september technique challenge...

"september technique challenge" - tim holtz(c) 2008
supplies: craft sheet, Adirondack Dye Ink Pads, mini mister, archival ink, heat tool (Ranger); stamps (Hero Arts, Stampers Anonymous); watercolor cardstock

step 1: begin with a stamp image that has a basic "design".  what this means is if you are looking at the rubber, you should be able to identify the image.  this technique is not that great with stamps that have too much detail or faces as the watercolor effect blurs the design somewhat.  working with Adirondack Dye Inks, begin inking various areas of your stamp using the corner of the stamp pad only *tip: do not ink the entire image the same color.

step 2: repeat with additional colors inking up all of the areas with the appropriate colors you choose *tip: it's a good idea to work light to dark color-wise to avoid marking up your ink pads - not to worry though, you CANNOT contaminate your ink pads with this technique.  the amount of ink applied to the stamp is too minimal.

step 3: once entire stamp is inked to your liking, place the image flat on the table *tip: do not hold the stamp upright - it must be flat at this point.  mist the inked stamp with water from mini mister until entire design has droplets of water on it.

step 4: this is definitely where practice makes perfect.  i tend to use more water in this technique as i like the look of watered color - remember we are going for a brushless watercolor look.  the ingredients are simple - water +color.

step 5: stamp your wet image on to water color paper *tip: i use watercolor paper because it is designed for water and ink.  the little pits in the paper work as ink wells and allow colors to pool up creating great effects.

step 6: immediately lift the stamp off of the paper and dry with a heat tool *tip: may people hold the stamp on the paper too long during this step.  you should just stamp and lift to avoid the ink from soaking into the paper.  be sure to dry the wet image with a heat tool (even if you don't like it at first) - it really changes when it's dry - trust me!

step 7: if you want a second generation of that image you can simply re-mist it, stamp, and dry it again *tip: usually you can get 2-3 additional images form the same initial inking as the Adirondack Ink pads have excellent color concentration.

step 8: repeat with additional images if desired *tip: don't worry about smearing your already stamped images, they will be fine if you stamp another wet image over them.

step 9: stamp text over your watercolored images with a waterproof black ink - this will show the sharpest and with the most contrast to your design.

*BONUS TECHNIQUE: if you would like to add a bit of "imperfection" to your watercolor, try creating some splatters to your finished work - here's how...

step 1: apply Adirondack Dye Ink directly to non-stick craft sheet.

step 2: using a waterbrush, dilute ink on to craft sheet with water from brush until you get it very wet and "soupy".

step 3: stick out your index finger and tap the inked brush against your finger creating splatters on to your finished card. (repeat until look is achieved).

step 4: dry splatters with heat tool.

so get out those Adirondack Dye Inks that you probably haven't used for a while.  grab a few stamps to play around with and get a BIG stack of watercolor paper - you're gonna need it (this technique is addicting).  i like this technique for nature stamps especially - it's a great way to blend ink colors for leaves, flowers, etc. (but they also work great on artistic stamps too...) here are a few more samples to get you going.

Comments

[Helen]

1.

wow, happy to have peeked early thid evening! love this technique, and fall color palette, i definitely have to try this right away, thanks Tim, have a great week !! take care,and thanks for the giveaway too !
Helen

[All Moments Remembered]

2.

WOW!!! I love these!!! Thank you so much for always giving us inspiration!!! I am going to go tell the message board girls to run here to see this... Thanks Tim!!!

[Anji]

3.

yeah!!!! i love the first of the months' LOL. i was so happy to see the technique up this am. and to see it uses my latest set of your stamps.. cant wait to get the rest of my order, it has a set of your very latest sets. thanks again for the great blog and i hope i win a t-shirt!!!! have a great weekend. enjoy YOUR journey!!

[Jolene]

4.

Very cool technique. Thanks for going over it step by step.

[Shirley Smith from Canada]

5.

I love the watercolor technique will try this one Hope you are having a good weekend with some time to play. Thanks for all your great tips and ideas. Shirley

[Karla in So Cal]

6.

Oh, I so love fall too. What a simple and beautiful technique to welcome the new season. Thanks for sharing.

[Kim]

7.

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing -- and teaching -- and being so darn generous with the give-aways! Kim

[Jenn]

8.

Woohoo! Love the new technique. Thanks for sharing!

[marcia in colorado]

9.

Now I'll drag out those wildflower stamps again and marry them to the andirondack inks for a great fall project.....just the ticket for a Labor Day pasttime.

[Nancy Lynn]

10.

Hope you are having a great weekend Tim. I loved what you did. I just came in from playing with the color washes doing background paper for different projects. Thanks for all you do. Nancy

[Retirednrse]

11.

Wow, I remember this from the Carol Devall show, does that tell you how old I am....I use to watch her faithfully and remember seeing you on there numerous times...I can no longer get her show and I hate that they took it off the air....Thanks for re-inventing this technique again.....

[jen w]

12.

Wow - love these ... so simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us!

[CoreyW]

13.

more great techniques - thanks Tim!

[Penci Petty]

14.

I'm with you, I love autumn. All the colors and smells of fall! Can't wait to try this technique. Thanks for sharing your ideas and your give aways! Have a great week.

[ConnieC]

15.

This is one of my favorite card making techniques. The finished card looks like I've spend a long time on it. And the recipient never knows that it took less time than standing in a check-out line at the store.

[Sally sTo]

16.

I have always loved Adirondack dye inks! They are a staple in my stamping tool chest. Your technique for creating spatters with a watercolor brush is super-duper.

Thanks Tim for a nother great tutorial!

[StacyS.]

17.

Hi Tim:)
I love that when you break it down it looks so simple and achievable, yet you can really make it your own depending on the colours and stamp images chosen.
Thanks for another great step-by-step!
StacyS. (Alberta, Canada)

[Tanya Watts (belgium)]

18.

oh this is nice! shame i only have 1 dye ink pad!!!i have all the distress pads mind!
but i'll give it a try anyway even with my one colour :-), i'll go shopping for more!

i love the way you add in your tips!!!! thanx a million tim!

creative hug, tanya

[Dawn]

19.

Wow! I've always loved the colors in the Adirondack line, but haven't ever figured out what I would need all the dye inks for. Now I'll definitely have to go out and get some!

This technique is *beautiful*, doubly so when paired with the dark brown paper and natural embellishments.

Thanks for sharing!

[Penny H]

20.

Hi! Thanks for posting this technique. I learned this from you in a class I took at Stampers Corner. This is a fun one to play with.

Penny H

[Michi, Orange County, CA]

21.

BEAUTIFUL . . . simply BEAUTIFUL . . . you have such a gift for BEAUTIFUL things, Tim!!! THANK YOU for sharing!!!

[becky d.]

22.

what a beautiful effect! i love it and it seems simple enough for a novice stamper like myself to try!

[HeathreP]

23.

Wow - gorgeous results, and the process looks somewhat messy and fun! Thanks so much for sharing your techniques.

[Alice Zoerner]

24.

I can't wait to EXPLORE. Thanks for the wonderful, colorful tips. Have to find some of that watercolor paper.

[Heather Q]

25.

Beautiful!!! This looks like an easy enough technique for me! Can't wait to try it!

Heather Q
CFD

[TammyB]

26.

I love this technique - it gives such beautiful results.

[Stefanie J]

27.

Thanks for sharing this technique. Can't wait to try it out......oh the possibilities!

[Chantal]

28.

Oh, yes, I see a lot of possibilitees.

Thank so much, Tim

Chantal

[Luanne]

29.

This is one of my favorite techniques, although I don't practice it too often. I feel incredibly artistic once I see the results but only do it in the spring, when I'm waiting for snow to melt and buds to bloom. I'll give it a shot with Fall in mind, see what happens. Thanks for the constant inspiration! -luanne

[Denni B]

30.

I LOVE the Adirondack Dye Ink Pads. There is something about those colours. I can't wait to get back to this technique. Thanks for reminding us of this gem.

[Anne Gaal]

31.

Hi, Tim! Thanks for sharing this great technique. Gorgeous results! :-)

[MichelleL]

32.

Yay! I love this technique, but haven't thought about it in a while. Thanks for reminding me!

[christina]

33.

Wonderful technique. And so simple too!

[Lynne]

34.

Thanks for reminding me about this technique - will get everything out for a play!

[Laura N.]

35.

BEAUTIFUL work! That, AND a chance to win that awesome "you can't buy it anywhere (or I already would have!)" T-Shirt... What a great weekend this is! Thanks Tim.

[JanScholl]

36.

I wish that Ranger had the dew drop size in these inks. I have been collecting that size for my take along case. Ink pads get soooo heavy to tote. I think I have everything that Ranger has put out with these same colors. excpet the large pads-only a handfull so far. But I will get them as soon as my local store has them all.

[Jen]

37.

such beautiful results. Thanks for reminding me about this fun and easy technique!

[Laura Lindsey]

38.

Yea!!! I have everything I need to try this technique and it's simple enough that I bet I'll get great results. Thanks for a technique that even a beginner can do.
Laura

[Kim Clark]

39.

This is definitely one of my faves. Would love the saying stamp you used on your sample. Would you please tell us who makes that stamp? Thanks for your inspiration.

[Mary Lib]

40.

love the new technique. This is something I've wanted to try for a while but didnt exactly know where to begin. Cant wait to get started and I'd love to be wearing one of your cool t-shirts.......Happy Labor Day !~~ Mary Lib

[Kristen DeSimone]

41.

This is a favorite technique that I enjoy using!

Hugs,
Kristen :-)

[Maria T]

42.

wow great teknique

[Andrea]

43.

I LOVE this month's technique and I use it frequently. Thanks for the terrific refresher!! Happy Labor Day!

[Paul Browning]

44.

Great technique & cross fingers I get a T shirt - it'll make my special day even more special :)

Px

[Jen]

45.

Love this technique!!!! Thank you!!!! :)

[Melanie]

46.

That stamp is Ali Edward's handwriting, isn't it? And I think it is wonderful that you have the word "Simplify" on the tag too ... was that a coincidence? Or did you plan it to celebrate her style? Just wondering! Great technique you showcased today ... I had forgotten about it ... off to try it now!

[Dawn B.]

47.

Thank you for reminding me to play with this techn, this fall! I love doing this! It always looks so pretty, I tried it back in the day when I saw it on Carol!!

[Dallas]

48.

Wow love it off to give it a try now
Great inspiration as always
And freebies as well - awesome

[Anne]

49.

Beautiful technique; thanks Tim!

[MamaJayne]

50.

What a cool technique to use to celebrate my favorite season! I miss fall, we don't get much of one here in FL. But with this awesome technique I can recreate the colors!!
Thanks so much for sharing!

:J