Cardmaking 101 – Types of Ink

Cardmaking class UK free

There are so many different inks out there! Dye, water based dye, pigment, craft, alcohol, ones that smooth out, ones that are best for blending, ones that react with water, the list goes on and on and on!

As a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I only use Stampin’ Up! inks these days, but I have used others in the past, and do still reach for them on occasion. But I truly believe for a great all round ink, that’s great for beginner stampers, you cannot beat Stampin’ Up! inks!

Ok, so; there are several different inks in the catalogue. I’ll start with our Classic Inks. Available in Stampin’ pads, as refils, or in Stampin’ Write Markers, the classic ink is a great all round ink. It stamps wonderfully, often a little darker and splotchy at first but it smooths as it dries leaving a perfect crisp image every time! And if you think that is all Stampin’ Up! ink is good for, you are about to learn something! I use our Classic ink for water-colouring, adding some ink onto a clear acrylic block and adding water before using a paintbrush to colour my image. It’s also reactive to water, meaning that you can splatter water onto a project (before it’s completely dry works best) to bleach away some of the colour. It blends beautifully with sponge daubers or a blending tool. And it comes in 46 different colours!

Currently we don’t have a black Classic Ink (I am assured it will return, but it needed re-formulating to make it even better!), but we do have two great black options!

Memento Tuxedo Black is my go-to black ink, and I am so pleased Stampin’ Up! have continued to carry it. I have loved this ink for years! I can guarantee a clean crisp true black image with this ink, and it is safe to use with your Alcohol markers too. The Other option for Black ink is Stazon. Stazon is an alcohol based ink, great for stamping on slick surfaces like Window Sheets or tiles, but its also waterproof, and so great for stamping your images before you watercolour. One thing to be aware of with Stazon though is that it will stain your stamps, special Stazon cleaner is recommended, and I prefer to avoid using it at all with my photopolymer stamps (but sometimes it can’t be avoided!). Stazon is also available as a white ink, which comes with its refill as it is known to  dry out quickly.

White ink is also available as a pigment ink; Craft Stanpin’ Ink, is a permanent pigment ink. This is a great white ink, but it takes a while to dry. You can speed up the drying process with your heat tool, you add embossing powder to set it. Craft ink looks awesome on dark card stocks such as Night of Navy or Basic Black.

The final ink I’m going to talk about in Versamark. I love this ink! Versamark is my first choice for stamping and heat embossing, it is a clear sticky ink that holds your embossing powered to the card stock while you heat set it. It is the best! Versamark is also great for creating a tone-on-tone stamped look, or watermark effects.

What’s you favourite ink?


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Tag a Bag

I haven’t featured these kits for a while on the blog, although I use them all the time! I was so excited to see a brand new Tag a Bag Accessory kit in the new Annual Catalogue.  This time featuring Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, Garden Green and Night of Navy. The kits are designed to help you add the finishing touch to gifts and treats but I use them all over!

The kit includes 10 large tag bases, and 10 tag building layers, over 18m of linen thread! doilies, Dimensionals, 10 gorgeous gold paperclips and 5 adhesive strips in Calypso Coral.

I have to say I use these adhesive strips all over! they make great labels, and my embossing powder containers are marked up with a piece with the colour of embossing power on the strip!

I will be using this kit on some projects really soon, but I wanted to give you a look at what you get for just £7.25! first!

What’s you go to item in the new catalogue?



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You’re Toadally Awesome!

Stampin' Up! UK You're Sublime Cucumber Crush card

We are now less than a month til the Wedding and things are crazy busy, saying that I am still making time for all of you, and have another Free Online Workshop coming next Wednesday! I have mentioned before that I work ahead of time, well at the moment I think I’m a month ahead, we are away for 3 weeks on honeymoon in August and I don’t want to abandon you guys. I will be contactable by email while I’m away, and I’m sure I’ll be sharing some pictures of sandy beaches and blue skies on Facebook!

So, this month’s free online workshop uses one of my favourite stamp sets from the new Annual Catalogue – You’re Sublime! It’s just too cute!

Stampin' Up! UK You're Sublime Cucumber Crush card

This card has a card base of Cucumber Crush, with a matt of Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper (remember me saying how much I love this paper, yep, still using it!), and a piece of that lovely Cucumber Crush Dotted Lace Trim – Yum!

The frog is stamped in Stazon ink onto a 2″ circle of Whisper White. I did actually watercolour this with Cucumber Crush ink, yes, onto Whisper White! I know, I know! cool huh!



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Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

Week in Review – Weekly deals and a bonus project!

Stampin' Up! UK chocolate gift bag

This weeks Week in Review is a little different this week. As usual I have my top picks of this weeks Weekly deals, but I have a bonus project for you! (which is why this post is a little late!)

My wonderful upline is featuring 6×6 projects this week, and I thought I would jump on the bandwagon! So, lets get the Weekly deals over with first, and then I’ll show you a super cute bag!

Weekly Deals

Stampin' Up! UK Weekly Deals Bonus Deals

There are heaps of deals again this week, but there is a catch – they are only available in limited quantities, so if you see something you like – grab it now!

Sale: £2.06

Price: £2.75

Sale: £13.50

Price: £18.00

Sale: £3.38

Price: £4.50

Sale: £25.20

Price: £36.00

Sale: £3.38

Price: £4.50

Sale: £16.50

Price: £22.00

Sale: £3.85

Price: £5.50

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 What a great selection! I adore my magnetic platform, it is the greatest addition to the Big Shot and makes lining dies and stamping up so easy! I have featured Gold Glimmer paper on a project this week and I LOVE it!
My other top pick is the Stampin’ Trimmer Rotary Addition which is definitely coming home with me!

What have I been up to?

Heaps! This week I am free from the day job, so I’m taking advantage and getting lots of blog work done! I spent all of yesterday filming and I plan to do something very similar today. I also managed to grab a couple of days off with James last week, and took advantage of the great weather for a picnic in the park!

StampinbyHannah Weekly deals bonus project

I also have plans for getting this Wedding prep sorted by the end of the week! I managed to grab 10 minutes yesterday to cut and score my Orders of Service, so I just have to print and assemble. As well as create the bouquets, finish the seating plan, and fill the favours! One month to go today! eeeeek!

Bonus Project!

So, I don’t normally include a crafty project on a Wednesday! But, this week my gorgeous upline is running 6×6 week – and I’m jumping on her bandwagon!

Stampin' Up! UK 6x6 week

How cute are these! The left hand bag uses the lovely Go Wild Designer Series Paper, while the other uses Bohemian (two sets of DSP I totally wasnt sure about, but have completely fallen in love with! )

Measurements:

Designer Series Paper – 6 x 6″ (15 x 15 cm)

Score on the first side at – 2 1/8, 2 7/8, 5, 5 3/4″ (5.3, 7.3, 12.6 and 14.6 cm)

Score on the second side at 3/4″ (2 cm)

I am sorry for the tiny strip down the side, but as you can see on the video our Tear and Tape fits in the gap well.

What do you think?

Code Club

XEQGUA4P

Don’t forget about my Code Club. Shop in my online store using this code, and I will be sending you some special gifts at the start of next month!



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Hannah Wilks

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

Ink Splatter Two Ways

Stampin' Up! UK Ink Splatter Gorgeous Grunge Watercolour Thank you

Slightly different style of video for you today. I am going to try some different videos over the next few weeks, thinking of trying some ‘craft along’ type videos. I wanted to show you the two ways I most commonly make ink splatters. I love this look, although I don’t share it very often, I do use both of these methods to create this effect

Stampin' Up! UK Ink Splatter Gorgeous Grunge Watercolour Thank you

As you will see in the video I wasn’t really sure where I was going with this card. I had pulled this stamp, as well as as Cucumber Crush and Watermelon Wonder inks, the card base and a Whisper White matt.

There are two different types of ink splatter here (well, its almost three, but I want you to ignore the large Cucumber Crush Splat for the moment).

The Watermelon Wonder ink splatters are watered down ink, splattered onto the card stock with a paint brush, whilst the Cucumber Crush ones are a stamp! Can you tell the difference? because I can’t! How cool is that!

What do you think? Which is your favourite ink splat method?



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Perpetual Birthday Card!

Stampin' Up! UK Perpetual Birthday Calendar Pootles

I’m currently preparing for my Perpetual Birthday Calendar Kit Class at the weekend. (I’m sure to repeat this one, just let me know if you’d be interested!) and so the stamps have been out on my table, and I just had to use them on a card! My wonderful Upline Pootles regularly uses this stamp sets on cards, so I think I was channelling my inner Pootler with this one! I’ve even used Glimmer paper!

As you probably know by now I’m in the final few weeks before my Wedding! (almost sorted!) and so am also making heaps of cards as Thank you’s for various people. I will share some of these while I’m on my honeymoon, but I though I would share this one a little earlier (I know James doesn’t read the blog so I know he’s not going to see this!)

Stampin' Up! UK Perpetual Birthday Calendar Pootles

I bought I’m a special gift to open on the day, and needed a card to go with it. This is perfect!

I don’t usually do loads of layers, but like I said, channelling my inner Pootler here – the card base is a piece of Real Red card stock cut to 4 x 8″ and scored at 4″ to make a 4×4 card base. The layers are then Very Vanilla (3 3/4 x 3 3/4″), Gold Glimmer Paper (3 x 3″), Real Red (2 3/4 x 2 3/4″), and Very Vanilla (2 1/2 x 2 1/2″).

The stamping is also in Real Red using that cute scattered heart stamp from the Perpetual Birthday Calender stamp set.

What do you think?



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Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

Cardmaking 101 – How to Stamp

Cardmaking class UK free

Hello!

Welcome to another episode of Cardmaking 101! This week we are looking at ‘how to stamp!’

I think this is one of those things that new card makers can really struggle with, getting a clear, crisp image, and avoiding those dreaded inky halo’s.

Stampin' Up! UK how to stamp tutorial

I think the best way to explain this one is in video, but the key really is a smooth action (and practice!) getting the stamp mounted properly on your block, and stamping down and straight up – No Rocking!

check out the video to see what I mean

If you have any burning card making 101 questions please let me know in the comments below, or email me via the Contact Me button at the top of the page. Thanks



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Hannah Wilks

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

Card Storage Box

Stampin' Up! UK card storage box cherry on top DSP

There are a stack of these floating around on Pinterest, but I just had to put my own spin on it. The Classic Card Box. I wanted a box specifically to hold cards and envelopes while they wait to go to customers. Did you know that I always send a ‘Thank You’ card when you place an order in my store? If you have ordered and haven’t received a card it may be that you have selected ‘No Contact’ drop me an email if you think I’ve missed you.

Stampin' Up! UK card storage box video tutorial

The first box uses Lost Lagoon card stock, and a piece of that lovely Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack. Whereas the video version is in Bermuda Bay with a piece of Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper. I grabbed the Cherry on Top DSP during demonstrator Pre-Order, purely because it was available to me! Demonstrators get the chance to order from a sample of product before the big launch! and I have to say, looking at the pictures in the Catalogue, I’m not sure that I would have ordered if it hadn’t been in that pre-order selection. And I would have missed out! Because it is fabulous! Featuring Bermuda Bay, Cucumber Crush, Crushed Curry, Pool Party, Tip Top Taupe and Watermelon Wonder, and a collection of birthday themed papers with some great patterns; it would look fab as part of a Project Life album! I might even have to order a second pad!

Measurements:

Card stock – 12 x 8″ (30.5 x 20.5 cm)

Score on the long side at – 4 1/2, 5 3/4, 10 1/4, and 11 1/2″ (11.5, 14.5, 26, and 29 cm)

Score on the short side at – 1 1/4″ (3 cm) turn the card stock around and score in the wide section nearest the skinny flap at 1 1/2″ (4 cm)

Designer Series Paper – 4 1/4 x 5″ (11 X 12.5 cm)



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Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

 

Watercolour Wishes!

Stampin' Up! UK watercolour card kit

Hello!

Popping in again to let you know something really cool!

The Watercolour Wishes Card Kit is now available in my Online Store!

This awesome card kit contains a delightful exclusive stamp set, as well as the components to make 20 unique cards (with envelopes!) – die cut pieces, pre-watercoloured card bases, stickers, Stampin’ Spots in Night of Navy and Watermelon Wonder, Washi tape, sequins, wooden elements, and so much more!

Stampin' Up! Watercolor wishes watercolour card kit

grab yours today!


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To purchase any of the items featured in my projects please use the links above. To join my team of Stampin’ Friends select ‘Join My Team’ or send me a message!

Please support StampinByHannah, and join my Code Club, by using the Hostess code featured in the top right hand of my blog. For orders of over £150 please do not use this code, as you are entitled to your own Hostess benefits!

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Hannah Wilks

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

Endless Hip Hip Hooray!

Stampin' Up! UK Endless Birthday Wishes Card CASE catalogue

After saying on Tuesday that it’s been a while since I did a CASE card, I have two in one week! This card is inspired by one on page 7 of the new Annual Catalogue, although different enough that you probably wouldn’t know!

I’ve been playing with the new Endless series of stamps; we have two of these great sets – Endless Birthday Wishes (which I have used here) and Endless Thanks. They are both Photopolymer sets, featuring a series of words and phases in a mixture of a tiny typed typeface and a scripty handwritten font. Just lovely!

Stampin' Up! UK Endless Birthday Wishes Card CASE catalogue

The cake was stamped onto a scrap of watercolour paper using Stazon Black, my favourite ink for water-colouring. Before colouring the cake with Rose Red Ink with less water for the top and bottom, and more water in the middle. The cake stand is in Tip Top Taupe, and the candles are pure Crushed Curry. I’ve also added a background wash of Soft Sky and quite a lot of water to ground that cake, it appeared to sort of float before!

That piece of watercolour paper is attached to a matt of Pink Pirouette, stamped with the dots stamp from the same set in the same colour ink, with some Dimensionals and with a piece of Crumb Cake Stitched Satin Ribbon sandwiched in between. Before mounting the whole piece onto a Sahara Sand card base.

So pretty!


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Hannah Wilks

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator