07.08.09

Shimmerz Swaps with Impression Obsessoion

Posted in Creative Cuts & More, Recent projects, Shimmerz Paint at 7:06 pm

The Shimmerz Paints team had the opportunity to pair with Impression Obsession rubber stamps.  I’d like to share a some samples using the same image but with various techniques resulting in different looks for each.  I’ll also be providing a couple tips, specifically using Shimmerz, along the way that I’ve discovered through trial and error.  Here is my first sample…

I used a hot drink wrap for the mat portion of the image. Here’s the way I did it. First, I took a Ranger Craft Mat and put my Red Brick ink pad directly onto the Craft Mat. Then give a little spritz of “Barn Door” Shimmerz Spritz, add some “Fire Engine Red” Shimmerz paint and mix (I use a kabob skewer to stir it all around. Then place your paper pieces face down and rub around. Click on thumbnails for larger images.

Take a look and see what you’ve got - if you want more color and paint repeat the face down rubbing around motion. Set aside to dry while you stamp the IO “Coffee Aroma” image with Black Graphite Brilliance ink, heat-set, color with COPICS, die cut with rectangle Spellbinders die, airbrush with light color COPIC, mat on black, lightly paint on “Candle Light” Shimmerz on the steam. By this time your smooched wrap should be dry, put on card base, wrap with ribbon, stamp sentiment (IO) on bottom and your done.

I’ve often heard when using water based inks, paints, sprays, which includes Shimmer Spritz that the paper warps.  I have a couple of suggestions - first either real thin (like copy paper) or fine quality watercolor paper works best and reduces the likelihood of warping. For my watercolor paper I use Winsor & Newton, water colour block, 140 lbs, cold pressed with a smooth finish - especially if I plan to stamp an image onto the watercolor paper. Regardless of what paper I use for my project I always use a shallow box (I really like the ones that Costco uses for your groceries, soda/beer case boxes, or even the tops of those bankers boxes… the more shallow the better so I can move around and get the spray where I want it.  You will and should expect some overspray so protect your surface.  I do not recommend using inked newspaper - I’ve had ink transfer through to my projects.

If when I’m using either thin or cardstock, I’ve found it best to spray several light coats, letting dry between each coat, and building the color - this seems to work much better than spraying a real heavy coat that seems to cause the warping.  If you do have some curling or warping then I’ve been known to place my paper between two sheets of white copy paper and put some weights (like magazines) on in for a short time - that seems to keep it flatter.  I’ve also been known to use a small travel size iron and iron the backside……. but I really don’t even like to iron my clothes so…. this is used as a last resort…..

My next two samples were techniques I learned from PatStamps Technique Junkie newsletter.  I used watercolor paper, notice that I used some painter’s tape to hold the corners down - that seems to keep the warping to a minimum. Sprayed with “Espresso” Color Wash from Ranger, let slightly dry and then used “Mud Pie” on first sample and “Truffle” Shimmerz Spritz on the second.  Let dry completely. Then you’re going to stamp and emboss your image.

At this point you will be painting bleach on the image. My personal preference is to use an old water brush that is dedicated for bleach…. the key here is to use fresh bleach…. so if your water brush has been sitting for a while with old bleach, dump out and replace with fresh. Paint on your bleach, let dry, then you can paint like the sample done in red or the other sample I just left with the natural color that was left. Trim, mat, and finish card as desired.

Here’s my final samples using this technique.

Notice that cute little acetate pillow pouch - filled with “Buzz Beans”

Both samples use Graphic 45 pattern paper - love it!!!!  Hope these little tips and techniques help you use your products with the best results and reduce the mistakes or possible dissatisfaction….. I think you will really like these products - I personally love them. For now, take a look at all the gorgeous samples from both the Shimmerz Paints and Impression Obsession design teams.  Enjoy and Create, Lila

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