Mirror Stamping
/Mirror stamping is really a great way to stretch a stamp beyond what it’s been used for or perhaps that critter you love is just facing the wrong way for a card you’ve planned. The process I have always used for mirror stamping I picked up from Jennifer McGuire many years ago.
Helpful Tips::
I few things I learned that I would recommend to make mirror stamping nice and easy.
Use a stamp positioner tool like the Misiti, so it make’s it easy to go over anything you are not happy with.
You will need a mirror stamp or any stamp that has a large surface area. (You need the stamp to be larger than what you are stamping).
Piece of acetate to adhere image stamp on. Makes it quick and easy to move or hold down with magnets.
Use a slower drying ink, like black Versamark. I found the copic friendly inks tended to dry to fast to get a good print.
Stamp and die cut or fussy cut out the image rather than stamping direct onto card. So much easier if you don’t get the print you like. Simply do another print.
Don’t expect it to turn out as dark as a regular stamped image. It may need a second stamping (great thing about a stamp positioner) or simply just filling in a line with a pen.
If I’m being honest, I find this is a technique that requires a little bit of playing around till you get a feel for what works for you. (But fun playing around and you will have lots of images to colour for your cards).
Get the Look:
So let's start with the mirror stamping.
Remove the bottom pad from the Misti stamp positioner.
Place the stamp on a piece of acetate. Position in the corner of the Misti. (Don’t forget to hold it down with a set of magnets.) The stamp will be facing up at this point.
Position the mirror stamp on the lid of Misti, aligned with where the stamp is positioned. (Image A)
Ink up stamp and bring the lid down so the mirror stamp, touches stamp, gently press. Lift up and you now have an image on the mirror stamp. If your not happy with the print then do step again. (Image B)
You have to be fairly quick here so the ink doesn’t dry. Remove acetate with stamp. Replace Misti pad. Position card stock in corner of Misti. Stamp down the mirror image and gently rub all over the lines. (Image C)
If your not happy with the print you have 2 options; 1. Trace over any faint lines with a pen or 2. Go through the steps again overtop of current image.
Fussy cut out and colour mirrored images.
IMAGE A: Align mirror stamp over the up facing image stamp
IMAGE B: stamp image on the mirror stamp
IMAGE C: stamp mirrored image onto card stock
Finishing the Card:
Create the watery background.
The “Fishies” card - use blending brushes and distress inks to create a gradient background. White emboss on some bubbles.
The “Seahorses” card - smoosh distress inks onto a surface, spray with water and then dab card into ink. After ink has dried add on seaweed.
Die cut and mount backgrounds onto card bases.
Emboss sentiments
Stamp and colour additional images to go with mirrored images.
Layout and glue on our all your images
