I used to be one of those people that obsessed about having my stamps perfectly clean.
I remember once I went to a retreat with my friend Jennie and her mom - who was an AMAZING artist and a joyful human being - and I watched as she used her stamps with abandon - not even cleaning them after she was done using them.
Maybe it's an age thing - because now I am MUCH more relaxed about when I do and don't clean my stamps. Most of the time if I'm not using some sort of solvent ink, like Staz-On, etc., I just stamp them off on my grid mat and put them away. Photopolymer stamps are easy to do this with and don't see to retain as much ink as rubber stamps do.
When I got my beloved Stipple Rose stamp from my friend Holly last week, she kept apologizing that it was well-loved and stained with Staz-On. No worries, I told her. It's seriously no big deal. I could not care less about the wood blocks, and the rubber is WICKED easy to clean with Ultra Clean, no matter how many years you "loved" your stamp. :) See what I mean?
I have the big refill bottle - that I've had for about 15 years - you really don't need that much - I doubt I'll ever use it all. I prefer this smaller spray bottle.
One stamp that was squeaky clean because I'd never used it, was my adorable Happy Easter Bunny stamp. What better occasion than Easter to let this hilarious little bunny dance around on a card?
Here's a list of the supplies.
Just for fun, I filmed the process of this card, so that you can see that this technique really looks like a hot mess in the beginning, but if you stick with it, it can really shape up. If you don't see a video player below, click here to view it on YouTube.
Happy Easter, or Passover or just happy weekend!
Loveyameanitbye.
No better cleaner than Ultra Clean - that's for sure! Love that darling, dancing bunny image, and your water coloring looks awesome, Lydia! Happy Easter to you! ♥
ReplyDeleteLOL, I have hot-mess issues when I try that technique - I guess, after seeing how beautiful this is, I need to try again! Love the colours, love the oval egg shape picking up on Easter.
ReplyDeleteI agree on the Ultra Clean, but ack, the oily feel and yucky smell - only to be used when strictly necessary. Then, it is a miracle worker.
Oh! This bunny makes me smile! There is no frowning when looking at such happy abandon! Beautiful watercoloring! I think it's about time for me to revisit this technique! Thanks for sharing the video with us!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet happy card Lydia. Makes me smile. I have never heard of Ultra Clean. The results you got are remarkable.
ReplyDeleteI love your cards ... but this one??? Forget about it -- it's perfection!!!!
ReplyDeleteReally love your work!
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