A Stamp Smoosh Tutorial.

Hello, Cathie Allan here! I am so happy to share with you a technique I originally called "stamp smooshie, smooshie" but over the years it has become known simply as "stamp smoosh". This technique was published in "Scrap & Stamp Arts", a "Scott Publication" in September of 2005. This particular technique was originally done with Clearsnap's ColorBox Fluid Chalk ink and I still use this ink extensively with it. I originally came up with the idea when I wanted to teach "direct to paper" (dtp) techniques but I knew my stamp pads were at risk when I took them to my cardstock and dragged them around. Stamp pads were never designed to do "dtp" but we as rubber stampers, decided to turn our stamp pads into applicators and drag our gorgeous stamp pads around on our projects. Results = stamp pads that were ripped from their bases and gouged on corners. I decided that instead of trying to use the stamp pad as an applicator, I would make my stamp do this "aggressive work". When executing this technique "this" is the focus. The stamp is now an applicator that we are going to smack down on our card stock and smear or "smoosh" around. It works like this.

Ink your stamp with a great, Fluid Chalk Ink color such as Sour Apple. Smack/slap your stamp onto your panel and do not lift. Smoosh or smear it around until the ink does not transfer any more. The better inked your stamp pad the more ink that you will have to "drag around". Consider buying the re-inker for each and every stamp pad you buy. Your stamp pad is your "vehicle" for applying ink and your re-inker is the "gas" for your vehicle. Repeat and if you are close to an edge do not be afraid to rub the stamp along the edge of your panel. Just remember to "think applicator".

Continue in this manner until your panel is covered in images and you have rubbed your stamp along the edges defining your panel.

The next step is to add "extra colour". Use a Colorbox stylus and a white foam tip that is designated for "dye based inks in a medium green colour". After loading the tip with colour from your stamp pad use a buffing or polishing motion to apply more of the sour apple colour. Your white foam tips and your stylus are like "a paint brush for your stamp pads". If we were to use the stamp pad to apply the colour we would be at the mercy of how "well" or "not well" the pad was inked. When I use my "stamp pad, paintbrush" (my Colorbox stylus and white foam tips) I have the option of loading it and off loading some of the colour if the stamp pad is well inked. Your foam tips will last a very long time when used properly. In one of my upcoming blogs I will give you a tutorial on how to use these amazing tools so you get the best value for your stamping dollar from them.For now, load with the Sour Apple, Fluid Chalk, colour and using a swirling motion not much bigger than the foam tip itself, apply the colour as shown. Save this foam tip and use this foam tip for medium green, dye based inks for the rest of its life. Do not try to wash the colour from the foam tip.

Add some of the Ocean Fluid Chalk Ink to your panel in the same "stamp smoosh", manner. With "stamp smoosh" you are "creating areas" of colour and you are blest with a "loose" rendition of your stamp image as you play. Your stamp pads will be "safe" and your background seems to build itself. Do not add any more colour with your "Colorbox stylus" for this layer.

Once you have finished these 3 layers, you can now ink your stamp with the Blackberry Fluid Chalk Ink and stamp "like a normal person" ..... that is, stamp the image and DO NOT smoosh. Repeat across the panel as shown in the photo.

Notice that we could have stopped after each and every layer. Each layer is a background technique in itself. In other words .... "stamp smoosh" to your hearts content ... a little ... a lot .... just stamp and smoosh it about.

I kept the card simple by simply adding a custom coloured ribbon that began as a white ribbon. I applied the Sour Apple and Ocean Fluid Chalk colours with my Colorbox stylus and white foam tips (to preserve my stamp pads) and I ironed with a hot dry iron while the ribbon was sandwiched between two pieces of clean newsprint. I rarely purchased "coloured ribbon" for with my stamp pads and my iron I can have any colour of ribbon I desire.

Thank you Clearsnap for "Fluid Chalk" the amazing "blend of ink" stamp pad that combines dye and pigment inks to create a "multi-surface" ink that allows us to move from surface to surface!

The solid stamp that I choose to use for this layout comes from "Frogs, Whiskers Ink". This lovely, new solid image has a matching "colouring book" style, image. I stamped this "colouring book" or "open" style image, coloured it with my markers and after cutting it out I added it to my card. I also added a die cut from Sizzix that I altered with the sour apple, Fluid Chalk too. This lovely card will become a birthday card or it could be an anniversary card or it could simply be a lovely note card. By "not adding" a text image to this card I can use it at any time for just about any occasion. Enjoy.

--Cathie Allan