july technique challenge...

"july technique challenge" - tim holtz(c) 2008
supplies: non-stick craft sheet, adirondack color wash, big & bossy pad, clear embossing powder, heat tool, jet black archival ink (ranger); stamps (stampers anonymous); craft iron (clover); #8 tag (american tag); plain newsprint; embellishments (tim holtz idea-ology)

step 1: stamp various images on tag with big & bossy clear embossing ink and emboss with clear embossing powder. *tip: i prefer using bolder images for this technique.

step 2: spray various colors of adirondack color wash over embossed tag.  use as many colors as you like and blend by misting water over colors if necessary. *tip: adirondack color wash works great for this technique because it is a sprayable textile dye and the colors remain vibrant!

step 3: place wet tag between plain newsprint and iron with a craft iron on the highest heat setting. continue ironing over the newsprint until your stamped image appears in the newsprint.  this step is re-melting the embossing powder and and absorbing it into the newsprint. *tip: a craft iron is about twice the temperature of a normal household iron and can re-melt the embossing powder - you can use a household iron but you might have to iron a bit longer, and be sure not to use it on clothes again....as if.

step 4: while paper is still very hot, CAREFULLY start removing the top layer of newsprint from the tag.  if paper sticks, simply reheat the area with the iron until it easily peels back.

step 5: when your finished ironing, all of the embossing powder should be removed from the images leaving them flat and matte. if you still see embossing powder, place a clean piece of newsprint of the tag and iron again remelting the remaining powders and absorbing them into the clean newsprint. *tip: check out how cool the newsprint you ironed on is???

step 6: stamp various images on to solid colored areas of the tag using jet black archival ink. you want to be sure to stamp with a very dark permanent black ink for the best contrast from your "faux bleached" images.

step 7: embellish tags using your favorite embellishments. (pinch me now, i'm in heaven with my idea-ology stuff!) *tip: use the sprocket gears and game spinners over the clock parts - coincidence they fit? i think not.

step 8: here's another variation of this technique using some nature themed images. (hey wait a minute...are those some of my new stamps???)

okay, so there you have it - something different to try with pretty cool results.  i use adirondack color wash on natural fabrics too including silk, cotton, etc. remember it's very intense stuff!  this technique is also great to use just about any theme of stamp so go crazy!  and speaking of crazy, i thought i might as well give these 2 tags away along with a few of my "component" stamps from stampers anonymous.  just post a comment on today's blog post - anything, just let me know you're reading the blog and hopefully enjoying the challenges...the winner will be chosen on tuesday morning - good luck...t!m

Comments

[becky jeffress]

1.

Well, I'm planning my day around trying this technique out. Love the look of the bleach, but don't want to use it. The colors all look great and you make everything look easy! Thanks,Tim

becky

[Courtney]

2.

Love the technique you have shared here! Thanks for always inspiring Tim!

[christina]

3.

This is absolutely awesome! I had an idea how you planned to do the faux bleaching...until you ironed it! That was certainly unexpected. Stunning tags. Thanks so much for sharing!

[lorena b.]

4.

No way!! I'm only the third commenter?? This technique is way cool & seriously love your stamp designs!!

[Kim]

5.

I love these tags! And I can't wait to get my hands on those new nature stamps. Absolutely beautiful! Thanks Tim!

Kim

[Liz]

6.

Awesome tags. I missed your technique challenges and I will definitely try this one again.

[DeniseD]

7.

A really cool technique! I've been really hesitant to use bleach, so thanks for the lesson! :)

[Jennifer Love]

8.

These are just fabulous! I can't wait to spot all the new stuff that is going to be coming out! I'm all giddy with excitement. LOL

[Joann Loftus]

9.

LOVE this new technique and can't wait to try this out! Your new stamps look great, too! Thank you, Tim, for another awesome challenge!

[Helen Brown]

10.

I've been looking for more ways to use the color washes and this looks great!!! Can't wait to try it!!

[kath]

11.

great technique Tim - must give it a try and great to see you back home and showing us fab techniques once again.
kath
xxxx

[MamaSheg]

12.

Wow, this faux bleaching technique rocks!! I can't wait to try it out. You always have such inspiring ideas. Thanks Tim!! XOOXO

[bunny]

13.

Sounds like you had a fun holiday weekend!! Great tutorial!

[Peggy Sweeney]

14.

Now the challenge was great BUT the challenge WITH the ribs... heaven.

Glad you had a good holiday weekend, Tim. Hope your upcoming week is just as much fun and creative.

Peggy
Kerrville, TX

[lee]

15.

I am reading your blog, and loving it. I love your work and your colour that you use.

[JanScholl]

16.

always a nice ending to the long day when I can sit and see what you do. 2AM and I am going to bed-I hope.

[JOh]

17.

Tim this is inspiring! Can't wait to give it a go....You have a gift!
Hope we can get your stamps here in NZ!!!

[Katherine]

18.

Those tags are just too cool for words. I really like the look- it really does look like the bleach stamping. I love all the techniques you share- these give me the itch to bring out my stamps and get messy. Katherine

[Amy]

19.

Love it! Love it! Love it! And the Einstein quote is one of my absolute favorites...can't wait to see the rest of the new images!

[Amy K-P]

20.

What ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS tags!
BEAUTIFUL!
Thanks soo much for sharing this.

[Cheryl]

21.

Tim,
Lovin' the faux bleach technique - especially since I can't tell you how many clothes I've ruined by splattering bleach on them! Can't wait to see your new stamp release with Stampers Anonymous!

[Yvonne]

22.

Very cool! Not sure if I can do this one until I get a craft iron, though!

[Judith S.]

23.

Tim, I love this batik look. It is right down my alley. Am wanting to do this on t-shirts as I love anything to do with fabric techniques that can also be used with paper products. By the way, how do you keep your craft room looking so neat. Thank you for your great ideas.

[Patty]

24.

You sly fox...Embelishments just the right size and a sneak peak at those stamps. What a tease! Love the technique; hate the smell of bleach. Thanks for sharing and keep those ideas coming.

[Kahie]

25.

As always, Tim, your techniques are flawless and fun. I always enjoy your projects; thanks for making them available to the masses who can't visit with you in person.

[Marilyn H.]

26.

Tim
Love this technique and I have been doing it part of it but have not been stamping in black over the top will have to try that, Thanks again for your wonderful Ideas....
LOVE LOVE the sneak peek of your new stamps can't wait to see the rest of them!!!!!!!!!!

[Jennie]

27.

Another cool and hot technique! feel my iron is not for clothes anymore ;)Thank you for the opportunity to win...
Have a good day

[Kate]

28.

Tim...reading your blog???...I am recording it into a tape player and playing it back all night as I sleep...so that by morning, I will awake and automatically go directly to the artroom and begin working (really-playing)...will report in on my success
Kate

[Shirley K]

29.

This looks like a great technique to try on some fall-themed cards!

[Fulltime Mom]

30.

I like! I like! Wonderful creations, as usual....

[Randell]

31.

Your tags look amazing...i love all of your stamps of course! I really want to chop up the newsprint(with the ink that was ironed off of it)and incorporate it into a painting, a little gesso ...ummmm.... Love the quote on the 'nature' tag, is it yours?

[carol]

32.

wonderful technique
kisses from France
Carol

[Melissa]

33.

Thanks for sharing, I have never been able to get the bleaching technique to work for me but this one I think I can actually manage, thanks for sharing.

[Irene Lenihan]

34.

What great tags. I love your choice of colors. That technique sounds like it will be fun to do. Love your choice of embellishments too.

[Lynne]

35.

Thanks for a great tutorial.
Look forward to trying it out.
Love the botanical stamps

[Betina/Hotcat]

36.

Wauw.... it looks good.... and the best part is, that it seems easy to do.... ;-)

Hugs from Denmark

[Margaret C]

37.

Gorgeous! Really gorgeous - and the tags would be a WONDERFUL touch for my new craft room in my new house (hint, hint!!!) thank you for a lovely - and, as usual, you make it seem SIMPLE - technique ! xx

[Hitomi]

38.

Faux bleach technique....wow! I love it! This looks like a fun technique to try out... can't wait. Thanks again, for another great technique, Tim!

[Simone]

39.

I never grow tired of the techniques you share with us. Thanks a million !!

[Beverley Cunningham]

40.

Thanks for the tutorial the tags look awesome love the new stamps and ideology embellishments

[Robyn W]

41.

i love this technique, i need to really sit down and just play me thinks....thanks T!M

[Sammi]

42.

I keep meaning to try this technique, I just need to get a proper craft iron... not that I actually ever iron clothes to WEAR, but I use it for iron ons and sewing now and then! :giggle:

Absolutely gorgeous, Tim, and I love seeing you demonstrate ways to do layers without them looking muddy or over done. Wonderful stuff!

[Lisa]

43.

Glad you had a good weekend, and the time to create this tutorial for us! Can't wait to try it!

[Sandra]

44.

Gotta get my hand on these color wash - bottles!! Love the tags you created! Have to try this soon... ;)

[unemouette06210]

45.

Wouuuuuuah !! I find this tutorial very usefull and the result is wonderfull ! Thank you Tim !!

[Kiki]

46.

Finally! :) I was looking forward for another one of your techniques!!! Thank you for another great one. keep up the good work!

[Sylvia]

47.

LOVE this new technique : I'll try it out this afternoon. Thanks for all those great ideas. Now ironing will seem so sweeeeet!!! (Hope I won't use adirondack color on my DH's shirts...) I'm really enjoying your challenges and all your tutorials, T!m. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Katie_S]

48.

The tags are gorgeous - I especially love the really multi coloured one. I wonder if anyone would notice if I stole the iron for craft use only?!

[Kana]

49.

It is interesting that someone call it as batik look. Yeah, I want to know whether this is possible with the cloth. anyway, this gorgeous colors is amazing! so hopefully... please please someone tell me where I can buy all colors of it... Or..Tim, please get the wonderful Alaska tour ship and sail again to your readers' each country.

[Dedra Wolff]

50.

Ahh, Tim. I've been wanting to do this technique fo-evah and just wasn't getting the iron until embossing powder is gone part right. Thanks for spelling it out and demonstrating in love-er-ly technicolor. Simply mah-valous!