Bleached Summer Silhouettes

I think I've pinned about a hundred samples made with Summer Silhouettes. This is a good indication that a set is versatile, easy to use, and... I need it! At any rate, I believe that the inspiration for this particular card was first noted on the blog of SU! Demo Lisa Young.

For this card, I've used Soft Suede ink and paper, as well as Pool Party paper. Petite Pairs provides the sentiment. The half flower on the banner is hand cut, popped up on dimensionals, and accented with the tiniest pearl.

I kept the inside very simple.


How do you stamp with bleach? Easy-peasy:

1. Make a "stamp pad" by folding a paper towel into quarters. Place it on a disposable plastic plate. Pour on enough bleach (some people recommend the thicker "splashless" variety but I don't think there's that much difference) until the paper towel sounds "squishy" but no bleach runs when you tip the plate. Note: Best results are obtained when using fresh bleach. I also recommend taking the time to change into old clothes!

2. Press your stamp into the bleach pad several times until it seems to be evenly coated, then stamp onto colored card stock. You'll need to wait several moments to see the magic happen! It's a good idea to make test samples on several different colors, as the specific composition of the dye used on the card stock may not be what you expect! Rust and Olive bleach to yellow, Navy to light blue, etc. BUT you also need to be aware that different dye lots of the same color may perform differently!

It makes sense to do several bleached projects at once while you're being all messy and experimental. When you are done bleaching, IMMEDIATELY clear your bleach-soaked pad off your work area to avoid heartbreak. Don't ask.

3. Bleached card stock must be completely dry before you add ink (if it isn't, your ink will just bleach out). So now is the time to safeguard your rubber. Wash stamps with a mild soap such as Ivory dishwashing liquid to neutralize the bleaching action, and pat dry or leave to air dry. Before you put them away or use them again, spritz on a light coat of Stampin' Mist and allow to sit for a moment, then brush across Stampin' Scrub to remove excess. This will prevent your rubber from hardening.

4. Once bleached card stock is dry, overstamp with coordinating images. This juxtaposition of detail in the stamped images and the soft look of the bleached images will give you a foreground/back-ground effect that creates a subtle dimensional effect on your card.

Watch for more samples made with the Summer Silhouettes stamp set, as I put together my own "Set Sampler" from my Pinterest pin collection (to see them all together, go to the labels column on the right and click on "Set Sampler - Summer Silhouettes).

Kathy