Stamparatus Tool

 I've had a request for how to use the Stampin' Up!  - Stamparatus. I bought it to use instead of buying many sizes of clear blocks and for use with  any large stamp.  (Click on all the highlighted words to go to my current online store.)

There are three purposes I use it for: 

• to line up your stamp perfectly to re-stamp an image that needs more ink. Otherwise its near impossible to realign your stamp to print it again in the same spot.
• to make sure your stamped image is placed directly where you want it when producing multiple cards that are the same. 
• to evenly space the same image down the page by moving the door with each print.
• to use 4 different stamps with the 2 - 2 sided doors, without removing the stamps and attaching to a different block and realigning each time.

Stampin' Up! also has provided videos for learning each of their products so watch  all about the Stamparatus here from 2017 or here from 2020 which is more updated, both on YouTube.

Note that I refer to the movable pieces as "doors" and in the video, they are "plates."

Here are some photos from my Stamparatus for your review. For this explanation I only have one door attached, and this door includes many spots of mini glue dots or here for cling adhesive used to hold on the stamps that are not as sticky as they once were, so I apologize for that.

The grid shown is removable. It is used with the photopolymer (clear) stamps since they do not have the cushion that the cling stamps do. It is also easy to clean. 

This photo shows how the doors which attach on 2 sides are removable for moving to the next slot an inch apart. You'd want to do this instead of moving your stamp and if your design included one word that you wanted to print evenly, down the side of your page at evenly spaced intervals.

First use the very strong magnets to anchor your paper, making sure not to let them touch. Reports have been given that they crack if this happens although I have not experienced this. You may also choose to wrap each magnet with masking or washi tape to hang on to it. Place your stamp face down where you want it to print then press the door down on top of it so it clings and sticks as shown.

Next, ink up your stamp thoroughly then return the door so the stamp pressed down onto your paper. I prefer to use the  liquid re-inker instead of the larger ink pad, using the spot ink pad.The hardest part is next where you must use a great deal of pressure with your fingers or fist or heal of your hand to imprint your image. There is a tool you can make yourself to accomplish this even pressure. (use a finial or similar wood shape that fits good into the palm of your hand. It is called a "Chuckie Tool" and was made by Gina K's friend Chuckie to help her with arthritic hands.

Pull back the door being careful to release the stamp from the paper without it moving. I've found it does raise up when the stamp is new and very sticky. If you position the paper in the corner, even without a magnet it should be easy to line up. Check to see if it needs re-stamping. And if so, re-ink your image and stamp as many times as needed to get the look you want.

After you stamp one image, make a mask with that stamp by stamping it on a Sticky Note and reuse it over and over to block a portion of the image from double stamping where you don't want it to overlap. Keep it in the stamp set case.

Keep moving your stamp or the door till you have the images where you want them.

I used the mask on the flower when I added the leaves. I wasn't as happy with these images as I thought they were too dark. So I added metallic gold embossing powder to set them apart. 

These ink colors are Merry Merlot and Blushing Bride with Old Olive for the leaves. I highlighted a few spots with the Rich Razzleberry Blends marker and Daffodil Yellow Blends Marker for the centers.

I made two prints with each color duo. The second prints are on Designer Series Paper  (Harvest Meadow) with Pumpkin Pie and Polished Pink inks with Old Olive leaves on one and Evening Evergreen on the second for a variation in cardstock. The stamp set is Delicate Dahlias from the Sale A Bration brochure which does expire Sept 30, 2021.

In working with this two step stamp set,  I have to admit that I like the image of the less detailed stamp better, at least for images on printed paper. 

Now that they're done, it will be fun choosing the layers and base card colors, sentiments, and embellishments because Stampin' Up! products are all color coordinated!

So which colors and shades do you like?  I'd like to try this Delicate Dahlia in blue.  Please post a comment with your own project using this or similar stamp.

Thanks for stopping by!  Be Blessed! sb

Tone on Tone Cards - No Ink or One Color

Card Idea #1: Tone on Tone with Paper - No Ink

 

Are you new to card making?  Here's some basic measurements and folds to create the card base. Start with Basic White cardstock for the card. With one 8 1/2" x 11" piece, cut it in half at the 5 1/2 " measurement.  You will have two pieces.  For this card, we'll use one for the card base and one to cut in two for layers.

Scoring is done by making an indentation in the paper with a "scoring blade" as shown here on the paper trimmer, or with a scoring tool. Both tools put an even line, an indentation, to be used for a fold. 

 

Now that you've scored your card, and folded it in half, you have the standard card size used in the United States and is referred to an an A2.  Here it is shown with the fold on the top and below, it is shown with the fold on the left.  You'll use the measurements of 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" (convert to metric here) over and over.  Its good to know them, as you add layers, since the layers can be cut 1/16th of an inch or 1/8 of an inch smaller, which leaves a small frame around the edge.  Look at the first card on the top of this post. You can see the small Cinnamon Cider color frame around the white.

All white cards - cardstock and embellishments - are beautiful for any occasion or holiday. Beginner card makers can design and assemble cards without purchasing many cardstock colors or inks. This card uses a white layer with the Timeworn Type 3D embossing folder on Basic White Cardstock, cut a fraction smaller than the A2 card size.

The Timeworn Type 3D embossing folder and Detailed Pumpkin Dies are available August 3, 2021, in the July-December 2021 Mini Catalog. (If purchased during August or September 2021, a $50 purchase before tax and shipping will qualify for free stamp sets or Designer Series Paper, Sale A Bration.)

Cut a vine, leaf or flower to build the design on the front.   Here I added a pumpkin.

Or put a bird in the vine,

Or move the vine to the right side and add a dragonfly.

By trimming the embossed white layer by 1/16 or 1/8 inch, you could add a black layer, although it would look beautiful without. You're the artist!

Card Idea #2: Tone on Tone with ink.

Using the same cardstock and ink colors, here Highland Heather Cardstock as the layer, and Highland Heather Ink, I stamped with the August/September 2021 Sale A Bration stamp set "Delicate Dahlias."

To add dimension to this card I stamped the Dahlia on vellum. Taking the stylus end on the Take a Pick Tool, I traced each petal on the reverse side.  The stamped image is visible through the vellum. This technique works best when outlining on the vellum that is placed on a soft or cushioned mat. 

The vellum Dahlia could be added as another layer of the flower to the design.

As another option for tone on tone with ink, you could stamp with Versa Mark ink.  This is a watermark, clear ink, and will dry clear, so it will look the same color as the cardstock.

As noted on the photo, I used Stampin' Blends Alcohol Makers for the centers of the flowers including the vellum Dahlia, and Wink of Stella glitter brush, to highlight the centers.

 As shown below, I also used clear embossing powder and heat embossed the leaves. With the 2021-2023 Stampin' Write (water based) markers, light green, and the Stampin' Blends, Old Olive, I shaded the leaves.  Using the clear embossing powder adds dimension to the leave. See its shine.

Add the vellum Dahlia to the card with adhesive glue only in the center so the edges pop up. You can also curl the edges up or down with your bone folder.

After using both the ink on the same color cardstock, and the Versamark on colored cardstock, I think I prefer the look of the Versamark.

Make sure to click on the green highlighted words - they are the direct links to the Stampin' Products! I used for these cards.

Post your questions or photos of your versions of the cards in the comments or send me a message. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Be Blessed!  sb