earn tulip loyalty rewards with every $50 purchase! - host code: BSDUTC3Z

Darling Dots Under Control

Stampin up darling dots rockabilly envelope

Want full "cooperation" from your solid image stamps?  I used my ladybug stamp from Darling Dots (Hostess Level 1) for the first time today, coloring it directly with my Stampin' Up! Basic Black and Real Red Markers (for a 2 color image).  I saw the little droplets of ink forming on the rubber and knew a little "conditioning" would take care of things pronto.

Stampin up darling dots sanding block

TIP:  To condition solid stamps, take a Sanding Block (featured above) and rub the stamp surface briskly in all directions for a few seconds.  Clean thoroughly and try coloring/stamping again.  The "after" results are impressive and I took a before and after picture to show you the difference. 

Stampin up darling dots before and after

My color inspiration (Barely Banana, Basic Black and Real Red) is from the Color Throw Down Challenge #39.  The Real Read card base is 4.25 x 5.5 and scored at the top.  The sentiment is from Hidden Garden Rub-Ons.

TIP:  The squares were cropped and layer perfectly using 1 1/4 and 1 3/8" Square Punches.  I love these little power horses!

Stampin up darling dots ladybug You can earn the Darling Dots stamp set free (plus other fabulous choices and more free merchandise) beginning with a Stampin' Up! product order of $150.  Team up with a friend to maximize your freebies.  All benefits are available with an on-line order

Click here to learn more about the Stampin' Rewards Program

Combine Stampin' Rewards with the Get Connected Campaign and get even more free products.  NOTE:  The Get Connected Campaign ends 4/30!

BrownSignature

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamp Set:  Darling Dots (113708, Hostess Level 1)
Paper:  Rockabilly Specialty Designer Series (114039), Barely Banana Textured (108695), Basic Black (102851), Real Red (102482), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Barely Banana (101170), Real Red Marker (100052), Jet Black Stazon (101406), Basic Black Marker (100082)
Cool Tools:  1 1/4" (104400) and 1 3/8" (103375) Square Punches, Sanding Block (103301)
The Perfect Touch:  Circle Rhinestone Brad (109110, Fire), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Hidden Garden Rub-Ons (111414)

Envelope:  Whisper White Medium (107301), Rockabilly Specialty Designer Series Paper (114039)

Darling dots  

35 thoughts on “Darling Dots Under Control”

  1. Super cute card! I found your site yesterday thru your submission to Color Throwdown … I love your Gallery, how you are utilizing your blog for your SU business, and your stamping space.

    You are definitely making the blog roll on my blog. Thank you for sharing, you are a great inspiration.

    Reply
  2. Card is absolutely beautiful. I love the colors. Thanks for the Tip on using the sanding block. Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful cards that you make.

    Reply
  3. Well that makes me feel better, I have had that problem a few times and thought it was something I was doing wrong……thanks..love the card……..patm

    Reply
  4. That is a great tip, I always wondered how to colve that problem, and what a big difference it made. But I have to ask, where did you get your sanding block? Is it the same as this one: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat3113&PRODID=prd48951 ?

    Hi Crystal:

    Thanks for your comment on today’s card. I used Stampin’ Up!’s Sanding Blocks. $3.50 for 2 with just the right amount of roughness. (p. 189, Item #103301).

    Hugs, Mary

    Reply
  5. The picture tells the story… I can’t believe the difference it makes! I usually go for the eraser myself because I am a little worried about doing some damages with the sanding block, but either way, conditioning definitely is needed, especially if you are going to color with markers, or else the lines really show!

    Cute project you turned your Polka Dot set into! I don’t have that Hostess set yet, but I think I’d like to get it before the catalogue is over. The ladubug and cupcake are so adorable!

    Reply
  6. What a great tip about sanding stamps that need ‘treating’; I always thought it was just me who had trouble with some solid image stamps. Thanks, Mary!

    Reply
  7. Thanks for sharing such a helpful tip! I’d heard about using an eraser on clear stamps to condition them, but I wasn’t aware of having to condition rubber stamps. What a gorgeous card — the layout is so cute!! As always, thanks for sharing your creativity and knowledge!

    Reply
  8. my ladybug has yet to see any ink…great job. you did a great job with the color challenge!:) and i too love the punches…such a great tool!

    Reply
  9. Hi Mary, Wow… i never knew you could sand the rubber on a stamp if it wasn’t stamping clearly. And how do i know if i need to do it? If the image wont turn out solid like its supposed to? Wow! I’m so excited to know that! 🙂 Ive had that happen before and thought, i must not be putting enough pressure on it, or there wasn’t enough ink… maybe instead it was just too new? 🙂

    Hi Lisa: I could tell right away when I started to color directly to the rubber with my markers because the ink was beading. Once I sanded with the sanding blocks, the markers covered smooth and even.

    Hope this helps! Hugs, M

    Reply
  10. Keep the great tips coming! I love this card! Great color combo – who would have ever thought of a black leaf? Not me! Keep being amazing

    Reply
  11. As always, great photos and directions! Conditioning stamps is inexpensive, easy to to do, and provides such a great end result (as so clearly demonstrated here!:) Wonderful layout to help showcase smaller images. FUN!

    Reply
  12. Thanks for the tip on conditioning stamps! I have had that problem many times and I get so frustrated. I will give it a try!

    Reply
  13. Mary, This is one of those tips that makes me want to cheer and dig out old stamp sets that I could never master. Thank you sooo much!! Mary Jo

    Reply
  14. such a cute card and helpful information! i will try the sanding block technique the next time i stamp. mahalo mary!!

    Reply
  15. I used this set today and my image looks like the yucky one. thank you very ,very much for sharing this tip. Tomorrow I will try again after conditioning my stamps. Should this be done with most stamps?

    Hi Jeanette:

    It really makes a difference. I often end up sanding my solid image stamps. Rarely need to on my line image stamps.

    Good luck . . . I’ll be curious to know if it helps.

    Hugs, M

    Reply
  16. Amazing tip, I haven’t been able to figure out what I’ve been doing wrong…now I know how to fix it!

    Reply
  17. Thanks for the great tip! I always thought it was because I had too much or not enough ink. I guess I’ll need to get one of those sanding blocks…….

    Reply
  18. Mary – I love the color scheme you used here. As always the cards you make are darling and I look forward to your postings.

    Veronica

    Reply
  19. Mary! Thanks for playing with us this week! Your card is darling and what a great tip on the sanding! I know I have had issues with bold-image stamps and this will help a lot! Thanks for passing the word around and come visit us next week!
    LeAnne

    Reply
  20. I’m sending this link to Diana. She had asked me about this and I said I think it’s something to do with sanding? Now I’m sure! Thanks, Mary!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Lisa Cardenas Cancel reply

Subscribe to my daily email & BE FIRST to receive my simple card ideas, FREE tutorials, sweet Stampin’ Up! deals & new product drops!  

I’m proud to be known as the “Fearless Leader” to the Stampin’ Pretty Pals community, an enthusiastic, friendly group of 700+ hobby and business demonstrators from across the U.S. that are part of my team.  I offer a resourceful, virtual environment where members can participate in the stamping conversation at any level they choose.  Learn more about my Pals Community Perks here.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Mary Fish, Stampin’ Pretty, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

The content in this blog is the sole responsibility of Mary Fish as an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and the use of and content of classes, services or products offered is not endorsed by Stampin' Up!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have an “affiliate link” with Stamp-n-Storage, craft storage solutions.  This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

BE FIRST!

Receive a FREE Step-by-Step Card Tutorial when you subscribe to my daily blog emails and be first to receive:

âś“ My simple card ideas
âś“ FREE step-by-step tutorials
✓ Sweet Stampin’ Up! deals!
âś“ New product drops!

No, thanks! (click to close)