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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Sentiments of the Season Blog Hop- Tutorial and Giveaway

Welcome to the Quietfire Sentiments of the Season Blog Hop! We’re celebrating the season with projects using our favorite Quietfire sentiment stamps and dies. We have some great ideas to share with you!
We’re giving away a prize on each of the Sentiments of the Season blog posts. The posts will be on Designers’ personal blogs and one on Quietfire Creations. All you have to do is leave a comment on the Sentiments of the Season blog posts and you will be entered for a chance to win a Quietfire stamp or die from that blog. Each designer will randomly choose the winner from their comments.

Here is our schedule: 
Day 1- Monday November 23 : Teresa and Yogi
Day 2 -Tuesday November 24KathyJo and Judi Kauffman
Day 3 - Wednesday November 25Wanda and Yvonne
Day 4 - Thursday November 26Robyn and Selma
Day 5 - Friday November 27Diana and Suzanne

The deadline for leaving comments is Sunday November 29, 2015 at midnight PST. Winners will be posted shortly afterwards here on Quietfire Creations. Good luck and have fun!
http://www.quietfiredesign.ca/Quietfire-Dies-from-Elizabeth-Craft/
For the Blog Hop I thought I would share some new techniques for your dies. As many of you know, I am a huge die junkie. Dies are so fun to use and sometimes I spend hours just running dies through my machine to try out new materials or layouts.

Today I want to share die techniques that do not involve embossing or cutting, but how to use your dies as stamps. Quietfire dies are so beautiful…why limit them to only die cutting and embossing? This post is a long one so grab a cup of tea and enjoy!

Before we start:
* Make sure your die is clean and all paper tidbits are removed from the die.
* It is best to work with thinner, flexible papers- card board and heavy weight paper (such as 110lb) may be too heavy. Textured surfaces should be avoided. When in doubt, test it out.
* Place your material on a flexible stamping mat. Stamps are flexible to help with stamping- dies are stiff and need flex under the paper.
* Remember to clean your die after stamping. You don’t want to ruin future die cut items by covering them with ink.
* Although dies can be “stamped”, you will not have lovely fine details like you would from an actual stamp. Keep that in mind when designing your project.

Die stamp setup:
You do not want your die permanently attached to a stamping block so only use a small amount of removable tape on the back of your die. Here was my initial setup:
I placed my die on a block with removable tack tape. My whole block was covered with the tape so it was removable…but was very tricky to get off one time. I do not recommend using this setup if your block is super tacky.

Just to re-iterate: You want to avoid bending your die so limit the amount of removable tape used. A small amount of removable tape will make the removal process easier and will protect your die.

Die Stamping- Vellum:
Just like with a stamp, Archival Ink works well on vellum. Apply the Archival Ink onto the die stamp setup. Test the image on a scrap piece of paper. You may want to test a few times to figure out your pressure required. After stamping on the vellum you may notice some ink transferred in addition to your die lines. Use a Q-tip and some stamp cleaner solution on the vellum to remove the stray ink. Dry with a heat gun.
You could just leave the image as is but I chose to emboss on the back side of the vellum. It created a nice embossed image with a black outline.
Die stamping- Chalkboard:
The Quietfire dies work perfectly for your chalkboard paper project. After cleaning the die, heavily apply Versamark. Stamp the die on black paper and heat emboss using white embossing powder. The letters on my example were scribbled in with Sakura’s Souffle gel pens:
I really liked the way the chalkboard style turned out. The partially filled in letters look very cool against the black background. (Please note that if you are looking for stamps in the same style, check out Quietfire’s Fill 'er-up series.)
A peek at the inside- more of the patterned papers and "Merry Christmas" Quietfire stamped sentiment.
Die Stamping- Watercolor:
The chalkboard style was awesome but watercoloring turned out to be my favorite style for die stamping. After playing for some time with the watercolor technique, I decided to mix up my stamping. For the below card I created a watercolor background using Barn Door, applied a wee bit of water in the center (to lighten the watercolor) and then heat dried. Next I applied Archival Ink in Coffee onto the die, stamped and then heat dried. Merry Christmas was stamped over the Believe using Jet Black Archival Ink and heat dried. Note that I stamped the Believe and Merry Christmas over the lighter colored red area for emphasis. On a craft mat, mix Barn Door, Vintage Photo and water. Apply the watercolor mix inside the Believe letters.
The seam binding was dyed using the leftover ink from mixture above. My hands were an inky mess at this point but I did not care because I having a blast playing in the craft room!
I do hope you liked the die stamping exploration…I know I enjoyed playing with the dies! If you do make a project using the above techniques, please link back to this post. I will make sure to leave some love on your blog, too. Talking about leaving love, don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a new stamp or die from Quietfire Design. Your next stop on this hop is the ever so talented Judi Kauffman.

Thanks for stopping by! Good luck!
Big Crafty Hugs,
Kathy Jo

The cards above are entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday, Christmas
613 Avenue Create, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG

84 comments:

  1. A fantastic post Kathy Jo with some wonderful tips. Have never used my dies for stamping but the results are fabulous so I might have to try it sometime!! Your cards are gorgeous!!

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  2. WOW wow WOW
    I confess that I am a DIE ADDICT and think that the techniques you have shared today are EXCITING, I look forward to getting inky fingers with my dies and think it's awesome to have ANOTHER reason to get more dies to feed my addiction :)
    ALL of your cards are BEAUTIFUL and while I LOVE the vellum and the chalkboard cards, I ADORE your watercolour card!!!
    THANK YOU for sharing your CREATIVE and INKY INSPIRATION Kathy Jo!!!

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  3. Fabulous techniques!! I have never tried any of them before. I really love the effects you got. That chalkboard look is amaaaaaazing!!! Watercolor is always a fave, too, and that red card is magnificent.
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  4. These are awesome Kathy Jo. Thanks for the inspiration - another exciting way to use those dies! I love that you can make them whatever color you want, rather than just the five colors of the ink transfer sheets. The chalkboard one is especially cool with this technique.

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  5. Thanks for sharing these great techniques, amazing what you can do with dies. I think the red one is my fav but the chalkboard look is really nice also. Cheers and have a great day!

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  6. Fabulous post, Kathy Jo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  7. wow, how creative. I love all the different ways that you used the die. wonderful.

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  8. Thanks for sharing these great tips Kathy!!! I really love these awesome techniques and the way you described beautifully step by step! The chalkboard and distressed look is fabulous!

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  9. What a cool technique and the die you have used is so beautiful
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia

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  10. That looks really fantastic! Thank you for the inspiration and the ideas!

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  11. nice techniques. glad you had fun BIG GRIN. Have a great day

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  12. Wow! Great. Idea, wonderful dies! Anxious to try this technique

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  13. This is so beautiful... i love messy kind of projects :) Thanks for sharing!

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  14. Wow both cards are beautiful and what a cool tech. even though it's messy I love it .

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  15. Absolutely Beautiful!!! Awesome technique! TFS
    Have a blessed day,
    Migdalia
    *Crafting With Creative M*

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  16. Replies
    1. Hi Marianne! Thanks for leaving the comment on my blog.
      Unfortunately I do not have any videos yet. But Perhaps the third technique (stamping and watercolors) may require one. Thank you for planting the seed. :)
      Good luck on the draw!

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  17. I will have to try that. Sizzix also has a product (similar to using carbon paper) that you can use & roll the die with the sheet of transfer paper through the Big Shot to get the same result. I found your blog through FB Stambing Enablers group. Thanks for sharing such great cards.

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  18. I really enjoyed reading this, great tips and technique. TFS! Your cards are both beautiful!

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  19. Isn't it fun to get messy and know it's for a good cause.
    I love the different cards.
    The chalkboard card is so pretty - have to remember that idea.
    The red with the green background is so pretty.
    thanks for sharing some wonderful cards.

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  20. Very cool idea...gonna try this one! Beautiful card!

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  21. Oh my, what amazing techniques! Never would think of this myself. Sigh. I especially am drawn to the vellum. Will give it a go for sure. A question about the watercolor technique. You said you filled in the die with the blended inks. Doesn't it move & leak when you turn it over to stamp? Having difficulty picturing it without spots all over! Lol Thank you, Kathy Jo.

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  22. What an awesome technique this is!! I never would have thought to stamp with my dies this way!! Your cards all look amazing!! Thanks for the inspiration my friend!! Have a great day :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  23. WOW! A new way to use dies! These were great great tutorials. TFS

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  24. I'm amazed! Beautiful cards and such a fantastic technique! I'm wowed! TFS!

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  25. Wow...sooo many different uses for these amazing dies! Love your tutorial. Beautiful samples. Thanks for the inspiration! :)

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  26. Awesome tutorial Kathy Jo. I really love the watercolor card, although they are all beautiful! Thanks for the wonderful inspiration.

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  27. Beautiful card. Thanks so much for sharing the technique!

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  28. Loved your blog with all those fun and wonderful tips and ideas. The cards are each so unique and lovely. What a great way to make your dies even more versatile. Great ideas. Thanks for sharing the fun

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  29. I do believe Kathy, that this is a great card. :)

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  30. Wow, great technique! Never would have thought of that!

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  31. What great ideas to use the dies for stamping -- really like the sample with vellum.

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  32. Oh my gosh, these are fabulous! You are sooooooo creative!

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  33. Wowza!!! Now I need time to play with my dies as stamps!!! I need more hours in the day, but for sure am going to pass this on to all my local stamping friends who have dies :)

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  34. wonderful cards and I'll have to go back and reread your tips and techs. sounds really interesting!

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  35. Beautiful cards,
    thanks for the great tips!

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  36. Dies as stamps...what a great idea! Love your projects!

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  37. Beautiful card- very interesting technique with the die!!!! Am loving the sentiment done in that font!!!!

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  38. Great cards and tutorials Kathy Jo!

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  39. Wonderful card!! I've never thought of using my dies as stamps, and, I really like the effect!

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  40. Gosh I learnt so much with your post. Cant wait to try these techniques. Many thanks.

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  41. Beautiful! You always inspire! :) Thanks for the tutorials! Hope you are enjoying this beautiful evening...so nice and bright out there! :)

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  42. Fun techniques, I must try with my new dies!

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  43. Terrific technique!
    Love learning different
    ways to use the dies.
    Carla from Utah

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  44. Awesome things! Thanks for posting. It inspired me on creating some Holiday crafting cards.

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  45. How innovative! I would never have thought of using the dies as stamps. The water color card is awesome! Definitely ideas I will try in the future! l Thanks!

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  46. Found this link via Shona E, and this is fascinating. What awesome techniques, enjoyed immensely, as I am a die junkie too! Each card is just beautiful, and aren't you so clever to figure out how to do these cool looks. TFS & Happy Thanksgiving.

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  47. Wow!! This card is great. Don't you just love the word dies they make it so easy.
    Rene from OZ xo

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  48. Love all the ways you used the die for stamping. You are so very clever!

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  49. This explains why your hands were red...
    Your Hubby

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  50. Thanks for these great new ways to use dies.

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  51. Thanks for sharing the techniques.
    Nico

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  52. Thank you for sharing these techniques. I am excited to give it a try.

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  53. Thank you for sharing these techniques. I am excited to give it a try.

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  54. Thanks for all the tips on how to use the dies. I have a few of the one word dies so will be playing soon. The cards were gorgeous

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  55. Thanks for all the tips on how to use the dies. I have a few of the one word dies so will be playing soon. The cards were gorgeous

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  56. Love what you did with stamping with the die. Thanks for the instructions. I have not tried this technique before, but you have inspired me to try it. I, too, enjoy inky fingers. It generally means I am having a great time "playing".

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  57. Awesome techniques and cards; thanks for sharing

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  58. I really like the red & green in your card.

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  59. A blog comment added by Carmelita Cechetto-Shea. She dropped me a line commenting on the post but could not leave a comment. This one is entered by me for her. :)

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  60. Thanks for the ideas for these dies!

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  61. Gorgeous card. Love the technique.

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  62. Wonderful!! Looks like you had a blast, too!

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  63. Thanks for the detailed directions for each of you experiments! Isn't it nice to have time to play, with such fantastic results?

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  64. This is an awesome technique. thanks for sharing.

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  65. I love the watercoloring. Thanks for sharing.

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  66. Beautiful cards. Thanks for all the techniques!

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  67. Wow! Thanks for the tips and techniques. Thanks!

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  68. Love seeing new techniques. Awesome card. TFS.
    Mstgane
    Ann Robbins

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  69. how gorgeous! Wow! Thanks so much for sharing this technique.

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  70. What fun! Inky fingers make me a happy girl, too! Love the layering on this...the outcome is sophisticated...very nice! Thanks, Kathy Jo.

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  72. Super fun techniques, Kathy Jo! Can't wait to try them.

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Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment...I really appreciate it!
Have a happy crafty day!

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