onto cardstock using archival inks, cut them out and mounted. Once they were on the card, I added Sepia Accents to the Sand Dollar & Star Fish, Glossy Accents to the fish. When the Accents had dried I stamped them again using Archival Ink over the top. Gave it a more dimensional feel I think.

I've got some other ATC's in the works but none finished enough to photograph. If we get back in time and it's not storming yet (they are calling for some really rough stuff again tonite/tomorrow) I want to talk about the little button I have added to the right ~ the Christmas Challenge!! It's a great idea and hopefully you'll join in on the fun with me :)

Have a great day everyone...go get Inky!!

Faux Rusty Metal Examples

I promised to share some examples using the technique I shared yesterday of making Faux Rusty Metal using sandpaper & Adirondack Acrylic Dabbers. What I love about this is it really does feel like scale-y rusty metal!!

Again, all of these cards are Father's Day Cards but you could use the faux rusty metal for anything.

These first 3 cards were made using the first technique ~ dabbing paint onto the sand paper in layers & blending with your finger or damp cloth.

UR #1 Dad

Supplies: Sandpaper; Adirondack Acrylic Dabber - Espresso, Gold, Lettuce, Hazelnut, Archival Ink - Ranger; Autumn Leaves Stamps; MM Clear Letters; hand-cut stars from the faux rusty metal.

Dad Circle Sentiment

Supplies: Sandpaper; Adirondack Acrylic Dabber - Copper, Lettuce, Bottle, Archival Ink - Ranger; Sentiment - Autumn Leaves; Man - Stampers Anonymous; Copper Brads - Crafts Etc.; copper washers - unknown

Keys

Supplies: Sandpaper; Adirondack Acrylic Dabber - Copper, Silver, Espresso, Archival Ink, Distress Inks (to color image) - Ranger; Image - Stampington & Co; Pin - Tim Holtz Hardware; Vintage Keys - personal collection

This card was made using the 2nd technique ~ dabbing a bit of paint onto the non-stick craft mat, misting with water and dabbing onto the sandpaper with your finger.

Father

Supplies: Sandpaper, Adirondack Acrylic Dabber - Espresso, Archival Ink, Walnut Stain Distress Ink - Ranger; Image - TAC; Gears - Tim Holtz Hardware; Brads - JoAnn Crafts; Letter Stickers - Sticko

So what do you think? Fun stuff huh? I'd have to say that "Keys" is my favorite card...the faux rusty metal on that card looks and feels so realistic, it's amazing! It even started to flake like real metal does - LOL!!

Hope you give it a try and let me know what you think!

Have a super day!!