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Color Your World with Stampin’ Blends

February 25, 2020

Just Add Color

This year, February has an extra day in it (Happy Leap Year 2020!). That means one more day of winter. Days, in my state, that are typically gray and brown and drab. So then, what’s a crafty person to do with this time on their hands? Color your world a pretty place, with Stampin’ Up!’s Stampin’ Blends.

Stampin’ Blends were introduced in 2018. When they first became available, there were 12 different colors, each with a light and dark shade. Ivory, Bronze and the Color Lifter round out the collection. Fast forward to the 2019-2020 Annual Catalog, and you can purchase blends in 36 exclusive Stampin’ Up! colors.

Stampin' Blends Collection — Pink Pirrouhette is a retired color, so the blends in that tone are no longer available.

Using Stampin’ Blends

Everyone can get professional looking results when coloring your world with Stampin’ Blends. These alcohol markers feature dual tips that don’t fray. The brush end is for larger images and the fine tip is for details. With minimal effort, you will glide ink on with ease, creating effortless shading and great coverage. Instant Artist!

Step 1

Stamp your image in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink onto Whisper White Cardstock. To get the darkest image possible, use the Stamparatus to apply multiple layers of black ink without fear of lining up the stamp properly each time. Choose an image that has plenty of coloring opportunity for the most fun.

Band Together Stamp Set and Stamparatus — The Stamparatus is a great tool with tons of features.

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink (water based) must be used when coloring with Stampin’ Blends (alcohol based). Just keep in mind the old adage, “opposites attract”. If you were to use StazOn Ink (alcohol based) in error, the blends color would bleed into the black ink outline and create…mud. Yuck.

Step 2

Next, place your image to be colored on a protective surface or use scrap paper underneath. The blends are designed to saturate the paper with intense color. As a result, the ink will bleed thru the back in some areas.

Start coloring, using both the light and dark shades of a Stampin’ Blend color. It doesn’t matter which tone is chosen first, the outcome is the same. No matter how much color you apply, the alcohol ink will not pill up and ruin your paper. And, you can color right over the inner black ink image lines with no ill effect.

Coloring with Stampin' Blends — This oversized flower image from the stamp set, Band Together, was colored with Stampin’ Blends in So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Granny Apple Green.

I prefer to begin with the lighter blend and apply generous coverage, then add some shadowing with the dark blend, followed by another application of light to soften the lines. A circular or scribble motion will help blend your color edges together.

Step 3

Use the Color Lifter as desired to change the look of your Stampin’ Blends coloring. This step is optional but will give your design another color dimension.

The Color Lifter appears to be a white marker, due to the cap color. Actually, it’s more like an invisible ink. It can be used to soften colors, as the ink “lifts” some of the shading off the paper. The Color Lifter will clean up edges as well as create highlights on your image.

Additional Tips and Uses of Stampin’ Blends

The artistic results you receive when using the Stampin’ Blends are phenomenal, but they do more than color stamped images. You can also color ribbon, changing white or ivory into your chosen tone. Do the same with embellishments like rhinestones, pearls and buttons.

Whisper White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon — I colored the Whipser White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon on the Silicone Craft Sheet. I cleaned the excess ink off the craft sheet with a baby wipe.

Stampin’ Blends have a rectangular barrel, so they won’t roll off the table like traditional markers. You should store the blends horizontally, so ink is readily available at either end of the marker. Stampin’ Up! offers stackable storage units for your blends to make organization easy.

Stampin' Blends Storage Trays — One set of trays will hold 30 Stampin’ Blends.

The Stampin’ Blends end caps let you know at a glance what color ink lies inside. Replace the tight fitting caps immediately after using your blend to prevent the alcohol ink from drying out too quickly. The blends are not refillable, but since they are sold individually, it is easy to replace one if you need to.

Stampin’ Blends make coloring quick, easy and fun with spectacular results. For a quick reference guide to Stampin’ Blends, print or pin a copy of my Do’s and Don’t’s Cheat Sheet.

Take your projects from drab to fab by adding some of these rainbow making tools to your crafty stash today. Visit my online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net and start with your favorite colors. Let your collection of Stampin’ Blends grow, and color your world.

My finished card also uses the Detailed Bands Dies and the Brick and Mortar 3D Embossing Folder.

No Purple Posy Ink Pad, No Problem

February 21, 2020 1 Comment

The Lack Of Purple Posy Ink Pad

In my previous blog post, The Purple Posy Collective, I spoke of the numerous crafty items that are available in the 2019-2021 In Color, Purple Posy. You can get paper, ribbon, embellishments, stampin’ write markers and stampin’ blends. However, there is no Purple Posy Ink Pad; I will show you how this is no problem.

So, you may be wondering, how you would use this beautiful color without an ink pad? After all, the ink pad is what you use to make color as you stamp. Now it seems like a big part of the puzzle is missing. Actually, you will find that it isn’t.

There are so many ways, when stamping, to replicate a specific color without actually using that specific color. And in this post, I am going to show you some methods. Read on, and prepare to experiment with Purple Posy.

Make Your Own Purple Posy Ink

It is easy to stamp on Purple Posy Cardstock using VersaMark Ink to create a tone on tone look. VersaMark gives a perfect watermark effect. No matter what color paper you use, VersaMark images pick up the same hue. Purple Posy is a very light color, so the VersaMark ink re-creates the subtle hue.

Very Versailles Stamp Set with VersaMark

Be sure your VersaMark pad is well inked for best results. It is always best to have re-inkers on hand for every stamp pad you own. I apply the re-inker drops liberally and spread them into the foam pad using the back of a plastic spoon. You can also use your bone folder for this, keeping in mind darker ink will stain it.

Stamp an image on Purple Posy Cardstock using VersaMark, then add clear embossing powder and heat emboss. This technique creates the tone on tone look as well, but adds depth, volume and shine.

I really like the way the clear embossing powder darkened the overall look of the stamped image. Take care not to overheat your embossing powder. Also, use of the embossing buddy before stamping keeps unwanted powder off your paper.

Stampin’ Spritzers can be used to spray color saturation on your paper. Add 6-8 drops of Highland Heather Ink Refill (darker in color than Purple Posy, but a light purple tone as well) and dilute with rubbing alcohol. Rubbing Alcohol is preferred to water, since the alcohol base dries quicker.

Shake your spritzer well before each use to avoid settling or separation. Before using it on your project, you may need to flatten your color-spritzed paper. Watercolor Paper or Shimmery White Cardstock work nicely with these wet procedures. And don’t rule out Glimmer Paper for extra sparkle.

Sponging is one of my favorite coloring techniques. Again, use Highland Heather ink, then choose from the Sponge Brayer, Stamping Sponge or Aqua Painter. By applying ink in this manner, you create a softer look, making the darker Highland Heather look more like the lighter Purple Posy. Apply a little or a lot, you are the artist.

When using the aqua painter, I like to place a drop of ink refill directly onto my clear stamp block. I pick up the color with the dampened aqua painter brush, and add more water to my project by squeezing the barrel to release the contained water thru the bristle ends. Practice makes perfect.

Stampin’ Write Markers are great for coloring directly onto red rubber cling stamps. This method allows you to apply multiple colors of ink before stamping an image as well. After applying the marker ink(s) to the stamp, huff (exhale breath to moisten) the red rubber, then stamp. By holding the stamp to the paper longer, more ink is transferred for a darker saturation.

Lastly, use the Stampin Blends in light or dark to color stamped images. Stamp your image first using Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, then blend away with the high quality, dual tipped markers. The specialty alcohol ink in the blends creates a deep rich artistic color. Make sure to color on a protective surface as these markers bleed thru paper.

Putting Purple Posy Together

Creating with Purple Posy is such a delight. This soft color lends delicacy and impressive elegance to your projects. Following are 2 cards that I completed using the parts and pieces of my above examples.

There are so many ways to incorporate this sweet shade into your next work of art. Take advantage of all Purple Posy has to offer while it remains active in the color line-up.

If you need any of the Stampin’ Up! products used to create with Purple Posy, visit my online store, https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net. I hope you try one or more of these resourceful methods with happy success.

Braided In Beauty

January 29, 2020 2 Comments

The stamp set, Beautifully Braided, is new to the Stampin’ Up! January-June 2020 Mini Catalog. With so much focus on other flower stamp sets and bundles, Beautifully Braided could be considered by some to be a bit of a sleeper. You can combine the purchase of Beautifully Braided with the Braided Border Punch for a 10% bundle savings.

Unlike most bundles, the stamp set can certainly stand on its own. Similarly, the punch does not specifically require the stamp set. The connection between the two is a single dotted stamp in the pattern of the punch design. Regardless, each component makes wow cards, and who doesn’t love a bargain?

*Full disclosure, I bought this bundle for the punch and fell madly in love with the stamp set. When in doubt on a purchase, you should always go for the bundle.

Beautifully Braided Bundle, Item #153821 https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net

Card Genre

I applaud a large stamp image that can be used frequently. This generous sized flower stamp from Beautifully Braided requires clear block f, the big daddy! Consider it for birthday, sympathy, thinking of you, congrats, Easter, Mother’s Day cards, and more. The sentiments are unique and refreshing, speaking to us of friendship and kindness.

Card Design

This flower stamp looks clean and crisp done in black and white. When you add color, you add endless possibilities. For you doodle fanatics- grab those markers, blends or watercolor pencils and go for it. Hello quick stamp and go peeps or newbies- this is designed for you. My technique freaks- heat emboss, watercolor, spotlight.

Stamp direct for a deeper color or stamp off for a subtle look. The filler stamp is not an exact match, so stamping is super easy- no perfect alignment needed for this artsy look.

Add additional color with blends or markers. Then tap the uncapped end of either with your bone folder over your stamped image. This creates a sporadic and delicate splatter effect.

Braided Border Punch

Border punches are not new to Stampin’ Up!. Yet the directive to punch, align and repeat can be tricky. It takes a little practice and patience to get it right. Therefore, I have a few tips that may help you in creating an awesome border.

Choose the correct paper size for the punch. Bigger is better!

Steady your punched paper as you align and punch again. Make sure the paper edge on the right remains flush against the punch lip (all the way to the back).

Are you still having trouble making perfect punched borders? A simple solution is to hide the imperfections. First, add ribbon thru the lattice style opening, then knot or tie a bow. Next, tuck the border behind some pretty top layers.

My less than perfect punched border. Coverups are in the works.

Make your border long and wrap the ends around the back when layering. Supermarket shortcut: secure with ordinary tape. No messy adhesive required in the front!

Sentiment Use

Do you love the sentiment, but have no room to stamp all of it? You should mask and condense. Here, I used the word “smile” from the stamp “your smile brightens my day”. Certainly you could stamp the complete version to the inside of the card for continuity.

No need to ink the entire saying, just the portion needed. It’s okay to get ink on surrounding words as long as you don’t go crazy, that’s where the next step takes effect.

Painters tape masks unwanted images, and removes easily from the block and stamp. Use the straight edge of the tape (not jagged) against your inked selection.

Align and stamp. The painters tape keeps unwanted ink off your project.

Colorful Cards

Above all, the beauty of the Beautifully Braided stamp set is its simple versatility. The Braided Border Punch can be used in limitless ways. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram as I share additional cards made with this great bundle.

Be sure to shop my online store and add the Beautifully Braided Bundle to your collection. Most importantly, start creating your own colorful garden projects. Share with others, and make them smile. You’ll be glad you did!