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Do you have a burning question about a technique you’ve seen in Craft Stamper? Do you have a stamping dilemma? Is there stamp you just can’t find? Then Ask the Editor!
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Traplet Publications may edit your comments and not all emails will be published.
Question : How can I find the September web extra pics of the submitted bookmark
swap. Also, how do I thank the person whose work I received?,September
Ange Thraves
Answer : Dear Ange,
You can find the link to the web extra here: http://www.craftstamper.com/article.aspx?a=5220
You can find any back issue content by clicking 'web extra' and then at the bottom of the page of current content following the link to the web extra archive.
We do invite participants to put their details on the reverse of their artwork, and if they have done so you are welcome to contact them to give your thanks. However if someone choses not to disclose their contact information, I regret that we cannot put you in touch. We are not allowed to pass on any personal information to third parties.
I hope this helps.
Katy
Question : What ink do you use to stamp on metal? Diane, Essex
Answer : Hi Diane, thank you for your question. I'd recommend StazOn Ink for stamping onto metal - it's a permanent solvent-based ink and will dry on metal surfaces (do allow drying time however, it won't dry instantly on non-porous surfaces). Happy stamping!
Question: Where can I get the flying cat stamp on page 61 september issue - have googled listed companies to no avail! (September 2010 issue). Kate, SleafordAnswer: We have had several enquiries about this Kate, but regret that we have been unable to locate the stamp or manufacturer. Although it is our policy to list suppliers for products where possible, with the Trade It feature readers are free to submit anything they like, and may therefore sometimes use discontinued or unavailable stamps in their creations. Apologies for any disappointment caused.
Question: I used the Ecoline inks featured in Knock Knock in the July issue & just ended up with a splodgy mess. Can you advise me how to create the look you had in the mag i.e. what materials do I use to apply the inks, do I swirl it around & what is the best card to use? Thanks. Wendy Gladstone, United Kingdom.Answer: Thank you for your question Wendy; I am pleased you enjoyed Helen's article. I asked Helen to help with your query and here is her advice: "Use basic matt white cardstock and a half inch flat brush. Brush the ink on quickly using quick straight strokes in all directions, one colour at a time. Leave some white showing. Rinse brush well in between colours. Overlap the colours a bit as well. At the end flick some colour onto the page using a smaller brush. Any gaps you don't like, fill in with the yellow. Don't forget it doesn't have to be too perfect as you are going to be over-stamping. If it's still too muddy for you, let each colour dry between applications. Don't overbrush or you'll make the surface of the cardstock bobble up." I hope that helps you with the inks.
Question: Hi Katy, for your box frame using the CS free stamp in CS August 2010, you mention using "Sansodor" for blending and I have noticed other contributors previously mentioning this product. I have asked around "down under" (Australia), but nobody is familiar with this product. Could you please tell me what it actually is, so I can try track down the type of product (is it a medium? water based? etc.) rather than trying to do so by name? Thanks a lot. By the way, I absolutely adore Craft Stamper and relish each issue :) . Claudia,August 2010Answer: Hi Claudia. Sansodor is a brand of low odour solvent used for blending waxy colouring pencils (like Prismacolor and Coloursoft). In the US they use a product with the brand name Gamsol which does the same thing (I don't know if you have that in Australia?). Your best bet would be go to a specialist artist materials shop and ask for 'low odour solvent'- it is used to thin oil paints so a good artist's shop should have something similar to purchase. You can use white spirit to achieve the same effect, but I would not recommend it as the fumes can be quite overpowering. I hope this helps and you manage to find the product.
Question: Why is it when I download things like the sewing stuff it always prints out fuzzy? Janice Gee, DerbyshireAnswer: Hi Janice. Our image downloads are all high resolution and all arechecked for good print quality before they are uploaded - there should notbe any issues with quality if you are downloading the file to your computerand printing it actual size. However our images are JPEG images and as such they are not resizable in the same way as a vector graphic. You can make them smaller without compromising any image quality at all, but if you enlarge them significantly this will result in pixilation and 'fuzzy' edges.The only other thing I can suggest is that perhaps you are somehowcompressing the images (thus reducing the quality) when saving them to your computer? Some of the images such as the photos will have a slightly fuzzy effectbecause they are genuine old images and as such may have a 'bloom' on the photo, may be faded or may be a little scruffy. We retain these features rather than enhancing the images to preserve the vintage appearance. If you are still having problems please email me directly and I will do mybest to advise.
Question: How to download Gail Milburn template Page 68, May 2010. Carmelle,Lévis, Quebec, Canada
Answer: The template for Gail's project is available on our website on the Templates page
here. Have fun making the Grungepaper shoes!
Question: Is it possible to order copies of previous stamps that were given away with the magazine? I`ve lost my Ollie the owl stamp and he was my favourite. Having real trouble with clear stamps at the moment - they just seem to vanish. Lavinia Tuck.
Answer: Hi Lavinia, We do have back issues of most magazines available which will be cover mounted with the free stamps. You can order back issues by calling Customer Services on 01684 588599. The issue with the owl stamp designed by Sugar Nellie was July 2009.
Question: I adore rubber stamps from Cornish Heritage Farm. Please can you help me trace their availability in the UK? Bessie Segal, Scotland
Answer: Hi Bessie. There are not many retailers in the UK for these lovely stamps but
Bubbly Funk do have a selection available. I believe you can also order direct from Cornish Heritage Farms in the US. I hope that helps.
Question: Please can you tell me where I may purchase Oxford Impressions stamp range in the UK. The Art of Being Beautiful Collection in particular? Marion, Weston super Mare
Answer: Unfortunately we are not aware of a UK stockist for the Oxford Impressions line of stamps. However, you can buy direct from
Oxford Impressions store in the US and they will ship to the UK.
Question: Do you accept submissions for your magazine and if so please could you send me the details terms and conditions and also what type of things are you looking for and what things you don't accept etc? Janet, Darlington
Answer: Thank you for your enquiry Janet. I regret we are not looking for any more permanent Design Team members at present, having recently recruited several new faces. We do however publish 'Reader Submissions' every month in the magazine. Details of how to submit a 'Reader Submission' are
here. We also pick up items for publication from uploads to our gallery which you can find
here. Good luck with your submissions.
Question: I am trying to find a supplier of the Granola paper by Basic Grey that has been used in some projects in your mags. Particularly the one with the brown, blue and grey circles. Any ideas? Marie, Derby
Answer: Thank you for your question Marie. This is an older Basic Grey line so is less easy to get hold of now. However, the 12x12 collection pack is available from Artist Trading Post (
www.artisttradingpost.com) and Craft Emporium (
www.craft-emporium.co.uk). Individual sheets seem to be harder to find, but Pickleberry Papercrafts seem to have something matching your description
here. I hope that helps?
Question: On page 38 (July 2010 issue) the project is on a hanger. Can you tell me where to get the hanger from please? Jo, Devon, UK.
Answer: Thanks for your question Jo. Unfortunately I do not know of anywhere in the UK which stocks these hangers. However, they are available from Art Journey (the stockist listed in the article)
here. I hope that helps you.
Question: On the ATC swap page there is a black and white flower ATC by Jo Wilson. I would like to know what stamp was used as it doesn't say (June 2010 issue). Helen Gibbon, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Answer: Unfortunately we rely on the people submitting the ATCs for the swap to tell us which stamps they have used, and Jo didn't give this information.
I am afraid I don't recognise the stamp, but there is a Hero Arts Cling stamp called 'Engraved Daisy' (code CG142) which is quite similar in design and might fit your needs.
Question: The Abstract Art canvas which it says is by designer Sharon Neill has a photo of Kate Crane. As I have chosen this project for my friends and I to tackle for our joint blog this month can you just confirm who is the designer as we would hate to credit it incorrectly on our blog. Many thanks. May 2010 issue, page 38. Lesley Ebdon, Mansfield
Answer: I am so pleased you enjoyed the Abstract Art piece in the magazine. The designer of the piece is Sharon Neill. Unfortunately due to an administrative error the wrong photograph was inserted. I have apologised profusely to Sharon and she has forgiven me! Have fun with your project.
Updated: 11 October 2010