I was not going to give in and do stamps. Was not going to. I don't do cards so why do I need stamps? However, the Blood Splatter stamp is just to cute to pass on. I had to have it and I ordered it last night.

I guess you can call me a stamp virgin. I know nothing.

So... its acrylic. How do I clean it?

What kind of stamp or ink do I use?

Can I use it with embossing powder and a heat gun?

Is there any other care I need to know about for my new toy?

It is a Blood Splatter stamp with a line of dripping blood. It will be great for Halloween layouts. Really cool! Especially if I can use red embossing powder with it.

Also, my new granddaughter is just starting baby food so it will be great "dripping" under her pictures of her making a mess with her food in the color of strained carrots and peas.

So give me the tips, pointers and everything else I need to know being a brand new stamp owner and hopefully user.

I clean my stamps with a scrubbing pad and stamp cleaner. You could also use baby wipes.

I like to use Archival ink on my LOs. Black is always nice and versatile.

Yes, you can use powder and a heat gun. You would need clear embossing ink and colored powder. Or colored pigment ink and clear powder. Archival ink is not for embossing.

You'll need an acrylic block.

I have videos on youtube that address your questions including cleaning and using the stamp and heat embossing. My username is "runzalot81."

Thank you! I will check out your utube videos!

I love stamps and embossing!!! (on my LOs too, I do not make many cards!) If you want dripping blood with a shiny effect, use "pearl finish" embossing powder (red of course ) vs. "opaque finish" My M's has a lot of choices (lacks sorely in everything else)

you took a step down a dangerous path; once you start collecting stamps, inks and powders you will be hooked!

HAVE FUN!!!

Thanks Liz - I will look for the pearl finish embossing powder. I didn't even know there were different embossing effects! One of my friends will help me learn to emboss.

Do you have some layouts you can post using stamps. Not cards, I want to get an idea of how to use them on layouts.

[image] 1 year old photo By Rushli[/image]
The flowers were added to cover up a mistake I made. This one was a gift, and I made this LO for myself too and worked on better placement of the flowers and used a watered down metallic acrylic paint to color in the petals.

Rays of Sun By Rushli
I used a stamp to create the background on this one.
All examples of 1 photo LOs, which I know you don't do, but it shows my favorite use of stamps: as a background. I also love alphabet stamps... I have a cricut, but I am on a trend of stamping the letters. (cause I can emboss! lol)

I used a script stamp on the right. Stamped with brown chalk ink for a subtle effect.
My Mother My Friend By Runzalot81

Stamped: "no shirt..." the doodling and the sun all with Archival black.
live out loud By Runzalot81

The text, circular sentiments, and stitchy lookin' doodle things are stamped.
Remember when... By Runzalot81

LOTS of stamping.
sisters *Flying Unicorn* By Runzalot81

I've just done the stamps...not embossing yet. I like the whole copic thing with stamps. And digistamps are so cool. Instant gratification for me. I have a bunch of acrylics too..haven't used them much. Have to finish a big project first.
But congrats on your purchase and your new venture into stamps. We can learn together.

I really need to use my stamps more, so I'm loving these examples of stamps on LOs!! Here are a couple of mine.

The arrows and gas pump are stamped and embossed, and just cut out around the image
Road Trip By Stick



All the little fishies are stamped to create a patterned background
Cookbook Project: Tuna Mousse By Stick

Guess what? Fantasy Stamps in Marietta called me this PM and thought they had the Bloody Splatter. I have not called them back yet! They are so nice, really great local store owner.

I love to emboss! I like using clear too. If you use clear embossing ink and clear powder you can see the paper thru it. I found some embossing powders on sale on my way home from Bama today. Zig which is $5 for $3. I think they were seasonal colors, pink, pale blue and lavender like Easter colors.

I'm only starting to figure it out but it's fun. Watch out Henri Jean they are addictive.

Oh no! Its showing up everywhere now but I'm glad I have them coming in.

If you want to get it there instead of paying postage, I won't get my feelings hurt although with the price of gas now, postage will probably be cheaper!

I like the sound of clear embossing ink and clear powder - cool to see the paper through it.

Anxious for mine to arrive - want to start playing with it.

Embossing is SO much fun- I don't know what it is about it - it LOOKS great and it's SO easy. It really gives a great finished look to stuff. Maybe I just like using the heat gun. Who knows.

I wish I could be your embossing coach, Miz Henri- you would love it!

-kory

Nah, I don't want to leave you hanging with one since I was the first to raise my hand and say I would buy it. Still a great deal. I will call the store owner back and tell him that you found another.

Since I was contacting him anyway I sent him a link to the LO's I did with the Dreamweaver stencil - which is embossed BTW!

I am loving all the examples of using stamps in layouts - its giving me an idea of how much stamps and layouts really do go together. I just always thought they were mainly a card item so I stayed away from them.

Kory, I wish you could be my embossing coach too! We'd probably shop more than we emboss though. And I know I would end up with every cool embossing powder and ink they make!

I learn hands on and in class. I have a girlfriend now who is helping me with my gypsy because I'm clueless.

I spent 2 hours tonight researching Balinese Hindu funeral and cremation rituals.

I know - weird and bizarre.

We were in Bali and our shuttle bus was stopped for a while in traffic and out our window we saw a Balinese Hindu cremation service so I've been researching it to learn more about it. Actually, they aren't sad - its more of a party or celebration!

Since I have pictures I will make a layout and explain what is going on.

Its a celebration because once they are cremated and ashes are thown in the sea the soul is able to reincarnate. If you are Balinese Hindu, that is a good thing. You come back as a new person or the next baby born into the family - you are in the same family.

Okay, now I have to sift through all the info and put it in some kind of logical order.

I wish Kory could hold a class for us. I'm winging it I tell you! The first time I used the heat embosser I freaked out! LOL! OK, I'm easily amused.

[image] Introducing Zane By Rushli[/image]
speaking of clear embossing... i used a embossing pen over the little critter and flower. I used green powder on the stem, and flocking powder on the nose.

OK, I'll stick my nose in also. You're going to get in trouble now. A few stamps, a few ink pads, a few embossing powders, heat gun, acrylic blocks, stamp cleaners (I use baby wipes too). Then the rubber stamp pad to put under your paper to get a good impression (I now use a mouse pad), and o yea, storage boxes to keep all this stuff in and binders for the stamps and then you will want all the shades of blue or red or whatever ink pads. And you will also want to color in the stamps so you'll need all the copic pens. You'll probably join a Stamp Club and get more stamps coming in your mail box. Then you do what I did -- buy Theresa Collins Stampmaker Machine to make your own stamps. Can I say obsessed? lol

Awe, that's The Green Stack I have that.

NOVICE Question:

Ok, I don't quite understand embossing pens. Are they like distress ink pens? Or is it clear?

Tell me about it. I thought I would not buy many but my basket is full. And I love mounted rubber, I think they are so cool.

You mean I should be using a mouse pad?

Ok, I need to go take a class at that cool store in Marietta.