Acrylic Block Stamping and Oopsie Daisy

I found this link a while ago, before Oopsie Daisy was released. While the post really isn't about the technique shared below, I liked the overall look of the soft inked "frame" and floral image together. Since I didn't really know quite what the Oopsie Daisy art would look like at the time, I bookmarked the post anyway, thinking it might be something to try.

I don't have a rectangular stamp like the blog author does, so I thought I'd try getting a similar "look" with my 3x4" acrylic stamp block. I was pretty pleased with the results.

The key to using the acrylic block (in lieu of a rubber stamp) is good cushioning underneath. My CS desk blotter is nice and thick so that worked for me, but if you don't have one you could try stamping on top of an old catalog or magazine--or even a mouse pad.

Start with a clean acrylic block. I assure you my block doesn't normally look like this . . . it's usually an inky mess . . . but some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball took care of that, easy peasy.

Ink the edges of the acrylic block (make sure to ink the smooth side, if your block has a grid like mine). Starting from the outside, sweep ink toward the center. For added dimension, start with a light color and add a darker color around the outer-most edges, if desired.

Press the acrylic block onto paper. You will get different looks depending on the texture or finish of the paper. Experiment, have fun with it.

Since I love the look of watercolors paired with the Oopsie Daisy images, I tried the same technique with Gelatos.

Start by lightly misting the acrylic block with water, then add color. Use a light color first with a darker shade around the outer edges, if desired.

Press onto paper. If you're lucky, you might get a second impression.

Be sure to thoroughly clean your acrylic block after each use.

One advantage to using the same block to add rubber stamps is that positioning is a no-brainer!

Topaz CS Hybrid ink "frame"

Topaz CS Hybrid ink "frame"

Gray Gelatos "frame"

Yellow Gelatos edged with orange

Who knew you could use your acrylic block AS a stamp? Well, now ya know!

Creatively yours,

Karen

Watercolor Stencil Technique

The large masking stencil included in the Club Scrap Oopsie Daisy kit can help bring out your inner artist. Just follow these simple steps to make a fun, custom paper for a layout or card . . .

1. Place the masking stencil onto a protected work surface and mist with water. (Make sure etched label side is facing down.)

2. Color the moist surface of the stencil with Faber-Castell Gelatos.

3. Press a plain sheet of paper onto the colored stencil. Re-mist and color the stencil as needed and repeat. Heat set the layout or allow the paper to dry completely before going to the next step. (If you're saying to yourself, "That's horrid," please withhold your final judgement until completing the project!)

4. Cover the watercolored area with the stencil and sponge Earth ink around the edges with an ink applicator.

5. Repeat for each daisy. This step defines the edges and adds a drop shadow.

6. Use a fine tip black pen to outline each daisy leaf with a double line. For best results, work quickly and casually with long pen strokes.

7. Add small circles to fill in the center of each flower.

8. Stamp the splatter image from the Borders & Backgrounds UM sheet onto the paper with Earth and Topaz inks. The image is a new favorite because it creates an authentically random look without the mess.

9. Trim the artwork to 11x11". Scoot the paper past the edge of your work surface and rub Earth ink around the perimeter to frame the piece.

10. Select papers to matte the art panel. I went a little nutty here with three mattes, but I couldn't resist.

11. Stamp the "daisy" definition from the Collection UM with Earth ink.

12. Finish the layout with a matted photo and embellishments from the collection.

Give it a try. It will be fun!

Tricia

Masked Daisy Embellishment

My daughter Alicia turned 17 last month. Time flies the older our kids get, and I wanted to freeze this moment in time with a layout of my bee-autiful girl.

Jac's gorgeous artwork on this 8.5x11 Daisy Print in the Oopsie Daisy kit was the inspiration behind my layout.

1. Trace the large daisy using the masking stencil.

Add more details to the flower using a pencil.

2. Use a craft knife to trim out the small sections between the petals.

3. Cut out the daisy with scissors and add color with Gelatos and your white wax pencil picker upper. 

Did you know the wax pencil picker upper tool can double as a crayon? 

4. Spray the Gelatos with a bit of water to activate the color.

5. Fold the petals along the pencil lines to add dimension. Color the petals of the daisy using Topaz ink.

6. Use a fine tip black pen to add detail lines and dots to the center of the daisy.

 7. Punch 4 small daisies and add details using instructions above.

Add details in the center of only one daisy cluster.  

Stack daisies together and adhere.

8. Create the layout using Oopsie Daisy plain papers and based on Tiare Smith's Sketch from her January Pajama Party.

9. Create a title using the fabric Thickers included in this month's kit. Adhere to an acrylic block and add color with Topaz ink. This made inking a breeze!

10. Stamp the honey bee and "Beeeeeee happy!" sentiment from the Border and Backgrounds UM sheet with Black ink. Add detail to the wings with a white gel pen, and paint gold Gelatos onto the bee with a waterbrush.

11. Attach the striped grosgrain ribbon to the layout, and it is complete!

What other interesting ways have you used your Masking Stencils?

Here's to a wonderful week!

Julie

Part 2: Full Color 3D Stamping

In Part 1: Black & White 3D Stamping, I shared how this piece of artwork inspired me to create a similar image using only my unmounted rubber stamps and some black Gelatos. Want to see how these stamped images can be turned into full color works of art with amazing dimension?

Here's how! Follow steps 1-6 previously discussed in Part 1.

Let's review.

1. Choose simple stamp images.
2. Stamp foreground image, Papillon butterfly in CS® Hybrid Ocean Ink.

3. Stamp on Post-it note to create mask.

4. Fussy cut image from Post-it note.
5. Mask the corresponding image and stamp. 

* Note- Use second generation stamping to create lighter stamped images.

6. Create additional masks and continue stamping.

*note- Use only the top portion of the Hydrangeas Art Nouveau leaves image.  

Stamp leaves randomly around the entire masked Hydrangea/butterfly cluster.

Finished stamped image.

7. Use Gelatos and a water brush to color in your images and add a shadow to create the illusion of depth. I created a video tutorial on adding a shadow to your stamped images. If you are having trouble viewing the video, click HERE.



Apply more color toward the outside of the image and lesser amounts toward the center. For example, when painting the leaves, use a darker shade of green toward the outside of the image and then leave a white highlight in the center by adding very little color or no color at all to the center of the leaf.

Continue to add metallic purple and blue Gelatos with a water brush, where the butterfly and Hydrangeas stamped blossoms overlap. Add black Gelato to these areas for even more dramatic shadowing.

Every month our members are treated to a free sketch with detailed assembly line instructions. This recipe can be used to create layouts with any papers from your stash. My layout came together nicely using cardstocks from Written Word, Bridges, Trees and a Pattern Basics Bright text print.

Hope you enjoyed Part 2 of this tutorial and will give it a try for yourself.

Julie











Additional supplies used:
Blossom purple translucent paper
Sizzix Die - scroll stems and flowers
Hydrangeas purple pearls (included in Embellishment pack)
Hydrangeas Border and Backgrounds UM Rubber Stamps
CS® Amethyst and Moss Hybrid Inks