Friday 2 March 2012

Dredging up the past..... Versamark


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Shopkeeper Gal said that a handful of people wanted some technique based workshops showing how to use some basic commodities.  Turned out to be not many people, but hey, I have cards to show, so that's a bonus!  These cards were all about proving the Versatility of the Versamark. (Geddit?)  So the first card shows the famous watermark impression that the pad was developed for. You'll have to take my word for it that the text was stamped in Versamark and embossed with the purple powder..!

The Versamark ink pad is a gift for trouble.  It's easy to use a dirty stamp on it...that's it contaminated.  It's easy to forget that you need a permanent and dry ink surface on which to swipe the ink pad if you're going to emboss a big area...and that's it contaminated.  It's very, very easy to use what you think is a clean stamp on it..I swear, it's a disguised stamp cleaner....but these are worth the worry, it's a wonderful, controllable stamping tool.  


I don't have any, but this card is crying out for some of those metal bits that are all over the TH style cards...i will remedy my lacking stash.  One day!  This image is stamped on a distress stain blended background and then embossed all over using the Versamark as the embossing ink.  Simple.  Again, you can't tell....and let me tell you...you need clean clear embossing powder.


Clear embossing powder - well, you dip wet inked card into it...and tap off the excess...that drops micro granules of coloured powder back into it.  You're all about making the most of your stuff, so spillages get swept back into the pot wherever possible...enter loads of spots of paper dust, chads, etc. So you weren't expecting to emboss, so the excess powder has gone all over the scrap you're protecting the desk with..enter more dust and dirty bits.  Before you know it...your clear powder is speckled with dirty bits.  I have two pots in operation.  One is utterly pristine, for all over embossing and for use with pale inks where the specks and so forth would really show up. If I use this, I am disciplined enough to capture excess properly and return only clean powder.  I know, you don't expect this of me.  I have my moments! The other pot full is used for embossing dark colours and black in particular and is just fine for that..and is most regularly used.  
But, if you've got a filthied up but still useable Versamark ink pad, don't discard it... get your chalks out! Because it's a pigment ink, the glycerine makes it slow drying which means it's not just a glue for embossing powder.  I stamped the smaller houses in Versamark and lightly sponged red chalk over them.  The bigger house was embossed with pearly black powder, and the Versamark swiped over it, then chalk sponged heavily onto it....same with the stencilled bit at the left top.  


Was that an ode to the Versamark?  I think it was.  And do you know, I feel like I've been talking about something from the 70's!  Still, it all goes around and comes around in this world doesn't it...I mean, look at the re-discovery of honeycomb paper!


Have a lovely weekend.



19 comments:

Unknown said...

So glad I'm not the only one whose clear embossing powder isn't always exactly clear and who has a coloured versamark pad!

Cardarian said...

Very interesting post - it might be from the 70's but I started stamping 2 years ago so to me it is all new! Ha, ha...Thank you for all your lovely advice!
Hugs,
Cardarian

Helen said...

And me.... great work, Julia - LOVE that tag especially!!
Have a good weekend, think of me - I'll probably be up to my neck in paint - but for walls and ceilings, sadly!

misteejay said...

Great pieces Julia.

My Versamark pad never gets a chance to get mucky as I can never find it...it's in amongst that stash somewhere! LOL

Toni xx

C said...

Each uniquely different, and each beautiful...thanks for the chalk tip, Julia!

505whimsygirl said...

Oh Julia,

I do enjoy my Versamark pads. Yes, compared to what I see you and other bloggers do, I feel as though I'm stuck in the 70s as far as cards go! hee hee

I bought some fine embossing powder and will be digging out my versamark pad very soon!

Hugs,
Kay

PS It's snowing here. But I do see a ray of sunshine!

Debbie Rock said...

I LoVe embossing but have never got on with my Versamark pad ... must dig it out and try again I guess. I love all these cards Julia ... the tag especially, of course! Love Debbie xXx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I admit. I have one of those stamps. A friend gave it to me USED. Now I know why she gave it to me. It is filthy. I've never used it, so I guess I know why. Thanks for the lesson on Versamark. I had NO idea and I'm one of those who doesn't stamp enough to make any of it worthwhile.

Craftychris said...

I too have a mucky Versamark and dotty embossing powder but hey ho, they still work!! Your projects are all cool, especially the tag xx

jodpea said...

Hang on, what is the "proper" way to catch the excess EP, then?? I've discovered the scrap paper = dust thing and now I need to fear micro granules too?! (I'm not deliberately ignoring the point of your post, I promise - I use versamark all the time, I'm a big fan!)

Linby said...

What great cards, particularly like the sanctuary one. Never had a clean VM pad, but works for me LOL!
Linbyx

May said...

I too have a mucky versamark pad and I clean one and the same with the powders oops!!!They still work fine!! lovely work Julia love the tag!! Have a good weekend, Hugs May x x x

scrappymo! said...

Now I have to go look at mine...I hardly ever use it but with my luck it will be dirty! hahaha
Wonder if there is a way to clean them...off to google it!

Unknown said...

Well, I have a Vesamark pad that is clean because I've never used it. I don't know what I thought it was; I think I got watermark and Vesamark mixed up, anyway thanks for the tutorial. I will try it with my pan pastels.

Barb King said...

Thanks for the helpful hint! I have 2 pads because I dirtied one up, and then just put it away, couldn't imagine what I would do with it now, but of course could not throw it away. Glad I didn't. Never crossed my mind to use it for chalk or for dark colors. Well, here I go, off to try it out today.

Ohhh Snap said...

Love the lesson :D. It's always good to be reminded of products that get tucked away and learn about new ways to use them. I admit I am very chalk impaired, love Versamark, sure didn't know they could be used together. Didn't know about it getting dirty either (I'll have to check mine).

Katy said...

This is a great post! Thanks for sharing the cards. I love the last one the most! I love those houses! And the embossing too! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I love your work. Great ideas.

Elizabeth said...

I would never bring my VersaMark pad out in public, too shameful, ditto my clear embossing powder. I really should buy new of both and keep them for Sunday best. Great post - being a relatively new stamper, I didn't know that the history of VersaMark could be traced back to the 70s :) Elizabeth x