Mop up Hearts

Mop up Hearts

Hi there

Thanks for popping in. Saturday’s blog a new technique, right? New to who? Towittawoo? Quite by chance I came up with a couple of very cool bleeding heart tricks, which are really excellent as backgrounds, so I want to share with you. It’s using our Clarity Heart Backdrop Stamp, the large one.

First combo-trick.

Let’s use Artistry Ink pads for this one. We carry a good selection of the colours; I think they work brilliantly dry AND wet.

  • Cover the heart backdrop stamp with 3 or 4 colours
  • Dab the inky stamp with a make-up sponge to blend the colours
  • Spritz THE STAMP lightly with water
  • Stamp onto our Clarity Stencil card.

Now let’s compare with tiny variation.

  • Again, cover the heart backdrop stamp with 3 or 4 colours
  • Again, dab the inky stamp with a make-up sponge to blend the colours
  • This time, Spritz THE CLARITY STECNIL CARD lightly with water instead of the stamp
  • Stamp onto the wet Clarity Stencil card.

Cor.

Next trick.

Let’s use Distress Oxide Ink pads for this one. You could use the Artistry too – it just doesn’t spread as far when wet. Or does it?

  • Dab Ground Espresso around the edge of the large Heart
  • Blend the ink out around the stamp edge with a make-up sponge.
  • Using a Black Soot Distress Oxide, go round again, and repeat the blending trick with a sponge.
  • Stamp the heart onto a piece of card . It will be lovely, but it’s not what we’re looking for. That’s the first load of the ink. We want the second, the blotted ink.
  • Spritz the STAMP generously with water.
  • If the watery ink floods into the gutter around the heart stamp, run a blending nib around the rebate, to soak up the excess.
  • Lay the card down on the wet stamp instead of flipping the stamp over onto the card.
  • Pull your print.

Double Cor. Now THAT’s a cool background. I love the neutral browns and greys, the rivers and veins that have occurred. And no two hearts will EVER be the same.

I added Mel’s Owls….

…and a flash of pencil colour.

I think perhaps more colour and a drop shadow would be good too. But it’s the heart I want to show you, the Mop up heart.

Those dark and neutral colours, those browns and beiges, they really are firm favourites of mine. Pencils and ink pads alike. If I had to pick 5 Distress oxides with that in mind, this would be my choice:

Mind you. Now I look at them, I really like these two too!

Yep. The earthy neutrals have it. I have been working on a new line of fresh out of the oven Lino-cut stamps today, and these tones are magic. So perfect for that Lino cut look.

I shall show you the new Lino cut stamps on Wednesday, when we get together for our Facebook LIVE Moment of Clarity Craftalong at 7pm. Remember? We are having another arty craft session using those beautiful butterfly stamps on Parchment.

Until tomorrow xx

Love and hugs

Barb xxx

11 thoughts on “Mop up Hearts

  1. Ooh these look great I haven’t got the hearts but I’ll have a go on the squares and circles x looking forward to seeing the lino prints hugs julie xxx

  2. Received the hearts and ovals today and have just finished colouring some of the feathered friends so guess what I will be doing tomorrow.
    Tipping down with rain all day, good for the garden though.
    Have a good weekend.
    🍒

  3. Hi Barbara your makes are gorgeous. I love the backgrounds they are fab. I love the stamps too. Have a great evening. Take care. Hugs Jackie

  4. love this effect. Will definitely be giving it a try. Looking forward to Wednesday eve – will be ready to craft-along with you xx

  5. Love the background stamps & the new ones are on their way along with a few other vital items !!
    Forgot to put todays shows on to record in my rush to get out this morning so will have to watch on rewind when I have finished this.

  6. Hi Barb, lovely ideas using the backdrop stamps, need to try order the ovals and hearts, had a go with the others yesterday making some backgrounds, how did I ever live without them. Take care and stay safe everyone. Bx

  7. Great technique and will have a go one day.
    Have a piecefull weekend and see you in the Shac!
    Lots of love, Trijntje Huppel

  8. This was my favourite piece of artwork from your shows. Thank you for sharing how you did it! X

Leave a Reply to JACKIE TRINDER Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *