Hello! Welcome back to the Blank Page Muse Blog. I created an interactive card for today's post. I also did mirror stamping on the focal point of the card.
The BPM product I used on the card is the Bird in Flight Open Wings Steampunk Cogs Gears Art rubber stamp.
Mirror stamping is when you get a reverse image of the original stamp impression. A stamping tool is very helpful with this technique. It allows you to re-stramp the image if needed. A clear stamp that is larger than the image that will be mirror stamped is also essential for this technique. The clear stamp I used is specifically made for this purpose although it can also be used to stamp a colored scallop edged background. A pigment ink is also needed since this ink tends to remain wet long enough to do the image transfer. I used Versafine Onyx Black ink. I also tried mirror stamping using VersaFine Clair but the result was not as good as the VersaFine Onyx Black ink. I used a brayer to help with the image transfer. I also think the paper is a factor to a successful image transfer. I initially used a smooth watercolor paper. It was harder to do the mirror stamping on this paper because of the thickness of the paper. On my second try, I used a smooth 80 lb paper and the transfer was better.
I adhered the bird stamp to the stamping tool using a washable glue stick.
After inking the stamp, I stamped the image to the clear background stamp. I used a stamping press tool to help with ink transfer. You can re-ink and re-stamp the image, if needed. This is when a stamping tool becomes very helpful.
The above photo is the stamped impression of the bird on the clear background stamp. I placed the paper over this inked impression and used the brayer to transfer the inked image to the paper, thus, creating the reverse image of the bird.
The one on the left is the inked impression of the bird when stamped directly to the paper. The one on the right is the stamped mirror image of the bird.
I heat set the images to dry the ink before coloring the birds. Since I used pigment ink, it takes a while for this type of ink to dry.
I added colors to the birds by blending inks to the image using a small tipped blending brush.
You will notice that I went over the lines with my ink blending. I will be cutting the birds on the line so it is okay to color over the lines. Another thing you will notice is the difference of sharpness between the two images and be able to point out which image is the mirror one.
After I fussy cut the birds, I ran a black marker on the sides of the cut out to hide the white core of the paper. Ideally, a brush marker is better for this purpose but my black brush marker has dried out so I settled with a wide tip marker.
I added a strong double adhesive tape to the back of one of the colored birds. I adhered a silver embroidery floss to the double adhesive tape.
I applied glue to the back of one of the colored birds and adhered the other colored bird to it making sure the birds are lined up. I set this aside to dry.
I added shimmer colors to the bird for some sparkle.
I added a dot of black enamel glue to the eye on both sides of the bird giving it time to dry in between sides.
I created a trifold card for this project. The cover flap has a window where the bird will spin. I die cut a stitched polygon on the cover. I trimmed a double sided patterned paper at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". To have the same window position on this patterned paper as the one on the front of the card, I positioned the patterned paper under the window cover. I made sure that these pieces are aligned. I positioned the die back on the window opening, making sure the ridges of the die match the cuts created on the window card. I ran this back on the die cut machine.
I saved the polygon negative cuts from the window panel. I used this on the first flap of the trifold card. Since I will be using the B side of the patterned paper, I fit the polygon die cut back to the die with the B side facing up, and ran it again through the die cut machine. This step adds a pop of color to the front.
The innermost panel will be the area where a sentiment can be stamped on. It will also be a space to write a personal message to the recipient.
The window portion will have the fold on the left. The first flap will have the fold on the right. I trimmed a sliver off the first flap so it will nestle nicely inside the front window panel.
For the part with the fold on the right, I applied glue to the inside portion of the card, to the left of the fold.
I adhered this to the back of the window card.
I now have a trifold card...
...with the first flap folding inward.
To add the spinning element, I adhered double sided tape to the top and bottom portions of the window on the front side of the window card.
I positioned the colored bird with the embroidery floss inside the window.
I removed the release paper from the double sided tape. I usually use a craft knife for this purpose.
I adhered the floss to the double sided tape, stretching it to make it taut.
I apply another double sided tape over the floss to add stability to the mechanism.
I cover the front window panel with the matching patterned paper.
I adhered the colored polygon die cut to the white polygon die cut. You don't need to do this. I just think this adds dimension to the bird when the card is closed. Also, instead of putting this die cut in my cardstock stash box and potentially forget about it, might as well put it to good use.
I adhered the yellow polygon die cut to the first flap making sure it lines up with the opening on the front.
I can really stop here but I decided to add more embellishments to the bird.
I went through my sequins stash and planned the placement of the sequins on the bird. I slipped a paper underneath the bird to protect the yellow paper from a possible glue mess.
I adhered the sequins to the bird using a pick up tool and a small tip glue. I set this aside to dry.
I flipped the bird and adhered the same sequins I used on the other side of the bird.
I set this aside to dry and placed a heavy block over it while it dries.
I left this card blank. I plan to personalize it when it is time to give it to someone. If you don't want a tri-fold card, you can add a mini note card on the inside of the card. I used a light weight cardstock on this trifold card but you can also use a heavy weight cardstock.
I hope you like today's project and give mirror stamping a try. It is one way of stretching out those stamps. I did this technique on a previous BMP blog post, Have You Tried Mirror Stamping? Please check it out if you are interested.
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