Colorbox, versamark, brayer, aquapainter..what does it mean?

[lisanne216]

Hi
I'm so very new to stampin' and I'm sitting here going thru the catalog hoping to put an order in next month for the Jan/Feb sell-a-bration. I have no idea what most of the gadgets are for.

My first question would be the Colorbox Petal Point Chalk Pads, they look so pretty. How do you use those - just like ink pads with your stamps and what kind of look do you get? Can each color be removed and used individually?

I have no idea how the Versamark works or the Brayer? Or how to use them? If any one can shed some light on that it would be appreciated!!

Also the aquapainter - is it the same as a blender pen or better because you don't have to redip in water? I've never used either so I'm not sure what the difference is and which I should buy first?

Thanks so much for your help!! I guess thats why they made this forum Stampin 101 for people like me!!

[trburgi]

You use the Colorbox Petal Point Chalk Pads just like ink pads. It looks like you used chalk.

The aquapainter just like a paint brush and water. I like the aquapainter more.

[teressa]

Quote:

My first question would be the Colorbox Petal Point Chalk Pads, they look so pretty. How do you use those - just like ink pads with your stamps and what kind of look do you get? Can each color be removed and used individually?

I have no idea how the Versamark works or the Brayer? Or how to use them? If any one can shed some light on that it would be appreciated!!

Also the aquapainter - is it the same as a blender pen or better because you don't have to redip in water? I've never used either so I'm not sure what the difference is and which I should buy first?

ok i haven't used the chald pads...i too don't know what to do with them, never seen it demo'd!

I use the versamark to stamp on colored paper with my stamps.....like a shadow on the paper...same color, just darker...know what i mean? you also can use it to stamp and then put embossing powder on it to emboss. that is what i use it for. i am sure there a lot of people here who have way more creative ways of using it ;-)

The brayer is cool, but i had to see it demo'd to understand completely how to do it. i bought one and my tries to copy what i saw still aren't the same as what I saw done! so that one i think takes lots of practice. but if you look at the samples for Lovely as a tree....a lot of them use the brayer to provide a "reflection" of a stamp. you stamp the ink on the stamp, roll the brayer on it, then roll the brayer on the paper....then stamp the card with the stamp itself opposite of your brayered stamp.....confused yet?!?!?! several techniques use the brayer......my advice for that one is have a demo show you how to use it...and practice!

i have the blender pens and aquapainter. i use the blender pens more but the aquapainter has its moments! blender pens can be used with the chalk to color...both can be used to color directly from the ink pads and also with the water color pencils then apply either one to smear the color. i like both depending on what look i am going for. get both ;-)

i am a new demo but luckily my upline did a technique book so i got to try a lot of different things right off......ask your demo(or if you are one...your upline) if they do technique classes....well worth going to for learning cool tricks with any of the products you asked about![/quote]

[melissaparrish]

Lisanne,
I have only been stamping seriously for a year, so I know that all these products can be overwhelming! (And, you will sound like an old pro before you know it if you hang out here on SCS...)

Click on the search bar near the top left of the SCS screen, then enter some of the product names. There are some really good lists on this site that explain all the different things you can do with the different products.
Also, take some time to read threads in the "Techniques" forum. When I first came here (and was still a "lurker" :oops: ), I read and read and read...that helped me so much. Also, Beate's wonderful tutorials will also show how to use many products. (That's actually how I found SCS...I did a google search for some technique I saw in a magazine--don't even remember what!--and this site was one of the results. I've been here ever since!) Once I became a member, I would occasionally PM someone if I saw their work in the gallery and needed guidance. Everyone was and has been so helpful.

Hope this helps...have fun!

Have fun!

[mommamea]

Just a note the blender pen does not get dipped in water. I have both but I use the aquapainters daily. I love the brayer there is so much you can do with it.
Teresa

[Henrysmom]

OH Lisanne216....are you ever in for it!!
You could choose one of those and get a dozen different uses from the SCSers.
You are in for a treat! There are so many fun gadgets and ideas. Prepare to become addicted!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[stamper_jamie]

Here is fifty ways to love your brayer.
RUBBER:
1. Stripes: using markers, make stripes on your brayer (this works best if you lie it on its back and turn the roller while holding the marker) all the way around until the beginning and ending stripe meet. Roll brayer across your paper in whatever direction you desire.
2. Squiggles (technical term): Repeat the same process as for Stripes but make wavy lines instead of straight ones.
3. Confetti/Dots/Raindrops: Randomly make marks on your brayer with your marker (you can use different colors) all over the entire roller. Then roll away.
4. Plaids: Same as with the markers for Stripes except criss-cross pattern.
5. Plaids: You could also outline the stripes for your plaids with the smaller tip of your marker to make the plaid/stripes stand out more.
6. Plaids: Rainbow/Kaliedacolor plaids are made with the brayer being rolled over a KC pad several times then brayering over your paper. Repeat as necessary for the desired depth of color and surface coverage. Then repeat the process in the opposite direction.
7. KC Backgrounds: Same as above just don't create a plaid design. This works great for those scenery/landscape cards.
8. Reverse/mirror Image: Color your stamp, rubber side up and roll the brayer over the image several times, then roll over your paper (works great with trees, flowers etc). You can also add this technique to the above KC backgrounds for a great scenic card.
9. Mirror Image: If you have an image that you want to face each other say the Pig from Farm Fun… you would brayer over the stamp like above and then roll onto your paper then stamp the original pig image nose to nose with the first.
10. Kissing: Brayer over a background stamp like Pindot Plaids then use your other stamps like the Seasonal Solid and stamp onto the background stamp then stamp onto your card stock - your solid stamp now has a design and you have just multiplied your uses of one set.
11. Ghosting: Stamp an image on your card (say the Snowflake from the "Snowflake" set) several times in clear embossing ink. (DO NOT EMBOSS) Then brayer over your invisible images with regular dye pad and your snowflakes will start to appear.
12. Resist: Works best with glossy paper. You will need to choose your resist medium; ink, wax or other. I tried with the metallic pens. You color on the glossy card stock with the pens in any way, or pattern you choose then you use the same technique as the ghosting by brayering over with a different color. The pattern that you drew or colored will not let the brayered ink absorb through the card stock therefore comes the "resist". (This category could actually count for about 10 different ways to love your brayer as you are only limited by your imagination on what you choose as your resist medium)
Others to try:
13. oil colored pencils (work best with regular matte finished papers);
14. crayons;
15. wax paper;
16. metallic pens;
17. ink;
18. resist ink;
19. emboss ink (try the emboss pens to write a hidden message);
20. rubber cement;
21. masking fluid;
22. white out/correction pen;
23. Gel pens;
24. wax resist sticks;
25. Deka paint (for fabric - much harder to do).
26. Another "Resist" able technique: crumple a piece of wax paper; iron (on hottest setting/no steam) wax paper onto white card stock (be sure to use an additional sheet of card stock between the wax paper and iron); press for only 2-3 seconds - this will transfer the wax to both sheets of card stock (if you iron too long the wax will be absorbed into the paper) Ink your brayer and then brayer over card stock. The brayer will resist laying color where the was paper has left its design (makes a great background paper)
27. Another variation to the above is to use your stylus tool and with the wax paper on the card stock use the tip of your stylus to write your own message or draw your own design - brayer over to reveal your design or message.
28. Use your brayer for those big background stamps to get an all over inking.
29. You could also use the same technique as above for those bigger solid images that you want to emboss. Brayer over the image with the emboss pad for an even/smoother finish.
30. Put a piece of cheesecloth down and brayer over the cheesecloth for a different effect.
31. Try the same as above with lace doilies.
32. Lace
33. Bubble wrap
34. Brayer over a leaf (two ways to do this: place card stock over leaf or other nature finds and bring out the textured surfaces below; or use the reverse/mirror image technique to pick up the pattern of your nature find.)
35. Joseph's Coat: Brayer with a KC pad and cover the entire area of your card (glossy works best). Emboss your image with clear embossing powder/ink on top of the area colored (this technique works best with the more solid image stamps like the tent from Roughin It or the Kids Prints). Then ink your brayer with Black or Navy (the darker the better) and cover the entire card again with this new color. Let the overcoat of ink dry, then buff the card with a paper towel to remove excess ink. What happens is that your KC color will then shine through. Just think of a great landscape card with stars in the sky and trees) WOW!!
36. Ink up your brayer with embossing ink and roll over the entire card then emboss with clear powder.
37. Brayer an intense/brilliant color on glossy card stock then use a speckle background stamp and clear emboss ink, stamp then emboss with Rainbow Razzle or other multi colored emboss powder. When you heat it will bring out the beautiful play in colors.
38. Watercolor brayer: Ink your brayer with a rainbow pad or markers, then spritz with a water bottle, then roll out for a very pretty watercolor look.

LUCITE/ACRYLIC:
39. Put rubber bands around your brayer for unique background
40. Wrap syran wrap around your brayer for another unique background
41. Try fabric netting or the netting from bags of oranges or marbles as above.
42. Cheesecloth another unique background
43. Try string
44. Yarn
45. Crochet yarn
46. Try the new Encore pads and rolling it out onto liquid appliqué for a faux suede look.
47. Use your acrylic brayer to roll out paperclay
48. Use your acrylic brayer to make sharp creases in your card stock
49. Crinkle up a piece of Mulberry paper, ink up your brayer with the new Encore pads and give your Mulberry paper that guilded look.
50. Faux Suede - squeeze brown liquid appliqué on wax paper or aluminum foil. Roll the brayer until it is coated and smooth. Roll and even coat of the liquid appliqué on your cut out image (try the gingerbread man die cut) let it set for a minute then heat. This will give you a nice suede feel. Try it with different colors. But be sure to clean your brayer right away.
51. Use your acrylic brayer with pigment ink on glossy (takes a little while to dry) don't roll use a quick sliding motion to brush the inked brayer across the card stock, wiggle if you want (the brayer silly!) You can make some awesome plaids or sunbursts.
52. Try the same technique above but tap the brayer around in different areas for an all over colorburst.

FOAM:
53. Use your foam brayer for an all over airbrush effect.
54. Use your foam brayer with your stencils.
55. Use with the KC pads for rainbow effect.
56. Use your foam brayer with markers for an interesting look. I've heard that you can make some great tortoise shell, leopard or gemstone looks on glossy card stock.

[stamper_jamie]

VERSAMARK IDEAS


A TRULY CLEAR EMBOSSING PAD
Use like you would the Top Boss. Just stamp and emboss with colored powder or clear powder for a see through shine.

A WATERMARK
This is great for backgrounds, it will deepen the shade of colored paper wherever you stamp. Just think about this, for every color of paper you own, you now have a complementary color of ink!

POPPIN’ PASTELS
There are a couple of ways to accomplish this effect on light colored card stocks.
1.) Apply chalks to the area to be stamped, stamp with VersaMark and allow to dry or use heat gun. Then rub gently with a clean cotton ball. You can get a dramatic effect by adding more chalk to a cotton ball or dauber after you stamped with the VersaMark. Or you can emboss while stamped image is still wet with clear embossing powder and the image will jump out at you!
2.) Stamp first then chalk gently over the stamped area and watch the image magically appear.

REVERSE PASTELS
This time you use brightly colored chalk to cover dark colored card stock (Basic Black, Night of Navy, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, etc.) and then stamp over the chalked area. The ink will pull out the color of the paper from beneath the chalk. Be sure to clean the stamp before re-inking it as the chalk you removed is now on your stamp and you will dirty your VersaMark pad.

SHADOWING
This is a technique to use with Kaleidacolor pads and word stamps but you can use it for anything really. Just stamp directly over your first image. Because you will seldom be exact you will make a shadow that gives the initial image a 3-D effect. You can even take it a step further and emboss with a transparent powder like Pearl or Iridescent Ice.

BRAYER RESIST
This technique can be done with Gold Encore or VersaMark. Stamp image(s) onto Glossy White card stock using one of the above inks. Gently wipe away the ink using a lotion-free tissue and small circular motion. Ink up your brayer and roll it over the paper. Wherever the VersaMark ink was stamped, the paper will resist the colored ink from your brayer. This works on matte card stock but looks better on glossy.

VERSAMARK & 2-STEP STAMPIN’
Stamp the same image first w/VersaMark & then with metallic (Encore). Just shift the image a little bit when stamping the metallic ink. It gives it a shadowed look. Looks great on baroque burgundy and forest foliage!

EMBOSSING ON GLASS
Using the embossing buddy first, then using the VersaMark to stamp the image on a glass container, then emboss with detail gold or silver. Fill it with candy and tie a ribbon on it.

EMBOSSING WITH YOUR 48 STAMPIN’ UP! PADS
Ink your stamp with VersaMark then stamp on one of our 48 color pads or you can use a dauber to apply the color ink if you are worried about the color pad. Stamp and use clear embossing powder. Heat. Now you can emboss and be perfectly coordinated with the SU! markers, cardstock and inkpads. Be certain to clean stamp before re-inking on VersaMark pad or you will leave color on it.

DISCREET JOURNALING LINES
Although the VersaMark ink is sticky when applied, it dries like regular ink and loses the stickiness. It is Acid-free and safe for scrapbook pages. It works perfectly on all of our colored cardstock.

BATIK TECHNIQUE
Simply stamp your image using Versamark on ultra-smooth white or confetti or some other light CS and then emboss with clear embossing powder. Let cool. Then gently wad paper into a ball or you could fold it into a small square for a different look. Unfold it and smooth it out. Place it on a towel and wet with water so the paper is very damp. Next ink your brayer with a Kaleidacolor pad and brayer across the paper. The image will stay white while the ink will seep into cracks and the rest of the paper will have a batik look. (Like back in the 70’s when you applied wax to a pattern on a shirt and then dipped it in dye, cooled and chipped the wax away.)

[willosmama]

I have used both blender pens and aquapainters and I think they both have there places. The blender pens are so very versatile, can be used with watercolor pencils, ink pads, and chalks. I have only used the aquapainters with ink pads, and they are very handy this way. (Eventually you will get both!) The versamark is an aesome tool- super for embossing or watermarked images. I have yet to use the chalk pads, but am excited to try!

[veramats]

Sounds like you're ready to host a workshop! Your demo will probably be more than willing to demo whatever products you'd like to learn about at your workshop. Then you'll get the hostess benefits too! woo hoo!

Versamark is a great product to use at workshops. It's easy and there are so many wonderful uses for it!

Have fun!
Vera

[stampcrazygirl]

I use my Versamark for almost every project I do...for either a watermark effect or embossing.

I prefer watercolor brushes over the Aquapainter. To me, the Aquapainter releases too much water.

I use my blender pens alot with my pastels and watercolor pencils.

I don't use my brayer much. I can't seem to achieve the same results that I see on here, so I get frustrated. You might want to wait to get one of these until you have been stamping a while. I've been stamping almost 2 yrs and the brayer still frustrates me!

Have fun!