Traitorous Thoughts!
I love the feel, the look, the ease of a wood mounted stamp. Yet, I hear the siren song of . . .
ACRYLICS!
At first I danced a bit with acrylics, doing the polka (!!) with Papertreyink's first set -- Paper Tray -- a set of mainly words and dots. Once I figured out that these small stamps worked better with classic dye ink rather than juicier pigment ink (for me), I was intrigued. They are so very easy to put just where I want them on a page.
And then,
I met Rhonna Farrer's Clear Stamps by Autumn Leaves! It's official! It's love!
I bought the Botanicals set with my 40% off coupon at AC Moore's the other day. I got a beautiful set of 10 good size stamps for less than $10!!! But more importantly, for the first time I was able to make a background with individual stamps and have the layout of the stamps work -- everything stamped in exactly the right spot the first time. Pigment, dye ink, didn't matter. It was love at first sight.
I'm thinking of divorcing my wood stamps and going acrylic. I feel awful, like a traitor, especially since I've sold off 5 sets to help pay for my affair with acrylic.
Best not to make rash decisions! There's nothing wrong with having both, is there???
How I made this card: The big flower (Rhonna Farrer) stamped with Eggplant Craft ink from SU onto shimmery white paper. Flourish (Rhonna Farrer) stamped with Old Olive Classic ink; little pink flowers are from a portion of a stamp from Stampin Up's Carte Postale colored in with SU's Pixie Pink marker. I then stamped the flower again onto Eggplant cardstock with White Memories ink. The faux pink eyelets are stamped little pink dots from Papertreyink's Paper Tray set.
Other supplies used: Old Olive and Pixie Pink (SU) cardstock; SU Word Window Punch; charm from AC Moore's (says follow your dream); Narrow pink organdy ribbon from SU sponged with Pixie Pink classic ink; SU's Warm Words.
By the way, I'm going to remake this card later this weekend and you'll be seeing version 2.
*********
To answer a question from Jackie (Hi, Jackie!!), I don't think I've tested out white inks and posted the results. I've thought about it though! I did try out different white cardstocks and that may be what you are remembering. The next time I can make space on my stamping table, I think I will try out some different white inks and post the results.
It is very nice!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great card! I totally understand your new love affair with acrylics, I feel the same way and wish more companies would offer their wood mounted ones in clear as well. I do love the wood mounts, though. The acrylics work well chalk inks, too....give them a try. And in case you haven't heard - Michaels has little sets of clear stamps in the dollar bin and they are pretty good (yes, I have them all).
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for answering my question, at least I am not as crazy as I thought. I know I saw it somewhere though. Hmmmm...
Great card...I think you can love both...I do!
ReplyDeleteJoan, no need to get rid of the rubber on wood, just get rid of the wood. Go unmounted! There's a thread on SCS about in under General Stamping. I recently did mine because I was running out of space. You can fit the sets in cd jewel cases (the regular ones, not the slim ones), they then take up 1/3 the space. Try it, you'll like it. They work much like the acrylics.
ReplyDeleteThe card is beautiful.
I have to say that I am being pulled to the acrylics as well. It's so nice to be able to see where you are stamping. The only ones I have are my Bellas but I may be spending some cash and buying some more soon. Great card, btw.
ReplyDeleteGreat Card! I think I will always remain an SU girl, but I love watching what you and the other talented SCS stampers do with these.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo, Joan! Come join me on {The Dark Side}! I do have some acrylics that squish too much; I'm having to learn to stamp gently with that set (a gorgoeus CTMH word set); but overall, I have so loved being able to see what I'm stamping. I read that Autumn Leaves acrylics are thin and tear easily, but would you say that you don't agree? Because if *you* like them, I can see some swirls in my future. . .
ReplyDeleteHi Joan!
ReplyDeleteI'm a die-hard wood fan - like the feel, love "good rubber," etc. However, I have also found some great images in "clear" - whether they are made from acrylic or polymer or whatever. But I'm still not sold on those - I have some that have yellowed when NOT exposed to light - from a well-known company. I find some of them extremely sticky and difficult to get off their carrier sheet. I have to agree with you about creating a background, however. I also have a hard time looking through the clear blocks - to me everything I see is distorted, like looking through a fishbowl. Having said all that - I don't think you're a traitor and I think it's perfectly OK to have a love affair with both types of stamps - just depends on what images you can find in what "format!"
I know what you mean about feeling like a traitor. I mean, here I am, I'm supposed to sell the stuff, but I keep wanting more and more clears! I love them, and can't get enough. I love these for the exact reasons you described here.
ReplyDeleteLove this card too, the colours really pop!
That's one fabulous card! I keep eyeing those stamps and I've resisted so far but probably not for much longer!
ReplyDelete~Angie
Ah,Joan! I totally feel your "pain".
ReplyDeleteI almost feel like I am cheating when I'm considering unmounting all my wood and buying clear stamps. Any new sets I buy from SU will be left unmounted. I might not ever get around to unmounting all my sets, but I really like the space saving and the ease of seeing where I'm stamping. What's not to love with all the great new stuff coming out!
Your card is so pretty. I don't know how to do a wolf whistle on line but I would if I could! :0)
I love this card....when I first saw it I thought grapes, probably only because of the colors you used....It is an awesome awesome flower sort of thing! I love it.
ReplyDeleteI cannot seem to part with wood. CTMH went totally acrylic when I quit selling it and it made my decision to quit so easy...I just can't get used to them although I do think it is pretty neat that you can see through to where you are stamping...
No, nothing wrong with both. I will always probably have both, no way would I convert over to no wood like so many people are doing...But that is just me.....