kard mkr : 2017

Card # 3467

Size: 4.25" x 5.5" (A2)

Stamps: Art Impression Still Got It
Dies: Spellbinder Standard Circles, Kat Scrappiness Double Stitched Rectangles
Embossing Folders: None
Paper: PTI Spring Rain C.S.
Ink: None
Copics: E0000, E000, E00, E41, E42, B23, B24, V15, B0000, R24, Y28, C3, C1, N1, N5, R22
Stencil: None
Punch: None

Cutting File: MTC Art Impressions 3
Embellishments: S.N. Sparkle Rose Quartz

Facebook: Kardmkr Greeting Cards

Notes: I have been creating Make the Cut files from stamps in my collection. These are stamps that have never had dies but this process can be used for any stamps. You will need a scanner, a cutting machine that uses Make the Cut and a computer. The first step is to stamp the stamp on white paper with a crisp ink. I use VersaFine Onyx Black and a MISTI to get a really good image. This technique will not work with stamps that have open lines around the edge so you need to take a pen with a tiny point (I use a .03 Pigma Micron) and make a solid line around your stamp.

For the hair over his ear, I just drew around it. This is the image I worked with after I scanned it. I then opened Make the Cut and opened the directory containing the file.

I drag and drop the image from the directory to Make the Cut.

I close the directory and manipulate the image. I set Resample Image at 5, check the Blackout Path Box, Apply Changes, Import and Finish Tracing buttons.

Click on the image and click on Break Apart. Move the image to the right.

Delete all the extra pieces.

Click on the image and click on Shadow; add the amount of white space around the image that pleases you. Click apply. Delete the inside image. The outside (shadow) is the portion you want to keep. When you cut this image out with your cutting machine, use the negative space in your MISTI. (I often place a rectangle around the image so I have a nice edge for the MISTI.) Place your stamp inside the negative space, close the lid, pick up the stamp, fill in the negative with the positive piece, ink your stamp and stamp the positive piece. You can experiment with the size of the shadow but it's hard to tell just where a rubber stamp is situated inside the negative so I feel a smaller shadow works better. You could even try with no shadow at all, although I found imperfections in my drawing left some of the stamp outside the positive piece. This takes a little practice but will save you money on dies, especially with images that already have a solid outline. It's especially helpful if no dies have been created for your stamps. On this image, I did cut out the small sections between the legs with scissors. My thought is half a loaf is better than none. If you have questions, please contact me.