Inside and Outside Part 2

You have seen what you can do to provide an easy writable surface on the inside of a dark card base.  Now we are going a step further to what can be done to make the interior of your card match the exterior.
In card front 1a you see a very simple elegant design.  On the [...]

Inside Your Card, Part 1

 
 
A card base from dark cardstock is very dramatic and elegant, you just need a white or light gel pen to write on the inside.  This can be a real problem if you are using those cards as a gift.  Gel pens can be a little touchy to write with.  I have found an easy [...]

Border Punches and Getting It Square

Measuring to correctly position border punches can be a long drawn out and frustrating process.  Here is a way to position those punches perfectly, and as a bonus, how to use a quilt ruler to square up a stamped image or phrase.

Using a scrap of vellum that has a straight edges, punch with your various [...]

Heat Embossing Hints

by: Shelly Newkirk
Your goal when heat embossing is to melt the embossing powder to the paper.  This can be done without a heat gun if you are desperate, but I would not advise it on a regular basis.  When I have tried it over a toaster, candle or stove burner, I usually had one of [...]

Inking Detailed Stamps

These stamps are also called art stamps and photo art stamps.  They are very highly detailed and are often taken from vintage photos or clip art.  It can be very frustrating to get the right amount of ink distributed evenly over the entire stamp.
One of the problems is that the tiny crevasses can become filled [...]

Why Can’t I Get The Same Results?

You have just been on Stamper’s Quest and saw the most beautiful card.  Now you are trying to reproduce that card using the directions and techniques listed.  It is just not working.  Don’t give up.  It’s may not be you, and there is hope.  There are a number of factors that can and frequently do [...]

Why I use sponging

As you can see from the picture, sponging can make a dramatic difference in the appearance of a design.  I use a round sponge for most of my sponging because it doesn’t leave harsh edges.  One of the secrets to successful sponging of edges is to have a light touch.

One of my favorite inks for sponging [...]

Burned Edges

by: Shelly Newkirk
Burning the edges with ink is an easy way to get a very Vintage look.  I use two to four shades of brown ink with the final very outer edge of black ink.  The ink can be applied with a sponge or a square of Cut n Dry foam (Ranger).  With the Cut n [...]

Handle Your Heat Gun

If you are a stamper then you probably own a heat gun.  It is usually one of the essential tools after stamps and ink.  I have stamped for 17+ years and have owned two makes of heat guns in that time.
My first three heat guns came from the same manufacturer.  The first of those lasted [...]

Blending Solution Substitute

Blending solutions for alcohol inks can be very expensive.  Want a great inexpensive substitute to refill that blending solution bottle with?  It’s right there at your local pharmacy.  91% isopropyl alcohol can be found on the shelf right next to the 70% alcohol.  A 16 oz bottle costs between $2 to $4. 
I have used this with [...]

Old Truck Photo Card #2

Old Truck Photo Card #2
By: Shelly Newkirk, Artistic Guide
Finished card size: 4.24 x 5.5
Supplies:
Stamps:
Flourish (unknown)
Crackle background (unknown, possibly TAC)
Paper:
White card stock (Georgia Pacific)
    card base and seperate piece for background stamping
Black text weight paper (unknown)
Ink:
Jet Black Archival ink pad (Ranger)
 Soot Black Distressed ink pad (Ranger)
Other:
Sponge
Heat gun or craft iron
Water mister
Glue (Crafter’s Pick Ultimate Glue)
Thread cutter or any tool [...]

Photos On Cards

 
Photos On Cards
By: Shelly Newkirk, Artistic Guide
Finished Card Size: 5.5″ x 4.25″
Supplies:
Stamps:
“Just For You”  (River City Rubber Works)
Paper:
11″ x 8.5″ scrapbook paper (K & Company, Studio K, Meadow & Breeze paper pad)
Gray-green cardstock (unknown)
Ink:
Library Green Archival Ink (Ranger)
Jet Black Archival Ink (Ranger)
VersaMark (Tsukineko)
Other:
Black fine line embossing powder
Ticket punch (Stampin’ Up!)
Directions:

Attach the scrapbook paper of your [...]

Old Truck Photo Card #1

Old Truck Photo Card #1
by Shelly Newkirk, Artistic Guide
Finished card size: 4.25″ x 5.5″
Supplies:
Stamps:
Crackle background stamp (unknown, possibly TAC)
Pitcher pump and bucket (Ink Blocks)
Flourish (unknown)
Paper:
White card stock card base and a seperate piece of white card stock (Georgia Pacific)
Black text weight (unknown)
Inks:
Jet Black dye ink (Ranger Archival Ink)
Soot Black (Ranger Distressed Ink)
Other:
Sponge
Fine mist spray bottle [...]

Old Wringer Washer

Old Wringer Washer
By: Shelly Newkirk, Artistic Guide
Finished card size: 4.25″ x 5.5″
Supplies:
Stamps:
Flourish border stamp (Magenta)
Net stamp (B-Line)
Paper:
White card stock (Georgia Pacific)
 Black text weight (unknown)
Ink:
 Jet Black Archival Ink (Ranger)
Soot Black Distressed Ink (Ranger)
Other:
Sponge
Layering rulers (Color Workshop’s Perfect Layers)
Water mister
Heat gun or craft iron
Thread cutter (paring knife or table knife will work as well)
Directions:

Cut white cardstock to [...]

Respect the Mountain Lion Card for the Discoverer

Respect the Mountain Lion
By: Shelly Newkirk, Artistic Guide
Finished card size: 4.25″ x 5.5″
Supplies:
Stamps:
Mountain lion stamp (Whispers)
Paper:
2 sheets white card stock (Georgia Pacific)
Ink:
Jet Black Archival Ink (Ranger )
Other:
Sponge
Yellow colored pencil (Rose Art)
Glue (Crafter’s Pick Ultimate Pick)
Directions:

Cut card base of  8.5″ x 5.5″. Fold in half to create a card measuring 4.25″ x 5.5″.  Heavily sponge black [...]

Mysterious Wolf for the Adventurer

Mysterious Wolf
By: Shelly Newkirk, Artistic Guide
Finished card size: 4.25″ x 5.5″
Supplies:
Stamps:
Wolf stamp (Whispers)
Pine bough with pine cones (unknown)
Paper:
White card stock (Georgia Pacific)
Ink:
Jet Black Archival Ink (Ranger)
Other:
Sponge
Dark yellow and brown colored pencils (Rose Arts)
Glue (Crafter’s Pick Ultimate Glue)
Directions:

Cut white cardstock to 8.5″ x 5.5″. Fold in half to create a card measuring 4.25″ x 5.5″.

Sponge black [...]

A Tribute to Windmills for the Inventor

Windmills
By: Shelly Newkirk, Artistic Guide
Finished Card Size: 4.25″ x 5.5″
Supplies:
Stamps:
Border flourish (Magenta)
Crackle (JudiKins)
Old windmill ( B & J Art Stamps)
Paper:
2 pieces white card stock (Georgia Pacific)
Black text weight
Ink:
Jet Black Archival Ink (Ranger)
Soot Black Distressed Ink (Ranger)
Other:
Sp0nge
Water mister
Layering rulers
Heat gun or craft iron
Glue (Crafter’s Pick Ultimate Glue)
Directions:
There are two versions of this particular black and white [...]

Sunday International Continues

Sunday International is probably best known for its EZ Mount cushion for unmounted stamps, but there are loads of other proecuts for sale on the website. They have tools to help cut the EZ Mount cushion in the form of a wood burner tool or scissors, a glass mat to aide in burning the cushion, [...]

Rubbadubbadoo Day 4

We have even more samples to share with you today with images from the Rubbadubbadoo stamp company.  Check out their website for more than 3,000 rubber stamp images.  To receive your 15% discount, through the month of May, don’t forget to enter Stamper’s Quest in the information box on your order form.
Today we showcase the [...]

Vintage Wedding for the Inventor

 
Vintage Wedding
By: Shelly Newkirk, Artistic Guide
                                                                                 Finished Card Size: A2 – 4.25″ x 5.50″
Supplies:
Stamps:
None
Paper:
Tracing paper
Light grey cardstock (unknown)
Old World Stack (DCWV)
Black cardstock (unknown)
Gold gift wrap
Ink:
Black dye ink (Ranger Archival)
Gold pigment ink (Colorbox or any metallic gold ink you have on hand)
Brown inks (various Distressed Inks by Ranger)
Other:
Vintage type button
Piercing template (unknown)
Decorative scissors: deckle and victorian (Fiskars)
Repositionable [...]