Stamp School: Mirror Stamping & Brayered Backgrounds!

Hi friends! Today I have a couple of fun techniques for you to try! This will either introduce you to new supplies or help you get more use out of the supplies you have.

Watch the video for the tutorial! I will list options to get the same or similar looks with other supplies below in case you don’t have what I used.

*Save 10% off your next order of any size at ArtNeko or get free shipping on orders over $50 (whichever discount is greater you get!) just by mentioning thefrugalcrafter!  Visit ArtNeko here.

Supplies:
Stamp (artneko)
Charm (artneko)

*Below are affiliate Links*
Glossy cardstock (not photo paper)
Colored Cardstock
Kaliedacolor ink pad (this is a blank one, it is cheaper to buy this way and you can use the dye based reinkers you have)
Memento black inkpad
Soft rubber brayer
Gelli Plate

Substitutions!

Instead of using a gelli plate as a mirror stamp you can use a sheet of inexpensive rubber gasket from the hardware store, a piece of soft carving material like EZ cut, a large eraser from the dollar store, the reverse side of a fairly solid clear background stamp or you can actually buy a mirror stamp, they were popular many years ago and now they are coming back in style but if you have a gelli plate or any other of the mentioned items you don’t have to buy it!

If you don’t have a brayer you can use color dusters (or stippling brushes) or sponges to create the blended background. To do this add your yellow all over the glossy cardstock, then add orange on each side overlapping the yellow, make sure to leave pure yellow in the center. Then add read at the top and bottom. You might need to go over the entire panel with yellow again but do this last and then wash your sponge so you don’t contaminate your inkpad. You can also buff the cardstock with a tissue to help marry the colors.

A Warning!

Do not use photo paper when using a gelli plate as a mirror stamp, same goes for high quality photopolymer stamps, I once got photo paper permanently stuck to a nice clear stamp because it bonded too well to the glossy quick dry coating. It ruined the stamp and I don’t want anyone to ruin their expensive gelli plates.

I hope you enjoyed todays tutorial and think of many ways to use these techniques. The next time you are stamping a person or animal but wish it was facing the other way you can use the mirror technique and they next time you want a blended sunset you will know how. What will you try next? Let me know in the comments and happy crafting!

Sponsored by ArtNeko.

Catch a Wave (and some freebies too!)

Wow, we finally have sun up in the northeast!!! I am totally in a beachy mood right now as you can see by my latest card:

Stamp: Lindsay's stamp Stuff, cutting files (They are freebies! download below!)

I was inspired by the gals over at Caardvarks to make a window card. I filled a zip-to baggie with hair gel and taped it to back of my window. on the inside there is a gradient blue panel that I made with a kaliedacolor ink pad, brayer and homemade shimmer spray. Here you can see the card closed and open:

Does anyone else have Beach Boys songs stuck in their head?

Here you can see the inside of the card, I sealed the baggie with my "Hot Marks" tool and I'm hoping for the best 🙂

I have had the fortune to try out a Wacom pen tablet. My friend Micki lent me her tablet and I can’t stop playing with the darn thing (hey Micki, do you think you could explain to my husband why I haven’t had time to do any laundry this week LOL!) The digital stamp on this card I made by drawing it right on the tablet, what fun! To see more of my designs click here.

I colored the digistamp with Bic Markits, I wish I cut out the inside of the pail's handle though.

I know it is one of my first attempts with the tablet, I am used to drawing by hand and scanning it into the computer, what do you think? I also drew the sun in inkscape and made a svg file that you can cut with your cricut if you have Sure Cuts A Lot software. I have a scut file for the card base too and I did not forget my cricut peeps who only have the free trial of DS you can make this card with Design Studio using the George cartridge (I think there is a sun die cut on the George card as well that you can use in place of my sun svg.)

Freebie download links:

NEW* here is a printable version of the card and sun template!!!

Here is the SVG of the funky sun for scal/cricut users.

Here is the scut for the card base for scal/cricut users.

Here is the cut file for Design Studio/cricut users with the george cartridge.

Here is the beach scene digital stamp for anyone with a printer 😉

Thanks so much for stopping by! I’d love to hear any comments on the files or tips for using a wacom tablet, or if you just want to say “hello”! Till next time happy crafting!