With some many products and ideas available to us as scrapbookers, it can be overwhelming at times. I’ve decided to focus in on a few of my favorite “go to” techniques that I can always count on when I am feeling a bit overwhelmed so that the process is a bit more comfortable.
Using Ink
I started stamping even before I started scrapbooking, so I have always found ink to be of great importance in my crafting.
My favorite two inks are Tim Holtz distress inks and StazOn ink.
I love the distress ink because it flows onto the paper very easily. It is also a raised inkpad, which makes it easy to run the edges of my paper up against the ink.
The StazOn Ink is great because it will stay on non-porous surfaces such as transparencies, ghost shapes and any other slick surface.
Here are a few of my favorite things to do with the distress ink.
1. Ink the edges of each cut patterned paper that I use on the page. This gives each piece of paper a little more detail and distinction.
2. Ink chipboard letters. I usually use paint to color my plain chipboard letters, but sometimes ink gives more of the effect that I am looking for. It is not a bold color, but more subtle which is perfect for some layouts.
3. The ink also works well with regular rubber stamps. It gives a great bold, clear image when used just like regular ink.
Here are a few of my favorites with the StazOn ink.
1. Stamp on ghost shapes. I love to add little words or pictures right onto the ghost shapes. The ghost frames work especially well for this.
2. Although I haven’t tried it myself (but I plan on doing it soon!) I have heard that this works well for stamping on shrink plastic before baking it.
3. When I don’t want to use paint, StazOn works well with distressing the edges of plastic embellishments.
Masking
If you haven’t tried using a mask on your layout yet, I highly recommend it. A mask is the opposite of a stencil. Heidi Swapp offers a great variety of mask in alphabets and shapes.
Masks come with a tacky surface on the back so that you can temporarily stick them to your project. You can then ink, stamp or chalk over the top of the mask. You them peel up the mask to reveal the uncolored image. The mask can then be reused on anther project.
Here are a few things I like to do with the masks.
1. Create background images. It is like you are creating your own patterned paper. You get to choose the colors and the position of the design. It’s also fun to mix colors and see what you can come up with.
2. Create titles. These can really make a bold statement and are perfect for creating page titles.
3. Use on photos. This is a fun way to add a word on image to the edge of a photo. Just place the mask, paint and reveal a cool embellishment right on your photo.
I hope that you will chalenge yourself to explore your “go to” techniques are see if you can discouver any new used for some old favorites.
Reltated Articles
Make Your Own Rubber Stamp Ink
My Favorite “Go To” Techniques Part 1