Monday, April 15, 2013

It's in the background

Hi everyone,

Did you have a good weekend? Did you wish that it wasn't Monday already? Well the good news is that Monday starts with a new challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show! And this week you can collect all our background stamps and get them all inked up and ready to go. Because it's all about background stamping!


Recently I was hanging out on YouTube and saw a video about how you could make your own stamps out of foam. And it looked really amazing and so easy. Unfortunately I did't save the link, but made you a small tutorial how I made this tag from start to finish.

These are all the materials that you need for making your own background stamp. A foam sheet, a heat tool and something that you want to have the imprint of. In my case an embossing folder from Tim Holtz.

  
Make the foam sheet hot with the heat tool, but beware that you don't melt it, because then that part is ruined. As soon as it's hot enough, press the object in the foam and put some force on it, so that you get a good imprint. That is actually all you need to do to make your own stamp. Simple right?

 
To create more depth in the project, stamp a main focal image and also make a mask of it. Put it over the stamped image so that part won't get inky.

   
Now is the time to get your own stamp all inked up. Place the tag or card face down on the stamp and put a piece of paper over it. This will prevent your hands from getting inky too. Rub gently over it so all the ink can transfer on the tag/card. And voila, you have an amazing stamped background.

 
Pull the mask off and now it seems like the hot air balloon is in front, as intended.
I generally use household sponges for applying the Distress Ink. Especially for the detailed coloring is very convenient. Here I used 3 different shades of blue to create some depth. Peacock Feathers, Faded Jeans and Tumbled Glass.

  
The rest of the stamp is too detailed to color with the sponges, so I used the Distress Reinkers and a water brush. Of course I had to distress the edges with Distress Ink, and deliberately left the edges of the hot air balloon alone so it pops more.

  
I know, the Word Play letters again. Just can't help myself, I think they're really cool. This time I painted them black first and then with did the Dry Brush technique on it to give it an old and rusty metal look. With the Label Letters, some Gears and a Spinner it's a wrap!

To join in all you need to do is make a project that fits this weeks challenge and you can be the winner of the $50 gift voucher that our amazing sponsor Simon Says Stamp offers. This prize will go to a random entry. So go over to the Stamp and Show Challenge blog, let the DT members inspire you and join in the fun!

Thank you for stopping by! Love to see you next time!

Hugs,
Sandra

21 comments:

Inkypinkycraft said...

I love steampunk and this is wonderful ! a really cool make trace x

Patricia said...

Mooie tag hoor Sandra!
Prachtige background!
Gr Patricia

Suzanne C said...

Cool background from the foam stamp! Love the effect and the balloon works beautifully with the gears background. Beautiful tag!

Candy C said...

That is such a cool idea on how to make your own stamp using heat and foam! Thanks for the tip...I need to try that! Love your steampunk tag, Sandra. Love the brown background with the manila gears showing. Very cool! <3 Candy

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Lovely tag Sandra, the background works beautifully with the balloon image. I love how you have only used part of the image at the edge of your tag, lovely touch. The lettering is perfect. Clever idea too making your own background stamp. Enjoy your week. Tracy x

Anna-Karin said...

Fabulous background Sandra and that folder worked really well here. Perfect idea for using your embossing folders differently. Love the balloon too.

Marjie Kemper said...

Fantastic! Love your gorgeous background and that bright blue balloon!

Nicecrane Designs said...

Absolutely stunning Tag Sandra,,,,,love every detail here and all over your colored ballon,,,,,woww,woww,,very well done.Thanks for your comments at Jenny ' s blog (pushingtherightbuttons) about my bird picts,...so feel free to ask me your favorite product from all my stuff for free.....e-mail me to nicecrane@yahoo.com

Jenny Marples said...

OK, love this idea of creating your own background with the embossing folder, especially when it works as well as yours. Love how you've put this together, hugs Jenny x

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Really cool tag, Sandra! Thanks for showing the tutorial of how you made it too! It's awesome :)

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

Kelly said...

Great tag, I love the stamps you used on this one. Love the balloon also, just my style with the gears and such.
Hugs Kelly

Sandy said...

First of all I want to thank you for showing us how you did that - this technique really made for a great background. Good for you - you clever lady!! The background has so much depth to it rather than simply embossing it. Well done Sandra. Your whole tag is wonderful!!
Sandy

May said...

Fabulous tag, Love that background so clever!! the colours are amazing..Thanks so much for the great tutorial... Hugs May x x

Terry said...

Oh and I love your background, Sandra! What a great pop of blue from the balloon. Fabulous tag as always! Enjoy the week! Hugs!

Sunshine Girl said...

This is wonderful - great tutorial too - thanks for sharing.

Annie said...

Fabulous Make. Sandra. Brilliant Steampunk piece.

Hugs
Annie x

Anonymous said...

so totally cool!!!

CraftLein* - enjoy creativity said...

Ik had hem al in de mail. Hij is zoooooooo gaaf, maar ik heb nu ook een paar afdrukjes van jou mooie ballon stempel!!! Kan ik mooi ook weer eens aan de slag met jouw mooie stempels.....hihihi liefs lein

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I love finding new ways to use my tools, and this background stamp making idea is superb. I LOVE the steampunk design you created with it too. Blessings!

Gráinne said...

An absolutely gorgeous TAG, love it! So many details and elaborate work. A pleasure to look at. Super great job. Suzanne x

Michelle said...

This is so cool. I love the blue on the balloon. It really pops.