This was great fun because it involved so much experimenting. I got a variety of results depending on the kind of paper or card stock I used. Sometimes the results would vary between straight laundry bleach and dishwasher detergent. Any way you go, you can get some interesting effects.
Notes:
- Other than colored card stock or paper and bleach, the materials listed are optional. You may substitute where needed. Those listed are what I used.
- When using the liquid household bleach, it's best to use the plastic bag to protect the tabletop from stray squirts of the bleach. Put some in a spritz bottle and spray differently colored papers and/or card stock. That's all. These pieces can be used for background patterns or punched into smaller accent pieces with a paper punch (figure A).
- When using the dishwasher detergent with rubber stamps, it is best to use a foam sponge or sponge brush to apply the detergent sparingly to the stamp and then stamp the paper (figure B). In some cases the fading will happen almost immediately; in other cases it may take several minutes (figure C).
- When using the liquid household bleach with rubber stamps, it is best to make an "ink pad" by placing a piece of white felt or several layers of paper towels in a foam meat tray with bleach (figure D). Press the rubber stamp to the pad and stamp the paper as if you were stamping with ink. In most cases the fading will happen almost immediately (figure E).
- Try using an old paintbrush with soft bristles to apply bleach or detergent to the paper (figure F). Different brushes will give you different effects.
- Stamp and emboss a design on a piece of paper or card stock; then apply the bleach or detergent to portions of the stamped image using a Q-tip (figure G).
- One card of two or more colors can be made from one piece of card stock.
To make the card:
Materials:
large plastic bag to cover tabletop
dark-colored paper and/or card stock
liquid household bleach
liquid dishwasher detergent
foam brush or foam cosmetic sponge
rubber stamps
clean foam meat tray
several paper towels or a piece of white felt for "ink pad"
spritzer bottle
old soft-bristled paintbrush
dark ink
embossing supplies
Steps:
1. Cut one 8-1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock in half crosswise. You will have two 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" pieces.
2. Fold one of these pieces in half vertically to form a 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" card.
3. Cut the remaining half sheet of card stock in half vertically. Brush one piece vertically with bleach or detergent using an old paint brush. Place this faded piece on top of the front of your card and attach with glue or tape.
4. Stamp a design on the remaining piece of card stock using dark ink and embossing powder. "Color in" any desired parts of the design using a Q-tip dipped in bleach or detergent.
5. Tear around the edges of the design. If you tear toward you, you will have a portion of the underneath portion of the paper visible. Brush this with the detergent or bleach to highlight the design. Attach to the card with glue or tape.
6. Add any desired embellishments, such as a button or bow.
Resources rubber stampsGraphic Rubber Stamp Co.
Pacoima, CA
Phone: 818-899-5050
Alphabet Stamp SetHero Arts Rubber Stamps
Website:
www.heroarts.com
large leavesFred B. Mullett
Stamps From Nature Prints
PO Box 94502
Seattle, WA 98124
US
Phone: 206-624-5723
URL:
www.fredbmullett.com
rubber stampsInkadinkado Rubber Stamps
Website:
www.inkadinkado.com
ink pads
Clearsnap Inc.
Website:
www.clearsnap.com
flower buttonJesse James Button & Trim
Allentown, PA
Phone: 610-435-7899
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