Embossing Masks Splotchy Stamping

Ever want to use your brand new stamp set so badly that you do quick conditioning only to find your stamped image is blotchy and underwhelming? Well, this technique can rescue your card and get you stamping asap.

I started this card by doing quick conditioning of the Spring Daisy Stamp Set; rubbed the stamps with my palm, massaged in some VersaMark Watermark ink, and stamped it off a few times on a scrap paper. Alas, the stamping on my card front was mottled.

Oh no, what to do?! How can I blend the ink without starting over? I wasn’t using a stamp positioner so double stamping wasn’t an option.

Embossing powder? Colored embossing powder would overtake the gorgeous Altenew Crisp Inks I was using and I thought clear embossing powder would accentuate the mottling. I remembered Jennifer McGuire saying that pearl embossing powder will take on the color of the ink or cardstock underneath. Pearl embossing power was just right for the occasion!

If you’ve read my other posts you know I was anxiously awaiting my Altenew Crips Dye Inks and this was my first time using them. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE 4 shades in each color family!!! Volcano Lake, Mountain Mist, and Moon Rock were used for this card. 

I embossed the first flower in the top left corner and then got to work masking to create a close up scene.

Tip: when conditioning your stamps, stamp them off on a full adhesive sticky note pad and then cut out multiple masks at once to keep in your stamp pocket. 

The rest of the flower heads were masked and stamped and then I moved on to the stems which were outline stamps. The outlines appeared out of place with the other solid stamps, so I grabbed a matching Copic W5 marker and filled them in. I colored over top with VersaMarker and pearl embossed for a uniform appearance.

Tip: If the direction of one of your stems is off, alter the contour of the stem with matching Copic, cover with VersaMarker and emboss. See stem on far left.

The card needed a bit of filler in the background to finish off the scene. The sentiment and small butterfly silhouette stamp are from the Hero Arts My Monthly Hero February Kit. 

This card, my 4th submission for the Altenew Educator Certification Program, was a fantastic learning experience and was inspired by Altenew Academy class Seasonal Scene Building. It pays to not give up on a card, as mistakes are really just opportunities to apply different techniques.

Thanks for stopping by! Breathe · Ink · Inspire