Good morning! I am excited to share a technique with you today that is fast and produces beautiful results. As much as I love bright and vibrant inks for stamping and the dazzling array of Copic® marker shades for coloring, there are often times when a quieter, more subtle card is needed. I love to get out my chalk pastels and VersaMark ink pad for that, two of the first products I ever purchased when I started stamping 10 years ago! This is a “back to the basics” technique called Pullin’ Pastels, and it works with both bold and line art images. Today I am using both types of stamp images on my card.
For this technique, you will need:
- Dark cardstock (Black or navy blue is often used for this technique. Here I am using brown but this technique will work with any color; the darker the shade you choose, the more contrast there will be once you pull the chalks away.)
- VersaMark, or watermark ink pad
- Stamps (clear or rubber)
- Chalk pastels (You can use chalks from a palette made specifically for crafting or even colored sidewalk chalk.)
- Dauber or even a cotton ball will do!
Begin by rubbing pastel color of choice over cardstock until you have the entire panel covered. It’s okay for some areas to be darker than others as this this will add interest and a nice, shabby patina to your finished stamped panel.
Ink up the image with VersaMark ink and stamp.
Lift up the image carefully and be amazed at the gorgeous detail left behind!
When a pattern is desired, continue stamping the image, re-inking each time and turning the stamp to fill in the gaps.
Finish with a sentiment and embellish! I used a sentiment and scalloped border from Carolyn King’s Stamp it Big set. See how well bold stamps work also with this technique?
Isn’t that so soft and pretty?
You can emboss the stamp design with clear embossing powder to add some shine and dimension if desired. This also fixes the design, as it can smear if you handle or rub it too much. I never bother with using any kind of fixative to set it, but sprays are available which will keep the chalk from coming off over time if it’s a concern. I hope you try out this technique!
Send me a note if you do. I’d love to see your finished project!
Thank you for visiting!
Supplies used: Dark Chocolate and Innocent Pink Pure Luxury cardstock, Stately Flowers 6 and Stamp it Big stamp sets, Gina K. Tickled Pink buttons and Innocent Pink organza ribbon from Gina K. Designs; VersaMark ink pad from Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko; chalk pastels from Stampin’ Up!
Wow. Simple yet so elegant. I’ve loved watermarks for years but have never used the chalks with them. I will be tonight!
Thanks for the awesome inspiration piece!
Awesome, Kelly! Glad I shared then if you hadn’t seen before, it’s a lot of fun!
Thanks on the technique reminder, I too learned this years ago, but have not used it for years. Beautiful card!!
I know, why do we do that? (Not do oldie but goodies more often) Lol!
Beautiful card! I have never used this technique, but will now!
Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
True
Really? I taught YOU something?? YES!! Zowee!!
This is such a great technique! I have brushed chalks ONTO the versa mark but never removed the chalk off.
Thank-you for sharing your very easy to follow tutorial. Your card is beautiful!
Yes, poppin’ pastels was the first technique I ever learned, but I prefer the pullin’ actually because you don’t smudge the image or get that kind of dusty halo effect from rubbing too hard or going too heavy with the chalk than can happen sometimes when applying it during the poppin’ technique if you arent careful! (and you get more contrast this way) Try it with lots of fifferent colored, chalks, papers, and images
Soooo beautiful Mel!!!
Thank you!
Beautiful card!
Thank you, Rachel!
Love this card so soft and pretty. thanks for sharing I haven’t done this in a while I will have to get out my chalks!
My chalks hadn’t seen much action in awhile either, so I was glad to remember this and bring them out!
Wow— such a gorgeous card. The delicate line drawn rose looks amazing!! Great tutorial, my friend!
You big honking greetings look good with everything!
I love this so much, I had to run to the craft room (to the craft room, Batman!) and make THREE cards immediately! LURVE THIS!!! Watch for these on my blog soon!!
Oh fun, Richard, thanks, I know your cards will be lovely and look forward to seeing them!
This is so gorgeous! Had forgotten about this technique – thank you for the beautiful reminder!
Sanks!!
Absolutely stunning card! I remember doing chalks, too, but not like this. Oh, I remember what sets the chalks so they won’t smear…cheap hairspray! It worked, too! ;D
Oh my WORD! This is gorgeous!! I HAVE to try this technique…my chalks are sitting on a shelf collecting dust!
Great technique and one I have not seen before. I’m so anxious to try this. I ordered your new Stately Flowers 6 & Carolyn’s Stamp-It Big, so I’m set. Thanks so much for being such an inspiration! Your cards are always beautiful!
So pretty and very effective.
Ter
Beautiful design Mel and love this technique. It looks so pretty on the brown cardstock.
I just love this card and technique! I especially like the larger print words. I am always looking for bigger print as it seems that the older people I send or make cards for have trouble reading many of my stamps. Would love to know where I can find stamps with large print. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Saw a link on richard’s blog and came to see! Love it! Thanks for sharing!
As you mentioned before, I knew this technique, but had forgotten it! Thanks for the tutorial!
Greeting,
Jogry/bali