Tricks with the Misti - #1 - 'Sentiment Backdrops'

I have no idea whether I'll be pointing you in the direction of just this one, or perhaps more tricks using the Misti. I was actually looking to see if there was any way to use the Misti to more easily stamp those multiple layered flower stamps that are so popular right now when I found a different technique on Jennifer McGuire's blog, entitled 'Sentiment Backdrops' HERE. That lady is so talented! I loved what she made and couldn't wait to try the technique out - here's my version:

I used:

- 4" x 5.75" white card blanks (I made four the same)

- a one line sentiment stamp from the MFT 'Tickled Pink' set plus the little freebie 'Parsnip' bear stamp which came with Craft Stamper magazine at least six months ago

- the Misti of course. You can actually do a similar style of card using a stamp positioner and a LOT of patience - the Misti made it so easy though and I really wouldn't even contemplate trying to do the same using a straightforward stamp positioner (having two left hands!)

- first of all I placed the one line sentiment and the little bear exactly as I wanted on a sheet of the pink grid lined paper which comes with the Misti. I'm a bit ashamed to admit I'd never worked out just how to use the grid lined paper, relying instead on  placing the stamps where I wanted them on the actual card front and then checking they were totally straight on the grid lines on the Misti cover - Dumbo! I also now need to produce a grid on acetate which I read about a while ago - I know that Simon Says Stamp sells them in the USA, but the Misti website also has a free download and I have some printer friendly acetate already as well

- I'd drawn a pencilled outline of the card blank onto the grid paper and I'd also marked the centre of the area  to help with the placements

- then I stamped four cards one after the other using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and both stamps at the same time

- then removed just the little bear stamp and popped him onto an acrylic block before stamping a few Post-Its with the image. My Post-It's don't have a full covering of 'sticky' on the back but I like the fact that they're yellow and easy to see and handle

- then trimmed the little bears to make masks - in fact I only used the same mask for all four cards so have spares for a future run

- added the bear mask to the card image (using removable tape runner) and then followed Jennifer's instructions for the multiple sentiment stamping, using SU's 'Certainly Celery' ink pad

- if you want to try then this technique then do please check out the link where Jennifer has a link to her really good YouTube tutorial

- basically you will have left the sentiment stamp in place on the Misti lid (make sure you clean it of course!) and then you just move the card blank up and down the grid lines to stamp it in a lighter colour (I moved it by two lines each time as the sentiment stamp is quite a tall one). Ink and stamp, move by two lines, ink and stamp, move by two lines etc. etc. until you cover as much of the card front as you wish

- at some point you may well find you need to stamp with the card blank overhanging the outside edge of the Misti - it works absolutely fine though

- after finishing all the stamping removed the mask and coloured the little bear's nose, ears and the flower, using Whispers markers

- added clear Wink of Stella to the flower itself and called them done

These cards are 'Parsnip Specials' of course, to enclose with Playground prizes! He finally left his beloved 'pickled conkers' alone for long enough to wander into the craft room, hop onto the desk, borrow my specs and have a look. I did resist the urge to lock him in the craft room and rush off to empty the vinegar away - it smells like a pickle factory in here!

And I did a little bit of surgery on the bear stamp. First of all, I confess that I lost the original stamp and had to order another copy of the magazine to get a second bear - and you might know that the original bear turned up a day or two later! He comes with a little heart sort of 'floating' above his head - which was gonna be tricky for masking so I snipped the heart off one stamp and left it in place on the other one. Thereby justifying buying two copies of the magazine of course :)

I'm thinking that this technique would be great for Christmas cards too!

And, yes, I did find out how to use the Misti to stamp those multiple layer stamps accurately and easily. Just need to have a play!