Technique Thursday - Covering Chipboard

Well, I'm starting this post a few hours before midnight, but I figure as long as I get it done before then it'll still count! I've been sick with a cold the last couple of days and I don't have much energy, but I couldn't let another week go by without posting a new technique. This week I'll be showing you how to cover chipboard in a couple of different ways. Here are the supplies you'll need:

Tweezers
Heat Gun
Craft Ink - I have the Stampin' Spots rather than the full size ink pads. I bought them a couple of years ago when they were on sale. The benefit to using the spots is that you can get all the colors in a color family for a lot less. The downside is that you'll have to re-ink your pads more often.

Chipboard Pieces - the chipboard I'm using is retired, but Stampin' Up! still has great chipboard accents available starting on page 182 of the catalog.

Step 1

Start by pressing the ink pad directly onto your piece of chipboard. If you're using the larger craft ink pads, you might want to use a sponge dauber to pick up the ink and then apply it to the chipboard - it's not so messy that way!

*It takes a little bit to cover the chipboard completely, so just keep applying the ink until you're happy with the result.




*To keep my fingers from getting inky, I simply use my tweezers to hold the chipboard steady.

Step 2

Craft ink is a thicker, more pigmented ink than the regular craft ink, so it takes awhile to dry. You can speed up the drying process just by heat setting the ink with your heat gun. Careful not to heat it too much though - it can still scorch; I've actually seen smoke come off of my chipboard before! I only admit this now to keep you from making the same mistake :)

That's it! Once the ink is dry, you're ready to mount your chipboard. Pretty simple, huh?

Covering Chipboard with Paper

Step 1

Start by placing your chipboard upside-down on your paper. I'm using textured cardstock for these leaves, so I traced them on the wrong side of the paper.

Step 2

Now that you've traced around the chipboard, cut out the image. I usually cut just inside of the line that I've traced, and that matches pretty well with the chipboard piece. If you have some edges that hang over a bit you can always sand them down with a Sanding Block.

Step 3

Now we're ready to glue the cardstock onto the chipboard. I like to use Tombow adhesive - it has two applicator tips which makes it easy to put on just the right amount of glue no matter what size your project is. Plus, it holds really well - I've never had a problem with my projects coming apart after using it.

Make sure you don't put too much adhesive on - remember that the pressure from putting the cardstock on will squeeze some of the glue to the edges and you don't want a gloppy mess oozing onto your cardstock. A little really does go a long way in this instance!

Place the cardstock on the chipboard, smooth it out and Voila! You're ready to put your card together.

*On my finished card I sponged some classic ink around the edges of the leave to give it some shading and dimension.

Finishing Up

You'll notice that the chipboard flower on this card is different than the one that was pictured in the tutorial - that's because I made my sample first (to make sure the idea turned out the way I wanted). When I went back to start taking pictures for the tutorial, I realized that I didn't have anymore of the pieces I needed - how annoying! So I planned to create another card with the other chipboard flower, but I'm going to play the "Sick" card - I'm tired and I just want to go veg on the couch! Besides - this card turned out pretty well, so there's no sense in making another one right this second :)

*For my color scheme, I used Kiwi Kiss, Elegant Eggplant and So Saffron. You might see more samples with the same colors - because I'm really liking the result!

Technique Thursday - Rock 'n Roll

Ok, it's time for my first ever Technique Thursday! I make it a point to introduce new techniques at each Girls' Night Out, but I thought this might be a fun way to refresh your memory on some of the things we've already learned. Make sure to check back for new ideas each week!

This week I'll be showing you how to Rock 'n Roll! It's a really simple technique - but it's lots of fun and a great way to add more color and dimension to your stamped images.

Here are the supplies you'll need:

Ink - in this example we'll be using two coordinating inks, Pink Pirouette and Riding Hood Red.

Stamps - make sure to use a bold stamp for this technique. Line art stamps won't give you the same effect. I'm using Petal Pizazz from the new Spring Catalog.

Step 1

Using the lightest color first, ink your stamp.

Step 2

Now it's time to pull out the darker stamp pad. Making sure to touch only the edges of the image to the ink, roll the stamp all the way around. Keep doing this until you reach the desired amount of ink on the edges of your image.

It may be a little hard to see in this picture, but this is what your stamp will look like. You can just see the darker ink on the outside edge of the flower.

*As you can see in the picture, this technique will get ink on your block. Personally, I find this pretty irritating because I like to keep my stamps as clean as possible, but I like the outcome so much that I'm willing to put up with the ink spots!

Step 3

Now, stamp your image onto a piece of cardstock. Isn't it that cute? I love it!

If you plan to stamp more than one image, I'd suggest cleaning your stamp in between. You'll get a much better image that way.

*Variation

You can achieve a similar look with only one stamp pad. All you need to do is ink your stamp, stamp off once (or twice depending on your preference), then roll the stamp in the ink pad. This is the what I did with the leaves for my card.

Finishing Up

I pieced together my flowers on a square of textured Ridinghood Red cardstock and used Stampin' Dimensionals to make them "pop" off the card.

That's all there is to it! Now you know how to Rock 'n Roll :)

*Sorry the finished card isn't pictured here - I deleted it so that I could send it into a contest at Stampin' Up.