WOYWW 61: A tutorial of sorts

I tried to get to everyone last week, but sadly didn't make the last few on the list. It's the first week in awhile that has happened. My deep apologies. I will try to get to everyone this week, since it's too hot to go anywhere.

Take heed about today's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday post.

Remember a few eons ago (actually WOYWW 51) when I tried my hand at reverse stamping? After doing an extensive internet search, I found a company that sells reverse stamp blocks. Here is what they say:

Images stamped from the reverse stamps are mirror images of the original. Also they will be lighter and less sharply defined than a first stamping.

There was no photo available. Their web site is www.stampin.com. Their cost: Reverse Image Rubber - 6" x 6" @ $12.95. If you recall, I paid $4.95 for two sheets of the same size gasket rubber.

Next, I found this at http://www.scrapjazz.com

1. Stamp your image onto your cardstock or other paper. Use a freshly inked pad, or one that is more wet. (NOTE: Several of you also suggested this)
   
2. Ink the image again and stamp onto a transparency or wax paper. Special stamps are also available for this technique, from companies such as Rubber Stampede. These stamps are basically a flat sheet of rubber. (NOTE: I got the exact thing I needed, which was the rubber gasket material)
3. Use an image positioner to stamp the image on your card (I had to improvise, not being sure what a stamp positioner was).
4. While the ink is still wet, flip the paper and use it to stamp your mirror image. Rub slowly with your fingertips, or use a brayer to transfer the ink, being careful not to shift the paper. This image will be slightly faded and not as crisp an image as the original. If the reverse image is too much lighter for your design, stamp your reverse image first and without re-inking, stamp your image onto cardstock. With this method, both images are second generation and they match more closely. (NOTE: I like the idea of starting with both images being second generation stampings as was suggested)
   
5. Enhance the image with color ink, chalk or other medium.

So here I am once again trying my luck at reverse stamping.

Why today? Because I though all you WOYWW participants might want to see what I learned. I really DID listen to you and read all your thoughtful comments.

Supplies clockwise from upper left:
Rubber stamps
Gasket material
Mouse pad
T-square to be used as image positioner
Sheet of glass or plexiglass
Pigment ink
Substrate (I used cardstock)
Sharpie
Not shown: Packing tape and eraser


Before I begin, I just want to say, I remember MANY of you suggested using a brayer. I have one, but it really doesn't turn properly and I seem to be brayer challenged. So no brayer will be harmed used in this post.

I began with the eraser which I somehow cropped out of the above photo.

I erased and erased as some of you suggested. After cleaning the eraser pieces away,

I added packing tape (Anne aka Liverpool Lou provided the hint and called it sellotape) to further take some of the shine and newness off the rubber.

Next I marked the outline of the stamp because I figured I'd need it for positioning.

I'm ready to stamp.

Gold juicy ink was added to my favorite bird stamp, since some of you (Betty the Baglady and Hazel [didos]) suggested using pigment ink.

I used my mouse pad to cushion the stamp, a tip suggested by Julia.

I added the reverse stamped image to the cardstock

then positioned my T-square over the paper. I even did a "first generation" off-stamping, as Betty suggested before I positioned the stamp over its reverse image.

Unfortunately, the tails were longer than the feet. (NOTE TO SELF: make sure you use a stamp that actually makes sense to reverse)

Yep, I got a reverse stamped image, but the gold doesn't show up well on the page. I've tried it twice, learned something both times, and had fun, but no CIGAR. And if I'm not careful Julia, keeper of the links and host to this madness is going to want Mr. D's easel back and kick me out of WOYWW. So no more tutorials (or even experiments) on stamping. You WOYWW gals are far too good and I'm still not a stamper!

Today I have a web site that doesn't belong to any WOYWWer, although I already have a WOYWWer chosen for next week. I did this because some of you who visit my blog don't do the WOYWW blog hop. However, in keeping with the spirit of my European friends, I have chosen Amelia Critchlow, who is from London (in the UK). Her web gallery has much to offer, especially if you are into paper collages, or hand stitching and collage on fabric. I have no idea how well known she is in the UK, so maybe some of my UK friends will let me know. I sincerely hope you like my blog choice, Amelia Critchlow, today.