Sponging in Rubber Stamping and Paper Crafting

Ever have a project where all the elements were "right" but the finished project still looked "wrong"?  Often what is "missing" from a stamped image is the background or placement of the image.  One reason that images don't seem "right" is that they are not grounded, they seem to just "be" there.  Imagine a bowl of fruit as a still-life painting.  Is it floating in the air, or sitting on something, a table or stand?  Your stamped images are sometimes floating.  One way you can create the illusion of a table or a stand is by adding something to the "scene."  Consider sponging portions of the project or the background to make it all come together.

Some general things to remember:

1.      Most art sponges come in a round shape.  Cut this into four quarters to get the best use of the sponge.  (Go ahead, cutting it won't hurt – it'll help get into smaller areas – I promise!)

2.      You need to rub one of the flat edges of your sponge over your ink (I generally use Stampin' UP!'s Classic Ink for this purpose.)  Use a circular motion.  REMEMBER – where you put the sponge first is going to get the most ink, so make your first rubs lightly and increase pressure as you use up the ink on the sponge.  As you continue to rub in the same spot, you'll diffuse the ink and the sponge pattern, but if you rub too long, it may also get too dark.  Play around with the piece and how far to the edge or into the project you like.

Some ways to sponge your projects.

1.      Sponging to soften the image –   In this method you want to begin lightly and sponge the edges of the card stock until you get the look you desire.

2.      Sponging as a background – Method A – Sometimes you stamp outdoor images, animals or landscapes.  To ground these, you need background.  To create a sponged daytime sky, use a light blue color of ink.  BEFORE you sponge, use a piece of scrap paper and with scissors and punches, create a rolling, asymmetrical line that is longer than your intended finish piece.  This will be your "clouds."  Now, lay that down about an inch from the top edge of your card stock.  Sponge some ink along the edge, making the edge the darkest and getting lighter as you move upward to the edge of the card stock.  Now, MOVE your scrap paper piece down about an inch and OVER an inch or so.  Repeat the process above.  Keep moving and shifting your scrap paper as you work down to the bottom of the card stock.  Now stamp you image in a dark color over the "sky."

3.      Sponging as a background – Method B – Follow Method A EXCEPT Stamp your image on the card stock first. Then stamp it again on a scrap piece of paper or a sticky note.  Put the scrap piece OVER the finished piece, so you do not get ink on it as you sponge the background.

4.      Sponging a sunset or sunrise background. – Follow either method above, EXCEPT randomly sponge in other colors – using a CLEAN sponge for each.  Sunsets and Sunrises have various colors in them and are as varied as the days of the year.  Colors you might want to use include yellows, oranges, reds, pinks, purples.  Remember that you are using ink.  As you sponge a pink color over your blue sky, you will get some purple mixed into the sky – just as in nature!  You might want to play around with choices on a piece of scrap paper to get the feel of this method.  Placing a punched or cut out circle in your "sky" to sponge around will leave you an area for sponging in a sun or a moon – depending on your sky and choices.

Sponging is an inexpensive way of adding color to a project and creating a finished look.  It can be the difference between just stamping an image and creating a work of art.  Give it a try.  If you'd like to learn more about rubber stamping in cards and scrapbooking, please visit my blog: www.genevachapin.com.