Monday 30 September 2013

First Experiments with Mouldable Foam

Hello Everybody,

It's been a while since I last posted anything.

I trust you are all well, that you had an enjoyable weekend and that Monday has been kind to you. 

The craft space has been sorely neglected these last few days but I did squeeze in some time to have fun with mouldable foam.
I sourced some Magic Stamp Moldable foam, from Sticky Tiger Craft Supplies, as far back as June just as we were going off on holiday. Consequently, it's been on a shelf and forgotten until now, even though it seemed a really neat way of making my own stamps. The way it works is that you heat the foam with heat tool and then press it on to any cool textured surface for 15 – 20 seconds and what you find, once it is inked up, is that it produces a reverse image stamp. To remove the image all you have to do is reheat. As you can see, I used a collection of buttons for one stamp, this worked very well, and the net wrapping from a pack of oranges for the other - this worked well too but I think it would have made a better impression if it had been opened up to just one layer.  I tried out a variety of ink pads too and ended up with four very nice impressions.
And with them, I made these four cards ... two very useful baby cards, a yellow card with a cute cartoon cow image suitable for a baby's birthday and the red and black card for a model railway enthusiast in the family.
The boy's card ... the button embossing folder went very nicely with the newly formed button stamp. Here it is stamped in turquoise ink then die-cut (a Spellbinders Label) and matted on to teal cardstock. The polka-dot paper that forms the layer beneath the embossed panel and the upper layer of the butterflies is from stash, maker unknown, as was the blue seed shaped pearls. The butterflies are a mix of die-cut (various dies) and punched shapes.
The basis of the girl card is the same as the one for the boy but this time it's embellished with flowers (Marianne's Collectibles), tiny pink polka-dotted buttons and pink gems. 
For the yellow piece I chose a Nellie Snellen stamp, Cow-Boy, coloured with ProMarkers and the paper is double-sided Dots & Stripes, Lemon Drops Small Dots, by Echo Park. The little windmill is handmade from a 2" square of the paper. 
The last card uses the piece stamped with the orange netting impression. It's teamed with a panel embossed using Tim Holtz Steampunk folder, black card gilded with silver wax, and Stamps Away's Steam Train stamp (from CleverCuts) coloured with ProMarkers.

It was great fun trying out the foam and now my mind is buzzing with ideas of what could be used to create more stamps, e.g, cogs, wheels and sprockets from timepieces, sequin waste, shells, etc. I've even kept the trimmings of a stamp plate I cut up recently to make a mosaic - could be interesting. Now you've seen my humble efforts, I hope some of you are persuaded to try these fun little mouldable squares out for yourself - I'm sure you can think of even more interesting items with which to produce your very own stamps. 

I used one or two snippets here, of course :) The white card for the toppers on both the yellow and the red card, and the black card for the embossed panel in the red too, which means I can hop over to Di's, Pixie's Sunday Snippet Playground - Week 92, and join in the fun.  

I apologise for not being around much at the moment, can't say when I'll be back but I will try to keep posting whenever possible until normal service can be resumed :) 

Take care and happy crafting,

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW! Haven't you been a busy bee making up for lost crafty time!
Gorgeous selection of cards-and that foam is such a fabulous idea-would LOVE to have a play with some of that!I will have to get some now!
The buttons came out perfectly and made a beautiful background for your gorgeous cards :)
Have a lovely day,Nessa xxx

Sandra H said...

Wow Elizabeth they are amazing your so talented and what gorgeous images used too keep it up your brilliant take care xx

brenda said...

Apologies this is a bit of a copy/pasty comment Elizabeth but the fingers and hands are not playing the computer game at the moment, but still wanted to pop in any say hello and what lovely work as always.

B x

Gibby Frogett said...

What a lovely selection of cards, my favourite of all was the train.
(wouldn't want to give that away if I'd made it)
That foam is so very addictive - I even use 'fun foam' (think that's what its called) for larger things - although its thin stick it (temporary) on block with glue stick or tape.
Have fun playing... Gill x

Sarn said...

Wahooo Elizabeth . . . you HAVE been having great fun! I've seen that foam before and wondered about it . . . now I think it could be useful for Art Journaling! LOVE LOVE LOVE that black card with the silver - looks so metallic and great for masculine cards. Think the train card is my fave although I love the other cards too.

Hugs
Sarn xxx

ria gall said...

Hi Elizabeth
I have only seen this foam on Create and Craft with Mel but I have to say you have done an amazing job with it. Wow all those possibilities of making your own stamps from anything you have to hand.
Well done and thank you for sharing this with us
Ria

Carol L said...

Each card has it's own unique design and they're all pretty, but the train card is over-the-top amazing!!

Sue said...

Wow Elizabeth such fabulous cards and that looks so much fun I adore the train card its absolutely stunning huggles hun and take care Sue xxx

Bonnie said...

What an interesting technique! I love the baby cards! The buttons are adorable and the yellow really grabs my attention!

Jackie said...

I've never heard of moldable foam but when I get the chance I may just have a look at it. Great effects and wonderful cards :o)
Jackie xx

Di said...

Oh WOW and double WOW! Fabby makes Elizabeth - I'll be trying out my foam as soon as I get a chance. So good to see the super results you can get. I think the baby/buttons card is my fave - although I love all of them! Well done.

Hugs, Di xx

Darnell said...

No, kidding, you basically made your own embossing folders?! How fantastic and how creative and innovative you are, Elizabeth!! Your snippets cards using your designs are really sensational! You are a rock star with this! Take care! Darnell

kay said...

Loving what you did with the foam.x