From the start, the DistINKtive stamps have really been calling my name, as I think that it is brilliant that they can actually create a stamp that can do what these stamps can do! Not sure what the DistINKtive stamps are? Here's a video explaining it all:
I mentioned on my Facebook page that I was going to show everyone a sample today, and the DistINKtive stamp set that I purchased is called All the Good Things. It consists of some Koi fish, a bonsai tree and some great sentiments. There are some really great reasons that this stamp set caught my eye, beyond it being a DistINKtive set, and I'll let you know why after I show you more about my sample.
I used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches for my layout, which was a natural for this image:
Without further ado:
- There was a bit of a learning curve for this stamped image to turn out the way I saw All the Good Things images in the Annual Catalogue sample that caught my eye originally. I experimented with various techniques until I found one I was happy with. Here's what the image looks like when it is simply stamped with one colour - Cajun Craze in this case:
- It looks amazing, but not as striking or realistic as the catalogue sample. That took a little more work. I tried stamping it in Crushed Curry, using sponge daubers to add some Pumpkin Pie and Cajun Craze to the stamp pre-stamping. I had the stamp mounted on the Stamparatus, because I wanted some black added and I thought I could add that next, stamping over the coloured image. The trouble was that the black and the coloured images are the same areas on the image and the colour gets covered up, even when I stamp off the black ink a bit first.
- Then I tried first stamping the black using StazOn ink and watercolouring the Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze and Pumpkin Pie afterwards using an Aqua Painter. I tried with the black full strength and again, stamped off once. The former was the most satisfying result and the one I elected to use for this card.
- Once the Koi was stamped and watercoloured, I watercoloured the background with some Soft Sea Foam ink. I added another sentiment at the bottom, as per the sketch. (The other sentiment is part of the Koi stamp) and I thought that some of the Japanese characters from Artistically Asian would look great with this set and help to balance the empty space at the top.
- I used the Seaside Embossing folder to add some texture to the background panel of Soft Sea Foam along with some opened up 1/4" Copper Trim, to pull out the colour of the Koi.
Now, on to why I was drawn to this set. Back in 2011, my hubby, dug a huge hole in my backyard and filled it with water (and all sorts of equipment, rocks and plants) and bought some goldfish and some Koi from the local supplier, and we were the proud owners of a Koi pond. Here's how it looks today:
And the Koi were a little shy today, likely because we have had a few visits from a Great Blue Heron trying to catch some lunch. That's why we have a net covering the pond, trying to protect our non-too bright fish from predators! But here's the best photo I could get. They are really getting large now.
- So, I thought a Koi stamp would be so appropriate to use for my hubby, who really enjoys looking after his fish and has a name for all his Koi at least, and some of his goldfish!
I hope you'll give DisInktive stamps a try. They are so much fun to work with!
Click on the links below to take you to my On-Line Store, where you can read about, look at, and purchase if you wish, the products used to make this card today.
I love how you've created this multi-colored fish! And your koi pond is beautiful too. Thanks for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches this week!
ReplyDeleteThis stamp set is so not for me! BUT I absolutely adore your card! It's stunning! x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Teri! Maybe Koi is an acquired taste! Lol
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