Weeks of Wonder: Kiss it Better!

Everyone knows that a kiss makes anything better, and today, I’ll even teach you how to kiss better (stamp kissing, that is!) Kissing is a great technique that allows you to “kiss” a pattern into a stamp image and have that pattern transfer onto your final stamped image—it adds lovely texture and softness to almost any stamped look.

And know that today’s technique can be a little tricky (but like any good kissing, it’s worth it!), so give yourself permission up front to enjoy the unique variations and imperfections in the stamped look. They’ll give you a soft, somewhat uneven watercolor look that you’ll really like. Here’s how to achieve the look shown in my “Happy Together” album cover.

Step 1: Ink your base image (I’ve chosen a set with a solid circle), then stamp off once on scrap paper. This will leave you with second-generation ink intensity on your stamp. Lay the block down stamp side up on your work surface.

 

Step 2: Without using any additional ink, gently place a second, patterned stamp image on the inked side of your stamp (I’ve chosen a snowflake image to place on top of my circle stamp image). Twist about 1/4 inch. Lift the patterned stamp image straight up and away from the base image.

Step 3: Now, ink the patterned stamp. Press it gently to the inked side of the base stamp once again, but this time, line up the inked patterned stamp image with where your “twisted and uninked” pattern image STOPPED in step 2.

Step 4: Separate the two stamp images and then breathe on (or “huff” on) the based, inked, kissed image. It might seem silly, but this will remoisten the inks and “wake up”the color before you transfer to paper. Stamp your image to the paper.

Step 6: And voila! A great watercolor, patterned look. Distress the edges with a little extra ink for a really dramatic conclusion. You can repeat the process, then punch or cut the “kiss and twisted” images to apply to any fun project.

I’ve used the exact same technique for the snowflake on my “You are one of a kind” card. This technique takes a little practice, but pretty soon you’ll be the best kisser in town!

Step 5:  Punch image using the 1 ¼” circle punch and sponge the edges.