So, what kind of paper should I use?

I've been getting lots of questions about paper and what to use for a specific project...so, since you asked, here we go! These are my opinions and what I think works best. There are lots and lots of choices out there, this is just to provide some direction. Whenever possible skip past Michael's and AC Moore and support your local independent retailer, please?

Okay, to be fair, you can stamp on anything. That said, the quality of your results will be reflective of the quality of the paper you’ve stamped and colored on.

65 lb "cover stock": light weight, cannot be turned over to use the other side when you’ve made a booboo as it will show through. This is generally the weight sold in packages by AC Moore and Michael’s. I don’t recommend this weight if you are going to color with any type of markers or using any water based coloring products. Fine for coloring with colored pencils.

80lb "card stock": Can be purchased by the sheet at your local stamping store. Look for bright, smooth paper. Neenah Classic Crest, Solar White is the paper of choice for many folks. Takes all coloring media well. Sells for about $26 for 250 sheet ream.

110lb card stock: My preferred choice for all around stamping. Papertrey Ink sells 100 sheets for $12 online. This is ultra smooth, bright white (or ivory) and does not pill when using loads of color such as copic markers or watercolors. I am not aware of any local stores that carry this stock.

Glossy Stock: generally 65# or 80#. Remember to use the proper ink (see December 2008 ink posting). Expands your range of direct to paper techniques.

Vellum: Many weights. I like a heavier weight, again ink choice is important. You can emboss on vellum, don’t believe those who say you can’t! Generally you’ll color your images from the back on vellum.

Parchment: Excellent for embossing and then using water based markers (Tombow, Marvy) to "paint" with a wet brush. A package of 10 sheets should run about $3.50 at your local store.

Ultra RS: This is sold by Judikins (www.judikins.com) it is very smooth, no tooth, bright white and comes in postcard sized pads. Takes all inks and coloring products well.

MatteKote: Also sold by Judikins. This is a clay coated paper that should be used with dye inks for best results. Takes the Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists well. Also sold in postcard sized pads it is acid free and archival quality.

Acetate or plastic: remember to stamp with solvent based ink (StazOn) and color from the reverse side.

Watercolor paper: Ah....my real love! Buy the best quality you can afford, it will show in your end result. I like 140#, cold press, paper. This has a medium tooth, takes lots of water without pilling or curling and has a great "heft" to it. Usually not carried by local stamping stores, this is a good thing to use that Michael's coupon on! Arches os a lovely brand. Try this with your spray water colors, Glimmer Mists, Twinkling H2O, etc. You'll LOVE the result. Remember to really ink up your stamp with india ink or a pigment ink, let it dry well or heat set, then go to town.

I've been out of touch for awhile....

Okay, It appears tax season has started! Wowzers...we have been straight out since returning to the office January 5th. I am not teaching at all in January and am teaching for the local Adult Ed programs in February -April. If you are interested in one of those classes pick up a Portsmouth or South Berwick adult ed flyer.

I am still scheduling open studio time. If there is something you want to perfect, learn or just be in a creative atmosphere give me a jingle and we'll set something up.

Two feet of SNOW

Okay, two plus feet of snow in three days can be a good thing. I've been one busy elf this past weekend and think I have Christmas firmly in hand. Yesterday I managed to bang out 4 sets of flannel pillow cases, two baby quilts, two velour scarfs, finish the wrapping, bag the yummy chocolate pretzels, do a couple loads of laundry AND cook a pork roast. Whew...I'm exhausted just reading it all. Perhaps now there will be time in install a decoration or two...
Happiest of holidays bloggers.

Just a couple more to tease you

More finished Christmas projects! Shhhhhh....

These photo albums are covered with either copper or stainless steel and then embellished. The coasters started life at Home Depot as tumbled marble tiles.

Metal Covered photo albums

These are some of the projects I've been working on. Look for classes using these techniques in the Spring.

Arrrrrrggghhh... Why won't my ink dry?

Probably the most important paper arts tool, and the most frustrating and confusing, is ink. Knowing what ink to use for what surface and the chemical properties of the inks will make you a much happier stamper! I get asked lots of "inky questions"...hopefully this will help answer some of yours!

Dye Inks
Dye inks, in general, are transparent colors. They are easy clean up, generally acid free but not always fade resistant. If used on something that might get wet, they need to be sealed. (Think tumbled stone coaster)

Water Based: Brands include Ranger Distress, Ranger Adirondack, Memories, India Ink, Marvy Matchables, Stampin Up Classic Ink

These inks are used primarily on papers, come in may colors, are relatively inexpensive. Harder to emboss. Some will dry on vellum. Will not dry on metal, plastic, glass or some coated papers. Use India Ink over water colored backgrounds to avoid smearing.
Solvent Based : Most common brand is StazOn
This will dry on any non-porous surface. Perfect for stamping on metal, glass, acetate, etc. Comes in limited colors, should not be used with Copic markers or Sharpies.
Hybrid : VersaFine, Momento, Pallette
In my opinion the best black, all purpose, stamping on paper, inks. Use Momento for coloring with Copic markers. VersaFine comes in about 12 colors, drys instantly, does not need to be heat set and is great for very detailed images. (I use this almost exclusively). These inks can be embossed but you must work quickly.



Pigment Inks
Move viscous, opaque inks have a longer dry time and are easy to emboss.

Some properties of common brands are:
Brilliance will dry on vellum, works well over alcohol ink or chalk ink backgrounds
Color Box the best for embossing, comes in many colors
VersaColor not as juicy as Color Box but still very nice ink
Versa Magic drys to a chalk finish
Mica Magic drys to a metallic finish

Specialty Inks
VersaMark: leaves a watermark impression. Can be used to emboss.
Embossing Ink: Can be clear or lightly colored. Used to emboss and for resist techniques.
Alcohol Ink: Used to color anything non-porous. Makes polished stone backgrounds on glossy paper, great for metal, glass, beads, etc.
Castaway: Color modifier. Lightens dark colors using heat.

So, what do you REALLY need?
The answer can depend on what you plan to color with. I think a good place to start would be:

VersaMark Allows water marks (tone on tone), embossing and can be used to color with chalks
VersaFine Onyx Black Good all purpose inks to color with water based markers, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, watercolor crayons, chalks
India Ink If you pan on coloring with watercolor paints or twinkling H2Os
Momento Tuxedo Black if you have invested in Copic Markers

When you are ready to expand into pigment inks or colored dye inks I suggest:

Colorbox for embossing
Ranger Distress Inks for distressing, backgrounds, and fun stamped effects
VersaColor spots an economical way to invest in colored pigment inks
Marvy Matchables economical dye inks

Where do I buy this stuff?
Always try to support your local, independent, stamp or art store. They know about the products they sell, can answer questions and guide you and are usually pretty swell people.

Locally we have:
Stamped Designs in Dover
Wholly Scrap in North Hampton
The Paper Tree in Manchester
Ink About It in Westford, MA
Absolutely Everything in Topsfield, MA

If you can’t find what you need, I can order products for you.

Feel free to email me with your questions or comments about this post!

Bears, Bears everywhere Bears!

The tundra was amazing. So much different than we expected. When we arrived it was baren and dusty, after the blizzard the first night it was a magical snowy wonderland! All the animals love snow, especially the bears. There were bears everywhere. This fella was just hanging out beside our Tundra Lodge.
Dog sledding was...so cool. It is truly one of the highlights of my life (so far!) The mushers and dogs were friendly and welcoming and there is simply nothing better than seeing working dogs do what they love. We head home to our own loves today.