Sunday, November 11, 2012

STAMPING WITHOUT INK...AT LEAST ON SOMETHING!

It's another Monday and time for a new challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show.  This week's theme is Stamping Without Ink.  Stop by the blog and check out the really impressive pieces of art that my Design Team buddies have created for you this week!  

Hmmm...stamping with out ink.  Well, at least SOMETHING has to be stamped without ink.  My first thought was "paint".  So, I did do a little bit of paint stamping on my project but I also tried something I've never done before ... stamping with bleach.  I loved it!


Here is my finished project.  It is a Pocket Tag; suitable for an ATC or whatever small item you might want to stick in the pocket.

I recently purchased Artistic Outposts' Whimsical Melange stamp set and wanted to use it so badly.  I also had a very cute vintage winged girl stamp so I decided to combine the two and give this pocket tag a sort of butterfly or winged theme.. 

I began with a #8 manila tag and I inked the entire tag using Evergreen Bough, Squeezed Lemonade and Wild Honey Distress Stains.  Since I was going for a butterfly theme, I decided to use two of Kaisercraft's butterflies from their Tigerlilly Clear Stamp set.  But I didn't stamp them with ink!  I stamped them with bleach.

As I said, I've never done this before so I practiced a few times before stamping on my inked tag.  First, I got some paper towels and created about 4 layers of them.  Then I put them on a non porous plate and slowly poured straight bleach onto the paper towels.  When they were soaked enough that a little bleach was sitting on the plate, I knew I had enough.  I drained off the excess bleach because I didn't want the paper towels to be sopping wet.  Then I had a blot towel handy; incase I needed it to blot the bleached stamp before stamping on paper.  


I inked up two or three tags, making fairly dark backgrounds so that the bleached image would show better.  Then I attached a butterfly to an acrylic block and used the wet bleach paper towels like you would use an ink pad.  I found that, at least for me, I did better if I blotted the butterflies on the bleached paper towels and then gave the stamp a slight dab on a dry towel before stamping (to get rid of excess bleach).  Then I heat set the bleach so that it would not wick too much into the tag.  

  
Here is the background for my finished project.  I really like the stamping with bleach technique.  Once I sort of got the hang of it, it was easy and I really like the contrast and almost watercolor effect that the bleach does when it interacts with the water reactive Distress Inks.

Now it was time to finish my pocket tag! 


I stamped the vintage little winged girl stamp with a Pitch Paint Dabber.  
** Be sure to immediately clean your stamp afterwards when stamping with paint!

Then I created some luminous wings for my little girl using the technique I did to make the dragonfly wings on my Tape It Up box in September.  It's done with at least three layers of Fantasy Film, stamping with Permanent Ink on the top layer and then applying heat via an iron for at least 3 or 4 seconds.  Be sure to use parchment paper between the Fantasy Film and the iron or you will have a mess!


I colorized the little girl with watercolor pencils and then blended them using a Small Sakura Water Brush.  I cut her out and added the luminous wings rather than the paint stamped ones.  She is pop dotted onto the pocket for more dimension.

Next I used Coffee Archival Ink to stamp the rest of the images from Artistic Outpost's Melange for the tag.  

The piece on the bottom of my tag actually looks like a house on the Artistic Outpost Melange stamp.  I cut off the top and made it look more like an envelope flap.  

 

Then I colorized the pennants, the ruler and the little butterfly at the top of the tag with Broken China and Wild Honey Distress Inks and the Sakura Water Brush.  The pocket is attached to the tag using 1/8" Scor Tape on the sides and bottom.  


The "FLY" bunting at the top of the tag is stamped onto manila cardstock using Coffee Archival Ink.  I added a string of twine and pop dotted the pennants on top of it.

Finally, I added a touch of Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls Powder to the background, the butterfly, the bunting and the little girl's dress.  The little extra shimmer adds so much!

Now it's YOUR turn to create something that at least has one thing that is stamped with something besides ink.  Then enter it into our challenge.  You could be the lucky random winner of Simon Says Stamp's


Yes....$50.00 credit voucher.  You could also be honored by being selected as one of our TOP THREE entries for the week!  So, get those creative thinking caps on and get busy!

Here are the products available at Simon Says Stamp that were used in the creation of this project:

 


28 comments:

  1. Monday morning, a cup of coffee and Candy's blog.
    That is a good way to start into the new week.
    I like your tag very much.The little girl is so cute and the effect of the bleach is stunning.
    I also love the colours .

    Anke x

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  2. This is wonderful, Candy! You have really embraced the challenge! I love the bleach effect, the wings, and the way you have used the stamp set - I got that stamp set recently but haven't used it as imaginatively as you. Love everything about this,

    Lucy x

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  3. I am in love with this! Haven't done bleach stamping in a long time and must get back to it again! Question please: How did you get such a crisp image stamping with paint? What's your secret? Great tag Candy!

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  4. Wow, amazing tag, I love the pocket for a little added note or ATC. The bleach effect is really cool.

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  5. I have been so interested to see what the DT came up with for this challenge and your stamping with bleach is such a great idea! I love the ghost-like images of the butterflies against the darker background, they look amazing. The wings on the little girl look quite stunning and that Artistic Outpost stamp is now on my wish list. As ever Candy, you have taken the challenge to an extremely high level. Love it! Crafty hugs, Anne x

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  6. VERY cool! And I have that envelope stamp! Brilliant idea! TFS!

    ~Linda

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  7. Hi Candy, I love stamping with bleach, something I have not done in a while and you have rekindled my interest. Your bleached stamped background using the butterfly is gorgeous as is your blend of colours. Your use of the AO stamps is stunning and the little girl coloured beautifully, I love her wings and little doll, she is perfect for your pretty background. Another beautiful piece Candy. Tracy x x

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  8. Die Hintergrundfarben sind sehr schön und die mit Bleichmittel gestempelten Schmetterlinge wirken darauf so leicht. Die Gestaltung mit dem bezaubernden Mädchen, dem Umschlag und den Wimpeln gefällt mir gefällt mir sehr gut, Candy.
    Liebe Grüße.

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  9. Looks great Candy. For never tryhing this, you sure nailed it. Very detailed for using bleach! Awesome tag.

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  10. Smashing tag Candy and congratulations on meeting the challenge, x

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  11. Never tried stamping with bleach ..looks fab against the yummy background...must try this sometime soon! Trace x

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  12. Stunning tag, Candy! What a brilliant idea to stamp with bleach! I never thought if that! That background looks amazing, just as the lovely little girl! Hugs, Sandra

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  13. so gorgeous! As always :)

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  14. Woooooow! what a great card. I thought...stamping without ink... but it's possible, you shown us!
    Have a nice day, Henny

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  15. Beautiful tag! Love how you folded over the house to create the flap. That never occurred to me! Beautiful girl image and your bleached stamping turned out perfectly!

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  16. I LOVE the smell of bleach...is that sick or what??? So Art and Bleach...WOW...perfect!!! The fact that is did that to your butterflies is amazing! I never would have ever thought! You are genius!!! I love this!!! Love the AO images as well, and the pocket! Everything here is wonderful Candy!!!
    And...tried to delete you to add you back on, but can't figure out how, so I'm still not getting your feed. Any suggestions?

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  17. Wonderful Candy, I love the bleaching technique, I've not tried it like this before, but I'm going to have a go for sure now. The pocket idea is genius, I love that. I'm your newest follower, I can't quite believe I have found you until now, love your blog. Michelle x

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  18. Candy, this tag is so sweet. Love the colours you used and the great mix of stamps. The bleach stamping turned out great! I tried that long ago, but only on cardstock, and now I want to do it again soon.

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  19. Cool piece, Candy! And stamping with BLEACH?! How clever! Will definitely have to try that sometime :)

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  20. Another awesome project! This is so pretty and what an interesting technique. I was stumped with this challenge. I thought of using paint, is that suitable? Love this.
    Hugs, Dangina

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  21. Oh Candy this is so GORGEOUS!!! I am so inspired now to try that bleach technique!!! Your tag is so full of cool techniques :) I am so loving your colour combo too!!

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  22. This is awesome! I am so inspired by your mixed media techniques.

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  23. This is a gorgeous tag with lots of technique! Thank you for stopping by to comment on my blog!

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  24. Ein ganz bezauberndes Tag.
    Und noch viel mehr schöne Dinge auf deinem Blog.
    Ab sofort bin ich ein neuer Fan von dir.

    Liebe Grüße

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  25. Hi Candy, Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog. I clicked on your blog and recognised your work. I adored it when I saw it on the challenge...I would love to be able to create something like that! I do find the Simon says challenges very inspiring and your kind words made me very happy. I am very far off the standard on that blog as I am just starting out learning about stamps and ink, but I am keen to learn and entering these challenges certainly adds a lovely fun element on that journey x

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  26. Candy, this is just beautiful. I love the colors, it gives me a sense of peace.

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  27. Gorgeous, Candy - I love those AO stamps, and the bleached stamping looks amazing. (Despite your great tutorial, I'm not sure I'm tempted to try it - the smell of bleach is too much!) The colours here are gorgeous, and I love those glimmering wings!
    Alison x

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I am so happy that you stopped by my blog! I truly appreciate your time and thank you for leaving a comment! Have a wonderfully blessed day!