Techniques

Traditional Chalking

1. Apply pastel color to your card stock or paper with a sponge-tip applicator, cotton swab, sponge dauber, stiff paintbrush, or blender pen.
2. Blend the colors as desired with the applicators or a blender pen.
3. Use a matte fixative to seal chalks, if desired.

Tips:

• To avoid smearing, gently dab the chalk rather than rubbing it across the image.
• Don't worry if your Stampin' Pastels break. That is normal and doesn't affect use.
• Need an idea for your old chalks? Crush up your old chalks with the end of your stylus tool until you have made a nice powder. Add one teaspoon of Lumiere® and mix till smooth. Add Pearl Ex to this mix for shimmer. For example, take red pastel chalk, add one teaspoon of Lumiere, and then add a pinch of Interference Red Pearl Ex. Experiment with different color combinations to create new looks!

Chalk-Poppin Pastels

1. Stamp the image with a White or Vanilla Craft Stampin' Pad. You may also use a VersaMark ink pad.
2. Use sponge daubers or stamping sponges to apply the pastel color directly to the ink.
3. Blow off any excess pastel powder. (Repeat process if using this technique with a Two-Step Stampin' set).

Tips:

• If you're worried about smearing, try setting the chalks with an inexpensive aerosol hairspray. Spray hairspray at least 12" from project to keep the area from getting too damp. Please note that setting the chalks with hairspray is not recommended for scrapbook pages, as the pH contents of hair spray are unknown and may be unsafe for your photos.
• White or Vanilla Craft pad.

Dry Embossing

1. Secure the Classy Brass template to a light source (a light table or window) with a small piece of tape.
2. Rub waxed paper on the surface of the card stock so the stylus will glide more smoothly and to help prevent tears in the paper.
3. Place the paper or card stock face down over the template, positioning it so that you'll have the image where you want it.
4. Using the large end of the stylus tool, press the paper through the open areas of the template. This will produce a raised image. Use the small end of the stylus to emboss small areas if needed.

Tips:

• When dry embossing a large open area, press only around the edges of the template, not the entire open area.
• If a colored raised image is desired, replace the brass template on the right side of the card. It will act as a mask to protect the unraised surfaces. Apply color with a small sponge or sponge daubers using our ink pads or Stampin' Pastels.
• If you're having a hard time seeing the template through some of our darker colors of card stock, try dry embossing on our background papers instead.
• Classy Brass templates aren't the only product we carry that works great with dry embossing. Try any of our shape or journaling stencils, the Plaidmaker, even The Tearing Edge!

Emboss Resist

1. Stamp the image with a clear embossing or VersaMark ink pad.
2. Heat emboss the image using Stampin' Emboss® clear embossing powder. Allow image to cool.
3. Apply ink with a sponge directly to the paper over and around the embossed image.
4. Wipe the embossed image with a tissue to remove the excess ink.

Heat Emboss

1. Place your card stock in a Powder Pal tray (or over a large piece of scratch paper).
2. Rub the Embossing Buddy across the paper or card stock you want to emboss. (This keeps embossing powder from sticking anywhere but on the ink.)
3. Stamp image with Craft, VersaMark®, or embossing ink.
4. Pour powder onto the inked image, making sure that the image is coated completely.
5. Shake off excess powder into the tray and funnel it back into its container.
6. Heat the stamped image with the heat tool until the powder changes to a shiny liquid and raises.
7. Allow embossed image to cool.

Tips:

• Don't overheat the powder, as it can scorch the paper.
• Try embossing using Classic pads on vellum paper. Dye inks take longer to dry on vellum so embossing powders will adhere to the ink and can be embossed.
• To add a brighter touch to computer-printed text, sprinkle embossing powder on the card stock as it is coming out of the printer. Be fast! This is quick-drying ink!

Masking

1. Stamp image on card stock.
2. Stamp it again on a piece of scratch paper.
3. Cut carefully around the scratch paper image, cutting just inside the lines. This will be your mask.
4. Place the mask on top of the card stock image. Stamp another image over the mask.
5. Remove the mask to see your layered, interacting images.

Tips:

• Try stamping on a Post-It® note and using the cut out image as your mask. The sticky note stays put on the card stock when stamping over the mask without additional adhesive.
• Store the mask with the appropriate stamp set so it can be used again when needed.

Multiple Colors with Markers

1. Use a marker to apply color to the stamp. Ink only the part of the stamp you need.
2. Add other colors if desired.
3. "Breathe" onto the inked image to remoisten the ink before stamping onto paper.

Tip:

• For a more muted, watercolor look, spray a fine mist of water on the stamp instead of breathing on it.

Omitting with Markers

1. To omit a certain part of a stamp image, use a marker to apply ink only to the desired parts of the image.
2. "Breathe" on the inked image to remoisten the ink before stamping onto paper.

Tip:

• Use a Stamp-a-ma-jig stamp positioner if you want to perfectly align the overlay image.

Repetition Stamping

1. Ink a stamp.
2. Stamp the image.
3. Restamp the image one or more times without re-inking it.

Tips:

• This technique is a great way to get several shades of color from a single ink pad.
• This technique is also a great way to show motion, such as a ball moving through the air.

Rock & Roll

1. Tap stamp on light-colored ink pad.
2. Press edges of stamp in a rolling motion on darker ink pad, being careful not to ink the center of the stamp.

Tips:

• Always use the lightest colored ink first to avoid getting dark ink on your light ink pad.
• This technique works best when using a bold stamp image.

Spotlighting with Punches

1. Stamp desired image on two pieces of card stock. Set one aside to serve as background for spotlighted image.
2. On the first piece of card stock, watercolor the area you wish to highlight.
3. Line up punch (1-3/8" Square punch used in example) with watercolored spotlight area.
4. Remove punched piece.
5. Line up punched, spotlighted piece with the previously stamped image on second piece of card stock. Mount on coordinating card stock for completed project.

Reverse Spotlighting

1. Stamp images in Basic Black ink.
2. Punch random holes in stamped images (1-3/8" and 1/2" Circle punches used in example).
3. Stamp and cut out the same image on pieces of colored card stock.
4. Line up and mount images behind punched holes.
5. Trim overlaying images with scissors or paper cutter.
6. Mount images into place for completed project.

Two Step Stamping

1. Stamp the base image.
2. Position and stamp the overlay or adjoining image.

Tips:

• Use lighter ink for the base image and darker ink for the overlying image.
• Two-Step Stampin' doesn't have to use two different ink colors. Try the repetitive stamping technique for multiple lighter shades from one ink pad.
• Mount your Two-Step stamps close to the edge of the wood. When you stamp, you will be able to see the leading edge of the rubber for better alignment.

Crystal Effects

1. For an all-over gloss, use a paintbrush to apply a thin, even coat of Crystal Effects to the entire image. Let dry (about 3-5 minutes).
2. For a thicker layer, use the applicator tip to apply Crystal Effects to select elements of your design such as leaves and flower petals. For spot gloss, apply a thick layer of Crystal Effects directly to the stamped image with the applicator tip. Let dry completely (about 30-60 minutes) before handling.

Tips:

• You can also use our Stampin' Glitters® with Crystal Effects. While the Crystal Effects is still wet, sprinkle glitter on the top. When it dries, you have a totally cool effect. You can also combine these products on a plastic window sheet. Just stamp in a permanent ink and let it dry completely. Put Crystal Effects where you want the first color. Pour glitter over the top and dust off any extra. Let it dry and then add additional colors until the project is finished.
• Do not shake Crystal Effects as it causes bubbles, which show up in your work.
• Recap after use to prevent the tip from drying and clogging.

Definitely Decorative

1. Plan and stamp your design on paper first.
2. Use well-inked Craft Stampin' Pads® when stamping on smooth fabric or wood. Acrylic paint is the best choice when stamping on walls.
3. Stamp the image firmly, then directly lift up the stamp (don't pull away at an angle).
4. Allow ink to dry.

Tips:

• Keep a damp rag handy to quickly wipe off any errors or stray ink.
• Gather all paints and tools ahead of time:
  • Yardstick or t-square
  • Pencil and eraser
  • Painter's tape
  • Coated paper plates
  • Acrylic paints in desired colors
  • 1" foam brushes (get a lot so you can throw them away when the paint starts to dry and makes a crust on the brush)
  • Bucket of water
  • Wet rags and/or sponges
  • Paper towels
  • Old toothbrush (optional to help get paint out of detail areas in stamp)
• Always measure. Use a soft-lead pencil to lightly draw lines. Use a yardstick or t-square to keep your lines straight. Use a good eraser to erase lines after paint has dried.
• When using acrylic paints, squeeze only a small amount of paint before applying paint to the stamp. Brush paint on the stamp in a smooth layer. Don't use too much paint or the stamp gets goopy. It may take a little practice. (Stamp on a piece of paper first to make sure you have the correct amount of paint.)
• Reapply paint to stamp, then press stamp firmly, pushing on center and corners with one hand while holding the stamp down with the other hand. This will help you get a more solid image.
• Pull the stamp straight back from the wall. There is often a little suction, but pulling straight back keeps it from smearing.
• Clean the stamp every fourth or fifth time you stamp. Wipe it off with a wet rag or sponge.
• If you make a mistake on the wall, wipe it off immediately with a wet rag.
• Wait to add additional colors and images to your walls until the stamped image on your wall has dried.
• Don't let the paint dry on the stamp. Remember, acrylic paint dries quickly. If you let it sit out for even two minutes, it will be very difficult to clean. If you are leaving your project for a break, clean your stamps off first.
• Always work lighter to darker with Two-Step Stampin' images. Stamp your base images in a lighter color, allow them to dry, and then stamp the second set of images in a slightly darker shade.
• Use drop cloths or newspaper to protect your home from paint splatters.
• Try using several colors of paint on a stamp to create variance and shading.
• Pour small amounts of acrylic paint onto a paper plate to create a color palette for stamping.