If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
How about we share our favorite stamping/recycling techniques?
Hi everyone,
I'm so glad to see some discussion up here. Thanks for the bubble-wrap idea Cecilia! I was thinking that a great way to help inspire us would be to share our favorite tips and techniques. How about a discussion on our favorite techniques/materials that involve recycling? Recently I started saving the clear hard plastic packaging that usually comes with electronics, or food items. For example, I cut out the flat parts of a box that housed roses, a container for salad greens (which I think would also make great storage for craft items or even clothes- provided it was thoroughly cleaned), and even the top to a sushi tray. I cut out the flat pieces with my not-so-great scissors (but I suppose a craft knife would work just as well). I started experimenting with these plastic pieces- which can be used like acetate. I used Decor-it permanent black ink to stamp a tree onto them and then used metallic gel markers to color in the interior of the image on the reverse (as one would do with vellum). It came out quite nice. I plan on using these in my cards by cutting a hole in the front of the card large enough to see the image. I figure I could create a background with a sky and hills of grass on the inside. I also tried using my heat gun to emboss an image onto the plastic, but found that the particular plastic I was working with started to shrink like shrink plastic before my eyes. I suppose that could also work, but I need to play around with that first. Oh and here is another of my favorite tips that I read somewhere and used in a few paper craft projects- using old makeup as a chalking medium. I took it a step further and used liquid and cake foundation that either was ready for the trash bin or was the wrong color for me. I took a stenciling brush (or a cosmetic sponge works well) and used it with a brass stencil for a great background. It dried quickly to a chalky look. I've even used old lipstick. I didn't want the oils in the makeup to smear to the touch- so my favorite way of dealing with that is to buy the cheapest aerosol hairspray (with no CFCs) you can find and spray the card/project. Now I don't know what the acidity level is with makeup or hairspray and whether it is suitable for use with photographs or in scrapbooks, but for cards, it just worked great. The hairspray sealed in the makeup and gave the card a semi gloss finish. I have still to experiment to find out other ways to use these items. I even bought those cheap dollar store eyeshadows that come in multiple colors (which was a great suggestion I read on the internet) and with the hairspray it works well in my stamping, dry embossing and stenciling projects. There was an awesome segment on Carol Duvall with Michael Strong, where he used recycled objects such as the inside shiny part of an empty, cleaned potato chip bag for one stamping project (as a mirror), mesh screening with embossing powder for another (background for an embellishment), and even crushed egg shell with embossing powder. The effects were really grand, considering that these were items readily available around the home. Definitely trash to treasure! Anyone else have any recycling ideas/tips? Happy Stamping, Doreen |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
You have some really neat ideas in there Doreen!! Lately I have been making
Christmas cards for a swap using the tab from my soda can as a buckle on my ribbon embellishment...I embossed the tab with 5 layers of clear polysparkle powder. May be old news to some, but I just recently saw an example and just had to try it! Arleen "Jolly Green Stamper" wrote in message ... Hi everyone, I'm so glad to see some discussion up here. Thanks for the bubble-wrap idea Cecilia! I was thinking that a great way to help inspire us would be to share our favorite tips and techniques. How about a discussion on our favorite techniques/materials that involve recycling? Recently I started saving the clear hard plastic packaging that usually comes with electronics, or food items. For example, I cut out the flat parts of a box that housed roses, a container for salad greens (which I think would also make great storage for craft items or even clothes- provided it was thoroughly cleaned), and even the top to a sushi tray. I cut out the flat pieces with my not-so-great scissors (but I suppose a craft knife would work just as well). I started experimenting with these plastic pieces- which can be used like acetate. I used Decor-it permanent black ink to stamp a tree onto them and then used metallic gel markers to color in the interior of the image on the reverse (as one would do with vellum). It came out quite nice. I plan on using these in my cards by cutting a hole in the front of the card large enough to see the image. I figure I could create a background with a sky and hills of grass on the inside. I also tried using my heat gun to emboss an image onto the plastic, but found that the particular plastic I was working with started to shrink like shrink plastic before my eyes. I suppose that could also work, but I need to play around with that first. Oh and here is another of my favorite tips that I read somewhere and used in a few paper craft projects- using old makeup as a chalking medium. I took it a step further and used liquid and cake foundation that either was ready for the trash bin or was the wrong color for me. I took a stenciling brush (or a cosmetic sponge works well) and used it with a brass stencil for a great background. It dried quickly to a chalky look. I've even used old lipstick. I didn't want the oils in the makeup to smear to the touch- so my favorite way of dealing with that is to buy the cheapest aerosol hairspray (with no CFCs) you can find and spray the card/project. Now I don't know what the acidity level is with makeup or hairspray and whether it is suitable for use with photographs or in scrapbooks, but for cards, it just worked great. The hairspray sealed in the makeup and gave the card a semi gloss finish. I have still to experiment to find out other ways to use these items. I even bought those cheap dollar store eyeshadows that come in multiple colors (which was a great suggestion I read on the internet) and with the hairspray it works well in my stamping, dry embossing and stenciling projects. There was an awesome segment on Carol Duvall with Michael Strong, where he used recycled objects such as the inside shiny part of an empty, cleaned potato chip bag for one stamping project (as a mirror), mesh screening with embossing powder for another (background for an embellishment), and even crushed egg shell with embossing powder. The effects were really grand, considering that these were items readily available around the home. Definitely trash to treasure! Anyone else have any recycling ideas/tips? Happy Stamping, Doreen |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Hello everyone.
I've just found this group and I'm hoping to pick up some tips from you all. I'm copying everything you write so I can go back and look at your ideas of what to do, or what not to do. Being a 63yr old grandmother I need all the help I can get. One of my granddaughters who is 8yrs old loves to make things so I thought, if I can learn this technique I can show her or maybe we could learn together. I'm going to a craft show in a couple of weeks and have put myself down for a stamp workshop. Pity it's only for an hour but never mind I'm sure to learn something. Keep those tips coming!! Margaret from England |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
I probably saw the same idea you did. But holding that darned can tab while
embossing was a bear, so instead painted it with gold paint and put a shiny finish on it with glossy clear paint. Much easier on the fingers. Also have used the aluminum circle you rip off the cans of nuts, etc. that seals inside the can. You can emboss on it with a stencil and use on cards. Glue 2 together if you want it thicker. Mike Strong teaches at our local stamp store in San Diego and is a terrific guy. Loads of fun and great, great ideas! Also pick up big gift bags 2@ .99 at our local 99c store.....they can be cut apart and used for backgrounds. Scout |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
I use the "inbetween" plastic to make shaker and window cards. What I mean
by "inbetween" is...not the stretchy Saran Wrap plastic and not un-bending acrylic. It's kinda stiff, but if you fold it, it makes a crease. Does this make sense? I think it's cellophane, but not sure what they really call this. Also, I bought some rubby lacey kinda placemats from Wal*Mart on clearance and have brayered over them to leave the imagine on cardstock. VERY nice AND I can use the actual placemat cut up if I'm wanting more of a layered card. Here is a weird one... Get a panty liner (I know, too strange) and stick it to a disposable plate (I use the "snack" ones that are small). Pour just enough bleach to soak in, but not leave a puddle then use as a stamp pad. I've seen bleach used with a paper towel, but this way leaves the image more clear. Try using a word stamp with both methods and you will see the difference. Have y'all tried the toilet paper casting? Lay a stamp rubber side up and put a single sheet of toilet paper on it (1 or 2 ply is fine) then spray with water. It usually shapes to the image, but if not, kinda pat it in the grooves without tearing. Put another piece on top and do this again. Do about 4 pieces (depending on thickness of your toilet paper) then let dry. Trim it however you want just so it doesn't look like a sheet of toilet paper! Then stick it to a card. It is VERY hard and will not crush in the mail, but you may have to pay the extra charge for a thick envelope. Put rubber bands randomly on your brayer, ink then make some very interesting background paper. That's all I can think of right now. Cecelia |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
sdklug wrote:
I probably saw the same idea you did. But holding that darned can tab while embossing was a bear, so instead painted it with gold paint and put a shiny finish on it with glossy clear paint. Much easier on the fingers. Get yourself some needlenose pliers, or one of those alligator clips-on-a-stick that jewelers use as a "third hand." Really useful for embossing small stuff without burning your fingers. I get a lot of my "craft" supplies at hardware stores. Fishing tackle boxes are cheaper than craft organizers, they carry a lot of the same adhesives under different brand names, all kinds of fasteners, etc. etc. Office supply stores, meanwhile, are a great source of inexpensive tags, tiny envelopes (sold as coin envelopes), etc. Much cheaper than the craft stores, too. Other recyclable craft ideas: Save interesting looking scraps of gift wrap, old calendars, etc. to cut up for collage and background papers. If you lose an earring, dismantle the other one into parts that can be used as embellishments. The net bags that onions, lemons and potatoes come in make nifty backgrounds - lay them down on your paper, brayer color over the top, lift them off - and then lay the inked netting down on another blank sheet for a reverse-image pattern. Just for starters ... -- Pat Kight |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Pat, did that with the needlenose pliers, but was hard to keep a good grip.
Couldn't do without those needlenose pliers, though. They are so handy. Saw an idea on line that I have to try..... Get some of those little gold swivels they use on fishing rods and use them to attach things to the cards. Also for beads, go to the thrift stores. You can get long rope necklaces for about a buck that have really great beads and also lots of fun earrings and funky carved jewelry that make for cheap decorations. Of course, your dh will look with horror and say "You're not going to wear that, are you?" |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
OOOOO
I can't wait to try the TP thing. Does the quality of the TP make a difference? I know that Charmin vs. see through store brand makes a difference personally, but is there a better or worse quality for this casting method? What about coloring? -- Peace, Judy Mitchell -------------------- Peace is not the absence of conflict, rather it is the presence of God no matter the conflict. "Cecelia Medbery" wrote in message news:m1c9d.816$lp6.481@okepread01... I use the "inbetween" plastic to make shaker and window cards. What I mean by "inbetween" is...not the stretchy Saran Wrap plastic and not un-bending acrylic. It's kinda stiff, but if you fold it, it makes a crease. Does this make sense? I think it's cellophane, but not sure what they really call this. Also, I bought some rubby lacey kinda placemats from Wal*Mart on clearance and have brayered over them to leave the imagine on cardstock. VERY nice AND I can use the actual placemat cut up if I'm wanting more of a layered card. Here is a weird one... Get a panty liner (I know, too strange) and stick it to a disposable plate (I use the "snack" ones that are small). Pour just enough bleach to soak in, but not leave a puddle then use as a stamp pad. I've seen bleach used with a paper towel, but this way leaves the image more clear. Try using a word stamp with both methods and you will see the difference. Have y'all tried the toilet paper casting? Lay a stamp rubber side up and put a single sheet of toilet paper on it (1 or 2 ply is fine) then spray with water. It usually shapes to the image, but if not, kinda pat it in the grooves without tearing. Put another piece on top and do this again. Do about 4 pieces (depending on thickness of your toilet paper) then let dry. Trim it however you want just so it doesn't look like a sheet of toilet paper! Then stick it to a card. It is VERY hard and will not crush in the mail, but you may have to pay the extra charge for a thick envelope. Put rubber bands randomly on your brayer, ink then make some very interesting background paper. That's all I can think of right now. Cecelia |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
They told us the cheapest kind of tp. The kind in 99 cents stores.
|
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Favorite Tip 1:The fishing swivels are great - they come in brass in
lots of sizes and they save you the trouble of trying to get the jump rings back together and hanging in the right direction. Got some at Ocean State Job lot and a variety at Walmart. Tip 2: Best hardware store (or Walmart) item I have is aluminum duct tape. Cover picture frames, slide holders, matchboxes - leave as is or stamp with stazon or color the whole item with alcohol ink (Tim Holtz). Can place punchouts underneath before you add the tape for more texture. The glue is very sticky on your scissors, so have some goo gone handy. Tip 3: Make your own stamps - carve a Stadtler eraser in a simple shape or word (I needed a BOO!),cut up some Home Depot red rubber (for furnace gaskets) for your own shadow stamps, etch a design in the foam plates your meat comes in - nice for southwest type designs, glue cord on a piece of heavy cardboard or use your glue gun to randomly swirl glue on a heavy cardboard - great background stamps! Tip 4: Stamp on paper from grocery bags - fabulous Kraft paper which takes color from both stamps and markers beautifully. Makes some really nice cards. Tip 5: Get some leaves from the yard and stamp (use vein side) with ink or acyric paint. Janet sdklug wrote: Pat, did that with the needlenose pliers, but was hard to keep a good grip. Couldn't do without those needlenose pliers, though. They are so handy. Saw an idea on line that I have to try..... Get some of those little gold swivels they use on fishing rods and use them to attach things to the cards. Also for beads, go to the thrift stores. You can get long rope necklaces for about a buck that have really great beads and also lots of fun earrings and funky carved jewelry that make for cheap decorations. Of course, your dh will look with horror and say "You're not going to wear that, are you?" |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Your favorite bead websites, please | Dr. Sooz | Beads | 5 | August 26th 04 09:50 AM |
What is your favorite bead site? | roxan | Beads | 2 | November 1st 03 02:12 AM |
favorite gemstone beads? | Beadseeker | Beads | 31 | August 20th 03 01:52 AM |