Playing with digital stamps

Today I am sharing my last project as a member of the Kindred Stamps design team, the awesome ladies at Kindred Stamps set up a fun collaboration with the Therm-O-web to send off the designers. I have had a blast designing for Kindred Stamps, I am a huge fan of their stamps and will continue creating new project to share. My craft room creation today is a custom t-shirt featuring the Ocean Royalty add on digital stamp.

I have spent the last week or so playing in my craft room with some new to me Therm-O-Web products, my favorite of them all is the Heat-n-Bond inkjet transfer sheets. I experimented a lot with these sheet and want to share what I’ve learned.

Digi stamps work prefect with these sheets because you can print them right onto the transfer sheets and they can be added to any fabric project like t-shirts, tote bags, backpacks, and quilts. something really amazing is you can color on them with your markers. I tested several types Copic, Zig, Tombow and Crayola super tips. The softer the nib the better the results; I had the best luck with my Zig clean color real brush pens.

Coloring Tips:

To get the best blend use a two color blend and utilize the tip to tip method, where you pick up a bit of the darker color with the lighter maker.

Use a light hand so you don’t scratch up the coating on the paper with the tip of your maker.

To get a smooth finish use long even strokes all in the same direction.

For best results let your coloring sit and dry, the ink take awhile to absorb all the way into the paper.

Tips on fabric types:

Smooth quilters cotton gave me the best results.

Cotton knits work great you just have to wait a bit longer for the the transfer sheet adhesive to cool before removing the backing paper.

Canvas fabric works but you can see the texture and the transfer isn’t always perfect.

Tips on heat setting:

Use a craft iron (its a regular iron but only use it on craft Projects) just in case you get any ink or adhesive on it, you won’t ruin other clothing.

Stand up and press firmly, more even pressure I used the better the results I got on all fabric types.

Don’t wiggle or slide the iron. Pick it straight up and place it down, less chance to move or shift the image.

Pay close attention to the edges of the image they tend to curl.

Another fun thing I learned about the transfer sheets is you can also stamp on them for all you non digi people. I personally used Versafine onyx black ink but I’m sure most inks would work.

I hope you all give this technique a try and my tips help you along the way. A huge thank you to Kindred Stamps team for inviting me to design for them. To stay up to date with all of my craft room creations by following @TheCraftBean on social media.

If you are interested in this stamp set or any by Kindred Stamps consider using my affiliate link, It cost you nothing but helps support my blog Kindred Stamps.

Brandi M.

The Craft Bean

Golden Age Card Set

Today I’m sharing a card set I created using the new “Golden Age” stamp set by kindred Stamps.

The entire Kindred Stamps April release will be available Friday, April 26th at 8am PST/11am EST. Be sure to subscribe to the Kindred Stamps blog to see a daily line up of sneak peeks from our amazing Design Team and see the full product release on Friday! Come join the Fan Club and release event to be part of the release fun, and you may just win some Kindred Stamps credit!!

There are 6 characters in this set, they are all amazing! I used each character as a focal image on a card within the set. I wanted the cards to feel cohesive so I decided to use the same general card layout and color palette. They are all A2 (4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches) size top folding cards. The background were cut from 12 x 12 pattern papers from my craft room hoard while the stitched rectangles were die cut from sold card stock. All the characters were colored with copic makers. I used foam tape to pop up some of the images and sentiments.

Golden Age Lady

Copic colors: E79, E59, E57, C9, C7, C5, C3, 100, E31, E51 and E53.

Golden Age Girl

YR24, Y35, Y18, R20, R17, R29, R59, C3, C1, 0, E31, E00, and E51

Golden Age Musician

C9, C7, 100, C3, C1, 0 , E31, E51, E53, Y18, Y35, YR24

Golden Age Chap

C1, C3, C5, C7, C9, 100, E31, E51, and E53

Golden Age Bombshell

Y13, Y18, Y35, R59, R29, E31, E51, E53, C3, C1 and 0.

 

Golden Age Wife

YR24, YR15, Y35, B39, B99, B34, R27, C3, C1, 0, E31, E51, and E53

I hope you all enjoyed this card set I will be sharing my last kindred stamp design team project with you all next week.

If you are interested in this stamp set or any by Kindred Stamps consider using my affiliate link, It cost you nothing but helps support my blog. Kindred Stamps.

Brandi M.

The Craft Bean

360° Photo Tower Graphic 45 Brand ambassador 2019 audition

I’m excited to share with you all my 360° photo tower featuring “Once upon a spring time” papers by Graphic 45.

I adore the way this project came out!

I started by gathering up my paper collection, scraps of chip board and paper towel roll.

The first step was to create the cubes for my tower.

I use 18 medium weight chip board square that mesured 3 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches.

I used 6 square per cube.

To attach them together I made card stock hinges. I cut my hinges to 1 by 3 1/2 inches and score down the middle. I mitered the ends to get ride of any overlap.

To finish off the coners I made covers out of a 5/8 card stock circles. Fold the circle in half in both directions.

Cut a slit in the middle of one of the sections.

Fold one of the sections back and glue down.

Next glue that to the loose flap. To form a triangular shape.

Add them to each corner, I used 8 for each of my cubes.

Next I cover each of my cubes with pattern paper. I cut mine to slightly smaller then my cubes, 3 3/8 by 3 3/8 inches. I inked all the edges of my pattern paper with vintage photo distress ink.

Once I was done with all my cubes it was time to make the spinning base. I cut two 6 inch circles and two 12 x 3/4 inch strips out of light weight chip board.

Using light weight medical tape, one of my 6 inch circles and my two strips I created the bottom of the base. I added the medical tape to my strips and slow bend around the circle taping as I went. I also added more tape to the inside.

To add more stability to my base I filled the inside with cut down paper towel roll peices. They are just a hair shorter then 3/4 of and inch. I adhered them with clear tape. It doesn’t have to be pretty no one will see it.

Before you add the top ( the other 6 inch circle) punch a small hole in the center to add a brad.

Add the brad and secure it so the prongs are on the outside. Assemble the top with meadical tape.

The first part of the spinning base is ready to be covered with pattern paper. I used strong double sided tape. For the spinning disk I cut a 5 inch circle from light weight chipboard. Punch a hole in the center and cover with patterned paper.

To decorate my photo tower I did a bunch of fussy cutting from the pattern paper. I also cut some cream colored photo mats to 3 by 3 inches.

To assemble the tower I stacked my cubes make sure to center them but not to align them. Next I added the disk to the base with the brad.

To add my cube tower to the base I used foam tape along the edges on the bottom cube to keep it from interfering with the spinning of the brad. The last thing to do was decorate with my images, lace ,trim and a knob on the top.

I hope you enjoyed this project. I will be back soon with more craft room creations.

To see a video walkthrough of this project check out my youtube channel.

Brandi M

The Craft Bean

Arcade Friends

This week I am to sharing how to draw a scene or background for your cards. I will be using the “Arcade Friends” stamp set by Kindred stamp for my card. I decided I wanted to have my arcade friend bust though a brick wall.

but I don’t have a brick wall stamp, so I need to draw one. I know drawing can be intimidating but start with something simple, a brick wall is just a bunch of rounded rectangles.

Step 1: draw guide lines, this helps keep the bricks similar in size. My horizontal line are ½ an inch a part. I started with the top row of brick; the bricks are about ¾ of and inch in length. I left a small gap between each brick as to be the grout. Once I had my first row in I draw in the second row off setting the bricks to the first row.

Step 2 for the rest of my brick rows I altered between lining up with the 1^st and 2^nd rows. Rows 1,3,5,7,and 9 are all aligned the same, while rows 2,4,6,and 8 are all aligned with one another. Side note bricks are imperfect its ok if your drawing isn’t perfect. I left out brick where I waned to put my character. I used the stamp to judge how big to make the opening

Step 3 out line the bricks with a pen. I planned on coloring with Copic markers so I used a copic multi liner in a 0.3 size. You’ll want to use an ink that works with your coloring medium, has a similar thickness and color so your drawing will blend with your stamping.

Step 3.2 erase all of your pencil lines.

Step 4 making a mask for the foreground. I used a full sticky post-it note I placed it over the area and traced around the bricks I wanted to mask off. Fussy cut along the edge.

Step 5 once all your mask are in place stamp your character image.

Step 5.2 remove all mask and scream YESSS! when everything came out as planned.

Step 6 color in with your medium of choice, I used Copic makers.

RV69,R59,R27,R29 (Bricks) C3 & C5(Button) R15,YR07,YR15, YR65,YR02 (Shirt) W9,W7, W5 (Hole and Grout) E31,E11,E00 ( Skin) E29, E37,E57, E15 (Hair and Pants)

I hope you enjoyed this card share! I will be back soon with more craft room creations.

If you are interested in this stamp set or any by Kindred Stamps consider using my affiliate link, It cost you nothing but help support my blog. Kindred Stamps.

Brandi M

The Craft Bean

Video Game Brothers

I am back this week to share a fun one layer card with featuring the “Video Game Brothers” stamp set by Kindred Stamps.

I love one layer cards but they can be intimidating, since all the dimension is created with masking and coloring. I wanted to show you all how I break this style card down.

Step 1: Figure our your layout, use your stamps and play around with different layouts. For my card I decided to have one of the Brothers coming up from the pipe. NOTE: I always cut my card panels bigger and cut down at the end.

Step 2: stamping and masking. You want to stamp the forward most image first then mask it. For my Card I first masked off the ground with Post-it tape and stamped the pipe. I wanted a taller pipe so I just wipe off the ink on the bottom line. I create all my masks from full sticky Post-it notes, I placed my pipe mask on my card then stamped my character on top. To create clouds, a hill and a bush I draw them onto the Post-it notes and fussy cut them out and placing them where I liked on my card . I masked everything because I did an ink blended background. This is not necessary if you are plan to Copic color the background.

Step 3: Create the background, once every thing was masked I blended with distress oxide inks, starting with the sky , then I moved the ground mask up and then blended peeled paint, fossilized amber and vintage photo to create the ground. Remove all masks when blending is done.

Step  4: fill in outlines, using a Copic safe pen I draw in the outlines of my clouds, hill, bush, ground and extra tall pipe. I just follow the edge of where my mask was.

Step 5: Color in the images, I used Copic Markers.

Step 6: add sentiments, the outside sentiment came from the “Video Game Brothers” set and the inside Sentiment came from “Arcade Friends” stamp set both by Kindred Stamps

Step 7: Trim down or die cut card panel and add to a card base. I used a dotted rectangle die and a craft colored A2 card base.

I hope you enjoyed this card share, I’ll be back soon with more craft room creations.

If you are interested in this stamp set or any by Kindred Stamps consider using my affiliate link, It cost you nothing but help support my blog. Kindred Stamps.

Brandi M.

The Craft Bean

Galactic Hero

Today’s craftroom creation is a simple A2 card featuring a new digital Stamp from Kindred Stamps.

I love working with digital stamps because they are budget friendly and there is no waiting on the mail man. I printed on 80 lb card stock since my printer can be a little picky about the type of paper it wants to work with.

My Galactic Hero was colored with Copic makers and fussy cut out. To make it look like I know how to cut perfectly, I ran a black water based maker along the edge to hide the white core of the paper.

I wanted to make a custom sentiment for this card so I just use a my computer to type one up. After printing on the same 80lb card stock I used a stitched rectangle die to cut the sentiment panel.

The galaxy background paper is from the “Space Hero” box but you could easily make your own galaxy background with watercolors or distress inks.

The card base is gray card stock cut to 4 1/4 by 11 and scored and folded at 5 1/2 inches.

To pull the card together I layered the galaxy paper onto the gray card base and my white sentiment panel on top of the galaxy paper. Lastly I popped up my Galactic Hero in the center of the card with foam dots.

My 5 year old son decided to craft along with me and create his own card. He used a sentiment is from the “Space Hero” stamp set and crayola colored pencils.

I hope you enjoyed this card and have a very Happy April fools day.

This is a free digi stamp for all the Kindred Stamps fans so make sure to join the Facebook Fan club.

If you are interested in this stamp set or any by Kindred Stamps consider using my affiliate link, It cost you nothing but help support my blog. Kindred Stamps.

Brandi M.

The Craft Bean