Totally Tools tips for Fathers Day
It's Father's Day today here in Australia, so today's tips are about one of our blokey stamp sets: Totally Tools. There are 5 stamps in this set, each with a different tool and witty sentiment.
Sometimes I like to use my image stamps separately from the words, and although there are a few techniques that enable you to do that quite easily (such as masking), sometimes I like to split-mount my stamps. GASP! Yes, I cut them! It's ok, they don't feel a thing. 😉
Split mounting simply means that you cut the image and the words apart, so you end up with 2 pieces of rubber stamp not one. The pieces are adhered to different parts of the wood block, so can be used separately.
And yes, I know it would seem like it won't work being stuck on the curvy edge of the block (I thought it wouldn't work too and it was kind of an experiment!), but it does actually work and the words come out crystal clear. Where possible, I would normally adhere the word to the flat end of the block, but this particular set had very long sentiments.
So now we have 10 stamps for the price of 5!
How to make the tools:
1. Stamp tools with jet black Stazon ink.
2. Colour the images as desired. I used the Basic Gray and Real Red Stampin' Write Markers. Then apply Crystal Effects, our clear craft lacquer which you can find on p144 of the NEW Idea Book and Catalogue (it's only $11.95 for a bottle, and is acid free).
3. Leave your images overnight and then cut them out. Use as handy embellishments on your cards, scrap pages or OTP (off the page) projects.
Crystal Effects looks great on the buttons Sizzlits die-cuts (p152 IB&C), on vase and glass images, as dew drops on leaves and flowers and plenty of other uses too!
Happy stamping,
P.S. Non Stamping Related: A big thank you to so many of you – customers, team members and demonstrator friends – who've contacted me over the past 24 hours about the floods we've had here in our little town. We've very grateful that our house is on high ground so we are ok, but it was a surreal experience seeing our main street totally flooded and heartbreaking knowing that so many people here in our own community have lost everything.
Hi Simone!
What a FAB IDEA!!! I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I added a link to this post on my blog? You will find it here -> http://andrealowcock.wordpress.com/stampin-up/product-tutorials/ I hope that is ok???
I have so missed popping by regularly … but we are trialing a new Optus internet "thingy" … and fingers crossed it seems to be better. So … perhaps blog hopping won't be the chore it has been for much longer! (My puter's page loading time has been unbearable … and so discouraged me from visiting other blogs!) Hugs Andrea xxx
Wow, what a great idea, the tools really look so effective lacquered up like that! Very cool!
Those tools look so fabulous with the crystal effects!! Can't believe what a difference it makes.
Glad to hear you're on high ground. xx
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