Tips on Using a Layering Rose Stamp

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I am very vocal in saying I struggle with stamp layering. My last venture with layering stamps was March, when I used watercolor markers to add pigment to the stamp layers (Watercolor Pine Tree Christmas Tag). Unfortunately, this technique does not work with the flower stamps (Altenew Vintage Rose) I used on this card.

One of the reasons why I wanted to participate in the AECP (Altenew Educator Certification Program) is to learn how to stamp layer. Two of the classes in the program are on stamp layering. It looks easy to do for some crafters but for me, it is very challenging. You have no clue my frustrations with the thought of not being able to complete the program because I failed the layering part of the course. But with my never dying persistence, I was able to make it.

If you struggle with stamp layering, here are my own tips that will hopefully help and make it work for you. You might already know and even practice some of these tips.

• Watch videos before starting your project. Learn from other crafters. Even if I have used this stamp before, I forget the points where to line up the layers. Write notes. I stamped the solid layer on a scrap paper, and drew arrows on where I should line up the succeeding layers based on the tutorials I watched.
• Altenew comes with ink combos that makes stamp layering easy but if you are like me, who does not want to add more inks to his/her current ink stash, build your own combos using your ink swatch as a guide. Practice the layers. Don't forget to write the colors down for future reference. Better yet, save a layered stamped image with the color combo written down next to it. Keep this inside the sleeve of the stamp set. 
• Sometimes it is necessary to use second generation stamping or double stamping a layer to achieve the layered look if you don't have a lot of inks.
• The type of paper you use for stamping matters. Some paper absorb the ink really well while some does not. Some paper takes time to absorb dye inks. It is best to heat set in between layers when using this kind of paper to achieve the layered look. For me, Neenah Solar white and Hammermill have good ink absorption properties. 
• Have one stamp block for each layer. It makes the stamping easy. I prefer circular stamp blocks for stamp layering because I tend to rotate my stamp block just to get the right alignment. Although square blocks are fine, if you have finger issues like me, the circular block is more friendly to my fingers. 
• Have a scrubber pad handy to clean your stamp especially if you are changing colors. This will prevent color contamination when stamping in between colors. A stamp shammy should also work.
• Unfortunately, with stamp layering, you have to be on your feet while crafting. You have to check the layering stamp points and the edges to make sure it will be aligned. Your head literally goes over the stamped image. If something is askew on that view, trust yourself that the layer will not be stamped right.
• Stamp multiples. Stamp layering is a lot of work, so might as well have extras. You might reject some of the stamped images. You might make mistakes along the way. The stamped images does not end up alike regardless if you used the same dye inks. The extras always come in handy. Keep the extras in a baggy & place it inside the stamp set sleeve.
• Sometimes, you might have to reverse the order of stamping, wherein the solid stamp is not the firs one stamped. There is really no set rules in stamp layering. Do it according to how you end up with better results. I reversed layer 1 with layer 2 when I was working on the gray flower. I had a hard time aligning the second layer with the very faint first layer since I used second generation stamping on the first layer. Stamping layer two with the more vibrant ink allowed me to align the first layer using the stamp points. 

I won't go into details on how I created this card since I really want the focus to be on the technique of layered stamping.

Having the coordinating die is also a plus. It does not only cut the time off fussy cutting the image. After all, you have spent a lot of time doing the stamp layering part. The coordinating dies can also be used to build dimension for the die cuts. Not to forget, it is a good way to use scraps, too. The red and gray roses are raised with an extra piece of die cut. The pink rose, on the other hand, has two additional die cuts adhered to its back. I added a third, cutting it in half to raise the top part of the pink rose only since the pink rose overlaps the red rose. 

Don't forget to zhuzh some of the leaves for more added dimension. 

The sentiments are from Altenew Label Love and Super Script stamp sets.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.