Getting the best impression

At my most recent workshop I chatted to some ladies about how to get the best impression from their My Acrylix stamps, and realised that it might be a good topic for a blog post.
There are a few little tips and tricks that I've learned over time. You can make sure you get lovely clear images by looking after your My Acrylix stamps in the following way. Plus, as always, practise makes perfect - you'll find that the more you use them the better you will get.

Straight out of its packet, your acrylic stamp (especially a large one) doesn't give a very consistent impression, because the coating on the stamp causes the ink to bead up unevenly.

Season your stamp

1. Place stamp on a block and rub gently on your arm. Your stamp will become cloudy.

2. Ink well (tap tap twist twist) in a pale colour such as Bamboo.

3. Stamp multiple times on scrap paper, until the impression you are getting is even.

4. Clean with the stamp scrubber and spritz cleaner especially made for My Acrylix stamps.

Discolouration

Over time your stamp will build up colour, especially if you use intense inks such as Ruby or Black. This is a natural process and can't be completely avoided, but you can minimise colouring by seasoning your stamp (as above).
Also b sure to clean the stamp after you have used it with Spritz Cleaner sprayed on the stamp scrubber. Don't let the stamp sit for long periods of time with ink on it.
I have been able to remove some colour by soaking the stamp overnight in a strong solution of Stamp Spritz.
Using Archival ink and Versamark ink will colour your stamp permanently and is one of the reasons I only use Archival ink when there is a very good reason.

Conditioning your My Acrylix stamp

When you use the Spritz Cleaner after using your stamp, you are not only removing the ink, you are also conditioning the stamp. This keeps it supple. Many lower quality acrylic polymers crack or harden over time and make stamping a clean impression impossible. When you condition your stamp you are increasing its stamping life, so don't skip this step!

Beading

Sometimes, especially with stamps that have large blocks of solid colour, it's difficult to get a flat, consistent image. The ink continues to swell up in some places and not in others. To stop this happening you will need to break through that oily (water resistant) layer left over from manufacture. I find that stamping it again and again on scrap paper will eventually reduce the beading, but you can speed up this step by rubbing the stamp gently with a clear rubber (or adhesive remover). Don't forget to use the spritz as well, and your stamps should be giving clear impressions in no time.

Your stamping surface

If you are still struggling to get a clear impression after following the tips above (and this sometimes happens with the centre of a large stamp), check the surface of your stamping station. I use the underside of my VersaMat, which is foam, and gives me a soft spongy surface so that the centre of the stamp can find the paper. However, if you don't have a VersaMat, use the foam packaging that comes with your My Acrylix stamp set. It's important that the surface underneath your paper is soft, and not hard.

April Workshop - Pathfinding

Seven ladies came to create their Pathfinding pages on Friday night. We used a decorative stamp from the Pathfinding WOTG kit to create the border at the top of the pages, plus the pattern on the bottom left of the pages.

 We used the leaf and acorn stamps from the same set and some strong colours like Barn Red, Olive and Autumn Terracotta to overlay the pattern and create our own embellishments.

 The ladies created some lovely pages and we also had a good time catching up with news and views form the month. Next month we will have two Friday nights to get together.

Kids Holiday Class

Some fab projects were completed today at the second kids holiday class. First the girls made a little trio of 3" notecards using the Cuddly Salutations hostess set.

The second project was a trifold card, and the third a sticky note gift. We just had time to squeeze in a fourth project which was a birthday swing card using Thistle cardstock and Confetti Wishes paper.

Kids' Holiday Class

We had a great kids' class this morning! Our focus was on completing one of the new Close to My Heart Folio Albums. These gorgeous wee albums are strong chipboard covers over a concertina fold of Kraft panels 4x4" in size. There are spaces for 10 photos, stories or sentiments on the inside, plus of course the outside covers for decorating.

 We used papers and co-ordinating cardstock colours from the brand new Blossom range, a paper packet exclusive to the new Seasonal Expressions 2 book.

 

The children all completed their albums and now just have to add the photos and journaling.

As you can see by the photos, it was a beautiful day and the Gleniti Hall is a fabulous venue with lots of natural light!

Watch this video for an insight into how the Folio Album is put together and some ideas for using the album for a Kids' Class yourself.

April's Stamp of the Month

Welcome to the Australasian Blog Hop for the very very awesome April Stamp of the Month!
If you have arrived here from Wendy Hopper's blog - Expressions of the Heart - you are in the right place. Feel free to browse all the ideas which the Aussie and NZ consultants have put together for you to be inspired by, comment as you go, and hop along to the next blog at the end of each post.

I love this stamp set. I know most of my customers have had their eye on it for months! If you're into cardmaking it's an absolute must-have - such a versatile set. It's a set of 19 - yes, you read that right - a set of NINETEEN! - stamps worth $33 and only available this month. However, if you would like to get this amazing set for $5, contact your CTMH consultant. With an order of $75 you'll be able to add this set for just $5 - and it won't be hard adding your order up to that threshold this month, believe me! To find out more about the Stamp of the Month programme, click here.

Here's my very quick and easy card using the Typed Note set and the new masculine themed papers, Jackson (NEW PRODUCT!!):

 I teamed the stamp set with cardstock in Cocoa and Juniper, which matched the colours in the pattern piece I was using from the paper packet. All three strips are cut to 1.75x3.75". I embossed the Cocoa piece with the chevron folder to give it more dimension.
To see more about the Jackson paper packet, have a browse through the new Seasonal Expressions magazine.

 I stamped the typewriter image with Cocoa ink and the sentiment in Glacier. The Glacier ink matched with the Glacier extra thick twine (NEW PRODUCT!!) I used along the bottom third of the card. As you can see I popped the typewriter up on foam tape.

I hope that you liked my wee project and that it helps you plan your cards using this very cool stamp set!
Hop on over now to Doris Taylor's Creative Inspirations for more SOTM ideas.
Thanks for stopping by!

It's here!

The New Seasonal Expressions Magazine is out!

And it's full of so many beautiful new items I know you'll love.
Here are some of my favourites...

THIS stamp set

BOY PAPERS!!! Yay!

Two new styles of mini Albums great for kids...

New embellishments including twine and sequins.

Click here to browse online through all the new products for yourself. If you are placing an order with me this month, I will be sure to add a copy of the new Expressions magazine to your order.