A dozen things to do with a Versamark inkpad!

 "What can you do with VersaMark ink?" I have been asked this question recently by a few customers so, following is a list of some of my favourite uses of this unique ink pad.

As its name suggests, VersaMark is a very versatile ink!
1. Embossing: I mainly use the VersaMark pad for heat embossing projects. Because VersaMark is a clear ink, you can use the embossing powder colour of your choice without the colour of the pigment pad showing through the embossed powder.

2. Embossing with Classic Ink pads: First, ink up the stamp image with VersaMark, then ink it with a Classic Stampin' Pad colour of your choice.  Apply clear embossing powder and heat with embossing tool. You get a very glossy raised image in the colour of the ink you chose.

3. Watermark: Create a great tone-on-tone effect by stamping on a piece of coloured card stock. The image appears a deeper shade than the card stock and is perfect for subtle backgrounds.

4. Discreet Journaling Lines: Looking for a way to create subtle journaling lines? Ink one of our journaling stamps with the VersaMark pad and stamp on a piece of coloured card stock. Once the ink is dry, journal with a Stampin' Write journaler or marker. VersaMark is an acid-free ink and safe for scrapbook pages.

5. Embossing on Metal or Glass: Prior to stamping, rub the Embossing Buddy over the surface. Stamp the image on a metal or glass container with the VersaMark pad, and then emboss with clear, gold or silver powder for an elegant touch to any piece of glassware. Note: This technique is recommended for decorative purposes only. Embossed images may scratch off or come off when washed.

6. Poppin' Pastels: Stamp the image with the VersaMark ink pad on a piece of neutral-coloured card stock (Whisper White, Very Vanilla). Apply Stampin' Pastels with sponge daubers, stamping sponge, or pastel applicator directly to the ink.

7. Versamark Resist: Stamp on Glossy White card stock with the VersaMark pad. Ink the rubber brayer with a Classic pad, and roll over the card stock. Wherever the VersaMark ink was stamped, the card stock resists the coloured ink from the brayer. If you dont have a brayer you can sponge or daub the ink over the versamark image.

8. Emboss Resist: For a more defined resist image. Stamp an image with VersaMark ink and emboss with  Clear embossing powder. When the image is cool, sponge one or more colours of Classic ink over and around embossed image. The stamped image will resist the ink.

9. Reverse Pastels: Apply Stampin' Pastels (bright colours work best) to a dark-coloured card stock (Basic Black, Night of Navy, Close to Cocoa) and then stamp over the chalked area. The ink pulls off the colour of the chalk, revealing the paper beneath. Be sure to clean the stamp before re-inking, as the chalk you removed is now on your stamp and will dirty your VersaMark pad.

10. Two Step Stampin': Stamp the first image with VersaMark and then the second with white craft ink (or with an Encore metallic pad ).  This technique looks best on darker, richer tone card stocks (e.g. Elegant eggplant, Bravo Burgundy, Not quite Navy). The image appears to be embossed, the versamark creates a shadow line, it works best if you use a stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the two images.

 11.  Use versamark with Heat and stick powder and your heat gun to hold your glitter firmly on your cardstock without messy glues. Stamp an image with versamark, sprinkle liberally with heat and stick powder, heat very quickly, just till it melts, then put your glitter on top.

Heat a second time (very quickly) to set the glitter onto the image.

12. Easy watercolouring: Stamp an image with versamark, use white embossing powder, and then watercolour with classic ink on a brush between the lines.

Take a look on my side bar under Versamark for some tutorials and samples of cards I have made.

And, If you would like a demonstration of how to do this, just send me an email at nerida_carter@hotmail.com and we can arrange a class for you and some friends.