
Close to My Heart® offers a wonderful selection of stamps for various occasions and seasons. Lots of themed sets or individual stamps to choose from.
- Animals
- Baby
- Birthday
- Celebrations
- Christmas
- Country
- Dogs
- Fall
- Gardening
- Halloween
- Hanukkah
- Music
- Noah's Ark
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- Outdoors
- Recipes
- Scrapbooking
- School
- Southwestern
- Spring
- Sports
- Summer
- Textured
- Thanksgiving
- Weddings
- Winter
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TIPS & TRICKS
Are you a beginner who needs help with stamping and scrapping terms? Need a few ideas to get you started? Here's a quick list of different ways to use your stamps to create those cards that will simply thrill any receiver!
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Bleaching
This consist of using everyday laundry bleach to stamp. Bleaching on the darker cardstock can provide some very "special" effects. You may want to try different colors to see which look you like best - the darker the color the more dramatic.
Bleach Stamping
- Put a layer of paper towels in a Styrofoam tray or small tin foil tray& pour in a little bleach.
- It's best to use a bold or simple stamp for best results. A finely detailed stamp will not work with this technique.
- Lightly tap the stamp onto the bleach soaked paper towels, just like when inking a stamp and stamp your image. Do not rock your stamp back and forth as it will produce a wide outline.
SAFETY NOTE: Bleach Stamping is NOT recommended for Scrapbooks!
Also, always make sure you are in a very well ventilated area when using bleach. Dispose of any unused bleach immediately & rinse your rubber stamps immediately as bleach can disintegrate rubber.
Embossing with Bleach Highlights
- Select a stamp and emboss your image. Remember to use darker colored cardstock.
- Take a nylon brush and apply bleach in areas that you want highlighted.
- If you want a shadow/halo effect to your image simply apply additional bleach around the outside edge of the embossed image.
NOTE: You can only use nylon brushes for this technique.
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Candle Stamping
Select a candle any size,color, or shape with the exception of tapered. Pick out the colors you are going to work with and pick get your stamps & ink pads together. You will need some plain white tissue paper (wrapping), a sponge, water and embossing heat gun/tool.
- Pick a design you would like to stamp on your candle.
- Cut a piece of white tissue paper to the size of the candle without overlapping.
- Stamp the design on the tissue paper.
- Sponge just enough water onto the back of the tissue paper to allow it to stick to the surface of the candle. Do not overwet. Remove any excess overlaping paper.
- Preheat your embossing tool& start applying heat to the surface of the tissue paper. Move the tool around the paper evenly while applying heat. The tissue paper will start to dry out and then disappear as the heat begins to soften the candle wax. You are dealing with wax, so remember not to overheat the candle as it can loose it's shape.
NOTE: You can emboss or use metallic ink on the tissue paper before applying it to the candle for a special effect.
SAFETY NOTE: Do not burn candles if you have applied tissue paper done the complete side of the whole candle. To use a stamped candle apply the tissue paper to the last 1/4 of the candle and DO NOT burn the candle more then 3/4 of the way down. Candle stamping is for decorative display, so be sure to use caution.
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Embossing Dry and Wet
Dry Embossing
Embossing gives your stamped image a raised-edge sorta like a 3-D dimentional look. It's a great way to add pizzazz to any project you create. It looks harder than it really is.
- Start off by positioning your stencil on album page, cardstock or vellum.
- Use a post-it note or removable tape to put the stencil in place.
- Place the paper with the template side down on your light box.
- Run some wax paper over the area to be embossed. (This allows a smooth even flow of the stylus.)
- Trace the outside of the stencil design with the large end of the stylus tool. Just cover the edges of the design.
- Carefully remove the tape.
NOTE: If you want the dry embossed image to stand out, apply color to the embossed image with a sponge dauber, chalks, colored pencils or markers. Do this before step 3.
Wet Embossing
- Ink stamp with embossing ink and stamp your image.
- Pour some embossing powder onto image while the image is still wet.
- Tap excess powder off onto a scrap piece of paper.
- Heat until powder melts and becomes shiny.
- Return the excess powder to embossing powder jar.
NOTE: If you are having a problem with embossing powder sticking in areas that it shouldn't be, there are a few things you can try to correct this. Wash your hands to remove any excess powders or dirt. Then try running an anti-static sheet (kind you use in the dryer) over your cardstock before applying the embossing ink.
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Kissing
- Ink a textured stamp generously (one with lines, dots, etc.) and place it face up on the table.
- Select any solid stamp and stamp on the inked texture stamp.
- Stamp on your project.
- The result of "kissing" is a subtle or textured version of the solid stamp.
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Large Background Stamps
Large background stamps are hard to handle if you're not use to them, but if your patient you will learn to use them in a variety of ways.
- Turn your large background stamp so the rubber is facing up.
- Simply remove the lid from your CTMH® exclusive ink pad & completely ink the stamp by tapping the ink on the rubber.
- Carefully place your cardstock on the inked rubber & place a piece of scratch paper over it.
- Apply smooth firm strokes across your scratch paper making certain to rub all areas of the stamp. Be careful to keep the cardstock from sliding.
- Remove the scratch paper & carefully lift the cardstock off the stamp.
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Liquid Applique
Liquid applique is a fun puff paint for both paper and fabric! The fine tip and easy application make it simple to add a new dimension to your creations. Easy instructions are included in the package
How to use:
- Sparingly apply liquid applique to the desired area by gently squeezing the tube and writing or filling in the area.
- For best results, set your project aside overnight to dry before applying heat. This step may be omitted if you just can't wait.
- Heat with an embossing heat tool. You will be able to see the surface puff up as it heats. Be careful not to overheat the area, it will scorch and become uneven or lift from the paper.
Z308 Liquid Applique "White" - $3.25, Page 143
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Masking
Is bascially laying one object over the other. If you wanted to make a project were a basketball was in front of a basketball net. Here's how you take two single stamps and work them into a project together.
- Stamp the foreground image "Basketball Net" on your project (card, scrapbook page, etc.).
- Stamp the same image onto a Post-it note, or scrap piece of paper.
- Cut the image staying just inside the stamp outline. If you used a scrap piece of copy paper, apply 2-way glue to the back side to hold the mask in place - this is your mask.
- Place the mask over the stamped image on your project lining it up exactly so that just the outline of your stamped image shows from behind. By having the mask slightly smaller than the original stamped image it will prevent a white "halo" where the ink doesn't stamp.
- Stamp the second image "Basketball" overlapping the first image. When the mask is peeled away, your new image will appear to look behind the first image.
TIME SAVER: Save the masks that you make for each stamp set in the plastic box the stamps come in. Next time you want to use the same affect you'll be ready to go!
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Place-A-Stamp
If you have problems getting a stamped image exactly where you want it then you absolutely have to have this tool. It's great for creating perfectly aligned images every time!
- You will need both the Place-A-Stamp tool & the see-through Plastic (vellum can be substituted however it cannot be reused like the see-through plastic can). Place the Place-A-Stamp tool in front of you on a hard stamping surface. Lay the see-through plastic directly into the square making sure it is right up against both the bottom & left hand edge of the Place-A-Stamp tool.
- Ink your stamp & align it in the square of the Place-A-Stamp tool & firmly stamp down on to the see-through plastic.
- Set the Place-A-Stamp tool aside.
- Take the see-through plastic and position it exactly where you want the stamped image to be aligned.
- Reposition the Place-A-Stamp tool to line up with the see-through plastic again making sure to get it is up against the see-through plastic both on the bottom and the left hand side.
- Remove the see-through plastic.
- Ink your stamp and align it in the square of the Place-A-Stamp tool & stamp down.
- Make sure to wipe the ink off of your see-through plastic so it's ready for the next time you need to use it.
Z325 Place-a-Stamp Tool $13.25, Page 143
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Rubber Brayer
Resist Technique
- Prepare your white cardstock for the base of your card. Determine it's dimensions and make your fold. (Matte CS works best)
- Ink a stamp with clear embossing ink. Stamp the image onto your card. No need to dry or heat this image.
- Ink your rubber brayer with Close To My Heart® Exclusive Ink Pads & roll the inked brayer directly over your stamped image and all around the background area. As you brayer, the images will appear. The clear embossing ink will resist the dye based ink. This technique gives you a softer subtle look.
Other Brayering Techniques
- Experiment with different textures for your brayer.
- Wrap rubber bands around the brayer before inking on a pad.
- Wrap plastic food wrap around the brayer roller before inking on the pad.
- Brayer over bubble wrap. Place bubble wrap on your stamping surface bubbles up. Place your cardstock over that and ink your brayer with a Close To My Heart® ink pad. Roll the brayer over the cardstock. This reveals the textured surface beneath. You can basically use anything with a texture!
Create your own background
- Ink a rubber stamp & roll a brayer over it's surface, picking up the ink.
- Repeat several times with the stamp in different positions on the brayer.
- Roll the brayer across your paper or card. Repeat with different shades of ink if desired.
- For an added touch stamp directly on the paper with the same inked rubber stamp for a foreground focal point. This will create a finer, more vividly colored image than the softer brayered background, and will also be a mirror image, adding variety.
Z616 Rubber Brayer - $10.95, Page 140
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Sponge Brayer
The sponge brayer is perfect for adding delicate soft patterns to your scrapbook pages or card projects. Use this tool with the page stencils to apply light and spacious color patterns.
- Use the sponge brayer with a page stencil. Pick an ink pad that will work well with the pictures or stamps you will be using on your page.
- Open the lid to the ink pad and roll the sponge brayer across it making sure to get all sides of the sponge.
- Place your page stencil over your cardstock or your card project & roll the color on.
NOTE: Be careful not to over do it. It will appear, especially with light ink colors that you are not getting much color on your cardstock. But, you will be surprised when you lift the page stencil away from the cardstsock as to how much color is really there.
To clean the sponge brayer, simply remove the sponge and rinse in water til no color comes out of the sponge. Some darker colors can stain the sponge. Even after it has been rinsed and air dried make sure no color comes out of the sponge.
1817 Sponge Brayer - $4.95, Page 140
1818 Sponge Brayer Refill - $2.95, Page 140
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Sponging
- Select the color ink pad you would like to use & open the lid.
- Take your sponge stenciler & pick up ink from the ink pad. Be careful because there will be more ink on the stenciler then you think.
- Blot the stenciler to your cardstock. You can apply more ink if you want to apply darker shading.
- You can even do this to apply a halo effect around your stamped image. This looks great!
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Vellum
A semi-transparent paper - Weight 30#
Stained Glass Technique
- Determine the size of vellum you need to use for your card. For best results reduce the size anywhere from 1/2" to 1" the size of your card.
- Ink your stamp with embossing ink & stamp in the center of the vellum. Be careful - stamps will try to slip and slide on you when stamping on vellum.
- Cover stamped image with embossing powder. White creates a softer effect and black will produce a very clean defined effect. Pick the color which best fits the project your working on.
- Heat the image being careful not to get your embossing gun too close to the vellum. Hold heat gun about 2-3 inches away, using circular motions. If your vellum tries to curl just back the heat gun a little further away.
- Turn your vellum over and color the back of the image with Close To My Heart® exclusive color markers.
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Watercolor
Watercolor Pencils
When using watercolor pencils start with lighter colors first and work to the darker. It's best to let the colors overlap each other and blend for interesting shades. Rather than start off with a heavy application it is much easier and effective to apply several light coats of pencil shadings. You can always add more until the desired coloring is reached. Erase stray marks with a art eraser.
- Stamp your open lined image on CTMH® Ultra White Cardstock for best results.
- Use your watercolor pencils to add color to the inside of the image. Add heavier coloring in certain areas to give your finished product a 3 dimensional appearance.
- Use a blending pen to blend the color together. Complete one color & then clean the blender. Once cleaned go onto the next color.
NOTE: For bright bold colors, take the pigment directly from the tip of the pencil.
Close to My Heart® Exclusive Ink Pads
- Press your thumb on the lid of a closed CTMH® Exclusive Ink Pad.
- Open the lid and use a wet watercolor brush to pick up the accumulated ink to paint your open lined image.
- Watercoloring actually looks best when it goes outside the lines and the image is not completely colored in!
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Wire
Wire In Your Scrapbooks?!
Adding wire to your scrapbook pages or gift cards can really create a very unique project. The first thing to say about wire is don't be afraid and the second thing to say is just try it...you'll like it! Here's a few suggestions to help you get started:
- Hang Things
- Create Photo Corners or Frame Accents
- Make Shapes (braces, eye glasses, hangers, wings)
- Thread beads and charms
- Twist into initials or words
Attaching Wire
- Adhesives: Sticky Dots & Wonder Tape - this method works best on shapes that have a little bulk to them so you have somewhere to place adhesive discreetly.
- Glue: Best with bulk shapes. Place some glue in the bulky spots and then lay on your project. Place a piece of waxed paper over object and lay a heavy book on top to hold the wire in place while the glue dries.
- Stitching: I've never tried this, so I'm going to recommend a good technique or craft book for this one.
NOTE: Safety: Make sure your wire accents are not facing a photograph on the opposite page. You don't want to open your scrapbook and find a damaged photo. Remember to always store your albums in an upright position.
Tips
- Paper Crimper: Run your wire through a crimper and shape. This will give your wire a very fun and whimsical appeal.
- Wire Cutters: Makes close cuts in one snip. Scissors are OK to use, but save wire cutting for your utility or garden scissors as the wire can damage the blade.
- Round Nose Pliers: Helps to bend your wire into loops and rounded bends...gives you the ability to form more detail.
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Cleaning Stamps
- Clean your stamps with a wet paper towel or a damp rag after each stamping session. Be sure not to put your stamps away wet. Either let them air dry or blot them with a towel.
- It's not a bad idea to occasionally clean your stamps with Close To My Heart® rubber stamp cleaner. This lightly scented product is gentle & non-toxic. It's great for conditioning the rubber & you'll love the superior cleaning power of the scrub top bottle.
- If you've used Black Archival Ink & then you know it's a bear to get to get clean. You might want to try our Black Archival Stamp Cleaner.
- To clean the finely detailed areas of a stamp apply some stamp cleaner to a soft bristled tooth brush.
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Stamp Storage
Some ideas might be the rubbermaid 1, 2, 3 and more drawer units. You can label them by occasion, season, sayings, whatever works best for you. You can store them in baskets, boxes, tubs, anything that works best for you and your living space. It is recommended that you don't stack your stamps anymore than 2 high. The weight of the other stamps could damage the stamp for future impressions.
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Ink Pad Storage
Store all single color ink pads upside down. This gets the ink to the top of the pad, so it's ready when you're ready to start stampin'. Kaleidacolor and Rainbow pads (multiple colored pads) should be stored face up.
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CTMHpeddler@lycos.com
Close To My Heart®, D.O.T.S.®, Dozens of Terrific Stamps®, ABC Scrapbook Program®
and all other trademarks are owned by the JRL Design Co. Referral Line 1-888-655-6552. Graphics on this web site are not representative of JRL Design Co.
U.S. Sales Only!
Web Design by I.B. Stampin' No portion of this web site may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent. All rights reserved. Copyright ©2002 I.B. Stampin'
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