New Package Design, Same Great Rubber Stamps!

 

Our rubber stamps have not changed, but you'll notice over the coming weeks that our retail packaging has gotten a new look.  We are transitioning to the new, DeepRed packaging.  Your order may include both the StampersBest and DeepRed ClingStamps brand. 
Another fun note: New releases are on schedule to be available May 27th!

Gelatos and Rubber Stamps





Gelatos Watercolor Scribbles
by DT Member, Roni J. (inkstainswithroni.blogspot.com)

For this technique you'll need the following...
 Gelatos
 Acrylic Stamping Block
 Water
 Cardstock
 Heat Tool (optional)
 Paris, Eiffel View Rubber Stamp, StampersBest
 French Candy Label Rubber Stamp, StampersBest
 Ink



Instructions:

1. The first thing you're going to do is to scribble one or more colors of Gelatos onto the stamping block.  For this example I'm making a rainbow of lines.

2. Next spritz a bit of water onto the scribbled Gelatos.

3. After you spritz the Gelatos, if desired, gently tap the colors being careful not to mix them.  This just helps the Gelatos dissolve evenly in the water.  Again, it's totally optional ~ it will work either way and create two different looks.

 

4.  Now stamp the block onto your cardstock.  If there is enough water on your block you can slide it around a bit for a more blended look.

If you've never worked with Gelatos you might not know that some of the Gelatos have a beautiful metallic shimmer to them.  These particular colors are beautiful when paired with this technique and black cardstock, as seen below.

 

 

Flourish Dress Form Rubber Stamp, StampersBest

Rubber Stamping Ink Pads, How-to

Finding the right type of ink for your project is important.  Here are some descriptions about the different kinds of ink pads.  Hopefully you'll find this information helpful when shopping for rubber stamping supplies.

Pigment Ink

Example: ColorBox, Adirdondack Pigment

This is a thick ink and slow drying, if at all at room temperature. Usually requires a heat setting to dry completely.  Pigment ink does better on dark papers since the color sits on top of the paper surface.  Primarily used for embossing.  The slow dry time allows you to add clear or colored embossing powder and then heat set to create a raised surface. Not intended for glossy papers or vellum unless using a heat setting.

Pigment Ink (fast drying)
Example: VersaFine by Tsukineko
Fast drying on porous surfaces and embossable on coated surfaces.  Water-resistant when dry.  These ink pads are intended to last longer than solvent-based and water-based ink pads.  Great for use when stamping very detailed designs. (My personal favorite).

Pigment Ink (opaque, pearlescent, chalk, metallic)
Example: VersaMagic or Brilliance by Tsukinkeko, ColorBox Chalk, Encor Metallic
Air dries, even on vellum.  Intended for stamping on papers, shrink plastic, polymer clay, wood and leather. Can be used on both light and dark papers.

Dye-Based (Waterproof) Ink Pads
Example: Archival Ink by Ranger, Memento
These inks will not run with water on standard papers. May not dry on glossy surfaces.  Once your stamped image is dry, you can add color with markers or watercolor pencils.  Requires solvent-based cleaner to clean rubber stamps.

Dye-Based (non-permanent) Ink Pads
Example: Adirondack by Ranger
Used to create watercolor effects. Extensive color palette choices for this brand.

Solvent Ink Pads
Example: StazOn by Tsukineko
Permanent ink for stamping on just about any surface: wood, metal, glass, plastic, and specialty papers.  Dries extremely fast. If you get it on your skin, it's like marking yourself with a Sharpie... doesn't come off for quite a while.  Great for when stamping lots of duplicates. Requires solvent based cleaner.  (My 2nd most favorite ink to use).

Fabric Ink Pads
Example: VersaCraft by Tsukineko
Pigment ink, requires heat setting to make permanent.  Used for wood or fabric stamping.  If you make an error when stamping, wash your shirt and impression will come out (before heat setting).

Washable or Tattoo Ink Pads
As the name implies, these inks will wash out easily and are often used with kids' crafting. Tattoo or Henna ink pads will dry on skin and may last for several days.

Specialty Pads
Example: VersaMark by Tsukineko
These ink pads are available in a variety of colors or clear and are mainly used when embossing (adding powder, then heat setting to create raised surface).  Every crafter has at lease one of these in their supplies.

After reading this, choosing an ink pad for your next project will be easy!  Remember to always use acid-free and archival if using for scrapbooking and journaling. 

All ink pads sold in the craft section online or in a store are raised felt.  This means the pad sits above the case which makes it easy to to ink any sized rubber stamp.  The raised felt also makes it easy to re-ink when the pad starts running dry. 

Full sized ink pads usually measure  about 3" x 1.75".  The smaller petal-shaped ink pads are much smaller at 1.5" x 1" but the shape of the petal allows you to ink tight areas.  A benefit to their small size is that you're able to ink a stamp with more than one color.  The oversized ink pads, measure anywhere from 4.25" x 6.25" to 5" x 6.75".

Most major brand ink pads offer re-inkers so if you know you're going to be stamping a large volume in one color, go ahead and buy the matching re-inker; it will save you $$$.  Happy stamping, everyone!

Information gathered for this post is based on personal experience, customer feedback and online reviews.  More to come about markers, watercolor pencils and pigment sticks you can use with rubber stamps.
Susan J.
StampersBest.com

Journal Page Airship



DT Instructor for StampersBest, Cuchy, created this 2-page inspirational journal page.  The sentiment she chose for her layout is....

"Don't believe what your eyes are telling you, all they show is limitations. Look with your understanding. Find out that you already know and you will see the way to fly."

Cuchy uses gesso, distress ink and a wet brush for coloring and dimension! See the video and get tips on how to achieve a brick wall layer and leaf embellishments.

StampersBest rubber stamps used in Journal Page Airship:

Brick Wall Background

Leaves Background

Airship

Compass



$40 SB Rewards $$$ Winner!

Laura Silvio is our 1000 LIKES winner and gets $40 StampersBest Rewards $$$.  Like us on Facebook to be entered to win free stamps monthly!

New Page for Free Digis

We've created a free digis page and have added some new winter themed tickets.  Click on the image to get this one and others. No need to login or signup to get these free digis from StampersBest!

The Angel is in the Details

I'm so excited to be a part of Ink Stains 5th Anniversary Celebration!  Roni is one of our beloved Design Team Members here at StampersBest.  

As the owner of StampersBest.com, I have little time to craft these days.  However, I love, love, love artwork, painting, sewing, stamping, the works!  I'm so glad Roni asked me to be a part of this hop :-)

{To go to the start of the hop: http://inkstainswithroni.blogspot.com/2012/11/ink-stains-5th-anniversary-altered.html

Roni is giving away some wonderful prizes on this hop (see her blog), including a Vera Bradley bag full of crafting goodies! You can also enter to win prizes by being a part of this hop by creating your own altered Altoid tin by Dec. 8th, so come play along....}

For my project, I stamped, embossed, glued, painted, colored, and sewed a pillow for the inside of my keepsake box.  I even created a matching button for the little pillow, reminiscent of an old velvet chair.  Here's what I did:

The Stamping, Embossing, Glittering, Painting, Coloring...

(Pictured below) top view of altered tin

Outside Tin Cover Top:

Duke of Windsor Rubber Stamp, StampersBest

Blue embossing powder

Versamark Stamp Pad

Watercolor Paper

Watercolors

Water Pen (instead of paint brush)

Cherub with Rose Rubber Stamp, StampersBest

Blue Glitter

Button covered with glitter

The button was made from a brown plastic shirt button, blue glitter and Mod Podge Dimensional Magic.

For the glitter edges, I used layers of Ranger's Glossy Accents (thicker than the Mod Podge) with the blue glitter.

The Sewing Part of the Project....

Inside of Altered Altoid Tin:

Silk Men's Tie (include the stiffener layer when you cut the tie)

Glue, like E-6000

Altered Tin Printable Template, see pdf below.

The Coloring Part....

Markers Used:

I used the "Ink Stained" Sharpie brand of permanent markers to line the edges of the tin and clean up the glitter edges.  They worked great on metal.

More Stamping and Coloring.......

Bottom of Altered Altoid Tin:

Houndstooth Rubber Stamp, StampersBest

StazOn Black ink

Watercolor paper, again

Jewelry pieces (for the feet)

E-6000 glue

Red ribbon with adhesive tape for around the outside bottom of the tin.

(Pictured above is the bottom view of the tin)

Altoid (R) Tin Printable Template for fabric or paper, click here.

I've provided a printable .pdf file that has the patterns for the tops, insides and bottom of an Altoid Tin (above).  It's free to use for YOUR altered tin project.  Thanks for stopping by :-)