I have mentioned the Gamsol technique here before and I really used it this past weekend.  The flowers in the background on this layout are stamped and then colored in using the technique.  While it is time consuming, the results really added a lot to this layout.  On top of which, I’m after quality and not quantity right?!?!

You’ll need to make a little investment to start out.  I bought a large pack of the Prismacolor Colored Pencils.  I wanted a pretty decent variety of colors.  The pack I got has 48 and was 100.00 at Michaels if I recall correctly.  I used a 50% off coupon.  The Gamsol was around $6.00 on eBay with free shipping, and the cheapest I’ve found.  It also included two free paper nubs in two sizes, (mentioned later).  I am told however that Gamsol is just the name brand for Artist Grade Odorless Mineral Spirts, so the dabber bottle I got could be refilled with off brand.  Again, I’m told the off brand can be found at Walmart.

Here I stamped my image with StazOn.  I had tried this before with Ranger Black Archival Ink and found that it runs slightly if the Gamsol touched it.  I had no problem with the StazOn.  After stamping I just did a good outline for each color then spread the color with a paper nub that I moistened with the Gamsol.  I cleaned the nub between colors by filing off the color layer with a nail file.

You’ll notice I have journaling and the flowers surrounding it.  To accomplish this I printed my jounaling and cut a piece of scrap paper to cover it to create a mask.  I applied the mask using Scrapbook Adhesive by 3L E-Z Dots so the mask came right off when I was done.  Then I just stamped, overlapping the mask!  Easy peasy and worked great.

Enjoy!

~j