Making Cards - Ideas for a card craft beginner (Part 3)

THE-WIFE_3

flourgirl wrote: »

Rusty I did the same as you and put embelishment boxes infront and behind to try and keep the mat level. DH said they ought to have paper carriers like printers do. Think I need to join UKScrappers

Do you think we should have a die cutting thread lol

Yes please 'Cos then I just might switch the darn thing on and use it, I've not even loaded the software yet. I am hoping in the spring that a lady who's on UKS will pop down and give me a lesson

jazabelle

TomsMom wrote: »

Sorry Jazabelle, I don't know anything about Stampin Up but it sounds like fun!

What's the problem with your stamping and what ink are you using?

Well, I have two inks - one is a black one called Vibrance and the other is Ink it Up in copper.

The ink it up one has a nice affect actually, like an antiqued oldy world thing. But I only got one to look nice, the rest are blotchy.

Then I read the copper one is a pigment one and needs embossing, and I have no idea how to do that!

The black one comes out all blotchy. I've tried with stamps I've put on a block, as well as just normal wooden handled ones. It is a pigment ink.

I think the black one might just be cheap? I might invest in a nice black one and hope that makes the difference!

I'm also not very good at stamping the image down. I have problems with my wrists and muscles and get a bit shaky!

jazabelle

flourgirl wrote: »

Not been to a stampin up party myself but my friend went to one and she had a fantastic time.

Ooh, yay! I am excited, just worried I'm going to spend my entire bank account.

flourgirl

jazabelle wrote: »

Ooh, yay! I am excited, just worried I'm going to spend my entire bank account.

Yep!! You will never have any money now you have joined this thread lol someone is always letting the spendy elves out to play shopping!!:rotfl:

jazabelle

I only started this hobby just after Christmas, and have already spent more than I care to work out! I was all set on saving up, but nooo, I had to get myself an expensive hobby instead!!

THE-WIFE_3

jazabelle wrote: »

I only started this hobby just after Christmas, and have already spent more than I care to work out! I was all set on saving up, but nooo, I had to get myself an expensive hobby instead!!

Jazabelle, SU ( Stampin' Up) stuff can be pretty expensive but check out the stamps carefully before you buy to see if you would use them all. Some of the best things I've bought have been the two oval punches, scallop and plain and the matching stamps. If you have a small sentiment to do you can always print it in MS Word on card in a matching text colour to your theme and then punch it out with the plain one and use gold or silver for the scallop. Their paper is good for stamping and printing too and the ink pads are good but one or two things about them make me :mad: but thats me.

Enjoy, you'll have a good time.

jazabelle

THE-WIFE wrote: »

Jazabelle, SU ( Stampin' Up) stuff can be pretty expensive but check out the stamps carefully before you buy to see if you would use them all. Some of the best things I've bought have been the two oval punches, scallop and plain and the matching stamps. If you have a small sentiment to do you can always print it in MS Word on card in a matching colour to your theme and then punch it out with the plain one and use gold or silver for the scallop. Their paper is good for stamping and printing too and the ink pads are good but one or two things about them make me :mad: but thats me

Thanks for the tips!

What makes you cross about the ink? I was planning on buying some ink, so am curious!

TomsMom

jazabelle wrote: »

Then I read the copper one is a pigment one and needs embossing, and I have no idea how to do that!

Heat embossing. You need a pigment ink pad, some embossing powder and a heat gun. Stamp your image, shake over the embossing powder then tip it off onto a clean piece of paper so that the excess can go back into it's pot, the stamped image will retain what it needs. Give the card you stamped onto a flick on the back of it to get the last of the excess powder off. Turn the heat gun on and hold about 3" away from your image so that it heats gently rather than too close and scorch your card. Once the embossing powder starts to melt you move your heat gun onto the next section.

Well, I have two inks - one is a black one called Vibrance and the other is Ink it Up in copper.

Not sure about Vibrance as I don't have any of that make. I have an Ink it Up stamp pad and I've never got on with it very well. They are one of the cheaper makes so not sure if that has anything to do with it. I have a couple of Encore pads (pigment I'm sure) and some Hero Arts Dye Ink pads. Brilliance is a pigment ink, so is Versacolor. Versafine is good for stamps with fine detail and that dries quickly and you can water colour.

Pigment inks are slower drying so they are more suitable for embossing. Dye inks dry quickly so you don't emboss with those.

I use Stazon, especially if I am colouring with water colours. Embossed images give you a raised edge so again good if water colouring as the raised edge stops you going over with your colour.

With new stamps, go over the stamp with sticky tape to take off the sort of film that's on it then you'll get a clearer impression. Put your stamp on the desk, rubber side up. Bring ink pad to stamp and tap, tap, tap until inked up evenly. Don't rub the pad over the stamp and don't be heavy handed or squish it into the rubber. Do a test image. If it's stamped OK then re-ink and away you go. It does need some practice so don't give up. If a large stamp then hold it down with one hand and press all over with the other without moving the stamp as this will blur the image.

Once you've stamped your image bring the stamp straight back up without rocking/moving it.

If you can get to watch Create & Craft they sometimes have shows which have rubber stamping in, I saw one on a Saturday afternoon recently but can't remember the guest's name.

There are probably tutorials out there, maybe something on YouTube. I wish I could come and show you, it's so much easier than trying to get it across in words.

melissa75_2

Pointofnoreturn - great cards - I think my favourite is the yellow car one - such a bright, cheery card!

Jailhousebabe - the discount is working for me too now, I haven't ordered yet though, I think I'm going to be good and just get the new prima flowers.

Sunrise - fab cards, love the cheeky squirrel!

Pinkladymel - welcome back! Your photos are great - my favourite is the lemur one!

Jazabelle - I've never been to a stampin up party but would love to go - you'll have a great time - I'm jealous!

jazabelle

TomsMom wrote: »

There are probably tutorials out there, maybe something on YouTube. I wish I could come and show you, it's so much easier than trying to get it across in words.

Wow, thank you! That's so kind of you! I will try again following your instructions. I think I do need a better quality in though.

I have been squishing into the ink though, so I will try tapping!

Thanks again, I do appreciate your help!