4.3 desk view

First of all: congrats beth w for being the final dcwv winner!

Well I’m gearing up for a massive improvement in both my studio and the girls playroom.

Ikea time is nearly upon us and today locally I purchased a proper desk chair, cheap shelves for the closet, and a few other items.

The downside to all this cleaning is a total lack of creating. So, here’s a view of my desk at the moment as it waits for my return:

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I’ve got a lot of posting of both creative and organization to do… Soon as I do more of both!

Specialty Stamping Paper

After hearing a lot about the new Ranger Inkssentials Specialty Stamping Paper I finally succumbed to the enabling and purchased a package to see for myself. 

At about $.80 a ( 8 1/2 x 11) sheet it is 3x more expensive than my average sheet of white cardstock I stamp on. To be perfectly honest I expected to feel let down or indifferent. Instead I was blown away + amazed + preparing to order it in BULK. Holy wow. Ok here’s why it is amazing: no warping or pilling.

If you want to do distress ink/marker play, or a lot of stamping or marker technique or that kind of stuff and your normally have issues with paper getting warped or yucky or bits of the paper rubbing off – you NEED this. wowza. I can’t recommend it enough. I fully soaked this paper, used multiple layers of color, heat tool, and all kinds of stuff and yet it held. perfectly flat. No issues here.

As I played with my first sheet I had the video running (so I could see how to re-create what I came up with – not because I intended to make a video to share)… and it’s short so I think I’ll share my process. Here it is:

link to youtube]

My big tip would be to cut a piece of paper the approximate size you need first. That way you don’t get the rest of the sheet colored on/dirty. I’m using this first sheet as a trial/error/play sheet so I’ll be filling it (both sides) with random experiments and not thinking about finished projects or use.

The closest comparison to what this paper feels like is matte finish photo paper (except thicker and both sides are the same finish).

Have I mentioned I’m super impressed with this paper?

It is available in 8 1/2 x 11 and ATC size from Ranger – I’d suggest the bigger size (you can always cut it down) unless you’re making ATCs.

Links to supplies used: