Crafts by Carolyn - Stamping with Versamark

Introduction to Rubber Stamping - stamping with Versamark
So I hope that the previous articles on rubber stamping have inspired you to have a go at stamping. Here is set of ideas for stamping that can be really effective and all you need is a Versamark stamp pad, so very little investment. Versamark stamp pad is a sticky clear pad, and apart from the techniques mentioned here is ideal to use with embossing powders, this is a whole subject on its own and I will tackle that on another day! Perfect Medium by Ranger can also be used. Big thank you to Jackie Okey-Dokey for all her lovely examples that she did for this article. I have put a selection of images on this page to give you more ideas and are bigger images, than shown here. The stamping section on the forum has lots of advice on techniques: rubber stamping forum
If you choose coloured card stock and stamp with your versamark it will make a ‘watermark’ on your card, this makes for great background and can be a perfect way to colour match a card. All sorts of stamps are great to use - swirls and flowers are perfect. You can see I have added a swirl to the corner. You just literally stamp with your Versamark and let it dry. If you want to speed up the drying process you can use a heat gun. --> In the sample below Jackie has stamped on various shades of card so that you can see the contrast, and the different effects that can be achieved.
	Pretty Pink The pink background on this card has been stamped with a daisy stamped and then inked around the edge with a cats eye chalk ink pads. This would also look great if brushed over with shimmer powders - see below.
	You can see how the polka dot background stamp transforms the pale green card in the sample (above right), a simple idea but is a lovely effect. You can always use the Versamark around the edges.-->
Chalks & Shimmer powders This one I stamped with the versamark, then while it was still wet (tacky), I dusted it over with dry chalks, I used a cotton wool ball to apply the chalk, and kind of dab it on. Once I had chalked everything I got a clean cotton wool ball and wiped off the excess. Cheap tip: If you have not got any chalks, root around and find powder eyeshadows or blushers etc and try using these. Some are fantastic to use and often include shimmers. Or search out some cheap makeup on market stalls. The shimmering pigment powders can be used in the same way, and you can brush over designs like the background ideas above, to give them a sparkle I find this technique perfect for beginners as you can cover up a few mistakes with the stamping. Once you have finished you can fix it with hairspray, or the pigment powders need a spritz with water. But they don't always need something test it and see. Sometimes fixing can dull or spoil the finish.
More Chalks Two more here from Jackie - the green card below uses chalks on versamark and a strip of the green vellum. The black card has been covered with chalk using a cotton wool ball, and then stamped with versamark, the sticky versamark removes the chalk, it doesn't work well with white. The dots and lines were made using the versamak pen. (Hint - If you don't have a polka dot stamp you could always just use the pen). You could just use the pen to scribble, doodle, write a name or greeting etc, and it will lift off the chalk as it goes.

Resist on Glossy Card Another technique with versamark is ‘resist’. Jackie has shown us an example here. She stamped on white glossy card with versamark and polka dot background stamp. She then blasted it with heat to dry the ink. On the sample the left hand side has been brayered using Kaleidacolor calypso dye ink and the right hand side was swiped over with memento rhubarb stalk dye ink. So you don't need a brayer just using the ink pad direct to the card will work. The excess is then wiped off with kitchen roll leaving the dots to show through. --> It is important to use a glossy card for this technique – but you can play with different coloured card and different inks. The brayered side was then stamped with Stazon black and red ink for the tag. As shown below.
		Two hearts were stamped on the right hand side (memento rhubarb stalk dye ink) using black Stazon and cut out. These were added to a card with polka dot background stamped using the same colour. So an investment in a polka dot stamp can go a long way.
Drop Shadow This is a great way to enhance your word stamps, but may take a little practice to get it right. You stamp first with a colour then stamp over it with the Versamark, but just off the first image to create a shadow (can be above, below or to either side). Using clear stamps will help you get good results with this. Or 'mark' where the corner of your stamp was placed, with a set square, lego bricks made into a 'corner' or you can get a stamp positioner. (click through for larger image). Here is a card with the background, drop shadow and Jackie used chalks on the butterfly to give a very gentle effect.-->
		Using Vellum If you stamp on vellum, then put it onto a foam mat (such as an old mouse mat), then go over it with an embossing tool, it will give a white colour and embossed effect to it. The versamark makes a nice slick surface to use the tool on but it can smudge, and the embossed image will be a mirror image of the original stamp. See the image on the left. This is on pale green vellum, but the image is over a blue mat just to show up the effect more. (click through for larger image).