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Tips and Techniques
Updated 08/31/2010
Scrappersaurus
Scrapbook Services and Supply, LLC

scrappersaurus@yahoo.com
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Cricut
Multi-Cut

Fantastix
&  Coloring
Stamped
Images

Rub-Ons  
Hurricane
Prepared-
ness for
Crafters

  •  CHALK:  Pick up your first color of chalk with the Fantastix like you would if
    you were using any other kind of chalk applicator, cotton ball, or swab.  Then,
    simply apply and blend your colors.  Some chalks are drier than others, and
    you may need to rub the tip into the chalk a little more firmly than for the
    softer or creamier chalks.  Pick up more chalk on the tip as needed while you
    work.  Different brands and types of chalk may require more or less chalk to
    get the exact coverage and color you desire.  When finished, seal the chalked
    areas so it won't spread.  Simply place a piece of clean scrap paper over the
    chalked image and burnish with the bone folder.  Lift the scrap paper and move
    it to a clean area of the paper, and burnish again; repeat until no more chalk
    pigment is picked up on the scrap paper after burnishing.

  •  INK:  Ink the tip of your Fantastix by either dipping it into your bottle of ink,
    putting a drop or two of ink from your re-inker bottle onto it, or simply holding
    it down on your ink pad for a moment to let it absorb some ink from the ink
    pad.  Once you have inked the tip, you can use the Fantastix as you would a
    marker, and color in your project.  This is a perfect way to have a "marker" that
    matches your favorite ink color, if the manufacturer does not offer one.

  •  MINERAL SPIRITS or BLENDING SOLUTION (such as Gamsol Artist-Grade
    Odorless Mineral Spirits or Dove Blender Solution):  Wet the tip of the
    Fantastix with the mineral spirits or blending solution, using only a small
    amount at first until you get the "feel" for how much you need with whatever
    medium you're blending over.  Working with one color at a time (using a
    different Fantastix for each color), gently rub over your colored image from the
    outside inward, in small circles.  This will break down the "strokes" of color,
    blending into more of a fluid, watercolor effect.  It will also cause the color to
    look slightly lighter, and you can create shading in your images, depending on
    how much color you leave in certain areas. It is also perfect for blending colors
    together without having a definite line between the different colors.  You will
    want to take your time with this technique at first, and experiment with how it
    works for you.  Different media will produce different effects altogether, and
    you can use it over images and areas colored in with colored pencils, markers,
    and chalks.  However, mineral spirits are NOT recommended for use over
    watercolors.

  •  BLEACH:  Dip the tip of the Fantastix into a tiny cup of regular household
    bleach, then use it like a marker.  Instead of applying color, it will remove
    color from the surface of whatever you are working on.  Carefully
    experimenting with different surfaces will allow you to learn how much bleach
    to apply for different types of effects.

  •  WATERCOLORS: Wet the tip of your Fantastix with plain water, then pick up
    color from the palette like you would with a paintbrush.

  •  PAINT:  Pick up paint with the tip of your Fantastix just as you would if you
    were using a paintbrush.  You may find you have greater precision and
    accuracy using the Fantastix.

  •  GLUE:  You can either put glue on the tip of the Fantastix directly from the
    bottle or by dipping it's tip into the glue bottle.  Once you have a sufficient
    amount on the tip, apply the glue where necessary on your project.  You might
    have to work more quickly with some glues, as they may dry quickly on the
    absorbent tip.

FANTASTIX / COLORING STAMPED IMAGES

What ARE They? - How DO I Color In Stamped Images?

A lot of people ask me both of the above questions, and both can be
answered with the following information:

FANTASTIX (manufactured by Tsukineko; click here to purchase) are
indispensable when coloring in stamped images, and we use them in all our
stamping classes.  They are considered an ideal accessory for stamping and
scrapbooking, as well as fabric arts and home decor, because of their unbelievable
versatility.  They are disposable, un-inked, and reusable applicators that are
wonderful for coloring in your stamped images, and easily blending colors and
adding accents.  Of course, the brush tip (pointed) is for fine, detail work, and the
bullet tip (rounded) is used for larger areas and shading.

Fantastix work perfectly with many types of inks, chalks, paints, bleach, mineral
spirits, watercolors, wood stains, and glues.  They can also be used for stenciling
and needle arts, touch ups, and lots more.  You can use them for just about
anything you would normally apply with a brush, cotton swab, or sponge
applicator.  

GENERAL USE

  •  Before beginning, make sure you use the appropriate type tip:

      Brush Tip (pointed) is used for fine or detail work










      Bullet Tip (rounded) is used for application over a wider area
                   or along edges










  •  Color your image or project from the center outwards, if possible.  This will
    help prevent accidental smearing if you place your hand on top of the
    chalk/ink/paint before it has dried or been burnished.

  • Work with your lightest colors first, especially when you plan to reuse the
    same Fantastix with another color in the same color family.  This way,         
    just in case you haven't cleaned your Fantastix tip thoroughly enough, the color
    won't be too dark.

  •  Always test the color you will be using on a scrap of the paper or whatever
    surface you'll be applying to, in order to ensure you will achieve your desired
    results.  If you don't have a scrap available, you can do a small test first on an
    area that will not be seen easily or will later be covered by another element.  

  •  Fantastix are considered disposable, and only cost 65 cents apiece; once the
    tip becomes fluffy or misshapen and unusable, simply discard it, and use a new
    one.  Some people have found, however, that you can use a sharp pair of
    scissors to carefully snip the point back into shape on the brush tips, and then
    use it a bit longer.  NEVER try to sharpen them with a pencil sharpener of any
    kind, though, as they will crumble!

HOW TO APPLY

 As with all of our products,
please feel free to call
with any questions you may have
in their use!

Dee Famularo, Owner
Avid Crafter of 40+ years

504-812-2261

There are many more uses for these wonderful little marvels, and much more in-
depth information on coloring, blending, and shading, but this should get you
started.  I hope you get a chance to try these out, and I'm pretty sure you’ll think
they’re as great as I do.

Most people normally keep one Fantastix each for use with yellows, reds/oranges,
blues/greens/purples, brown, and black; that would be at least 5, per medium.  For
example, you would probably want one set dedicated for chalks, one set for inks,
one set for blending solution, one set for paints, etc.  These can be purchased
individually, or in bulk (at a discounted rate).

  •  Chalk: Roll the tip of the Fantastix onto a clean piece of scratch paper until the
    color stops coming off.  You can then use the same Fantastix on another color
    in the same color family.  If you have cleaned it properly, it will not transfer the
    original color, but it is normal for it to keep a color stain.

  •  Ink, Watercolors, Water-Based Paints:  Simply rinse the Fantastix  with
    plain water—gently squeezing out the ink/watercolor/paint from the tip as you
    rinse it.  Do not use soap!  Once the water runs clear, dry the tip by gently
    squeezing it again, with a dry towel.  You can then re-use it in the same color
    family, just like with the chalks.  And, as with the chalks, it will not transfer the
    color, but it will keep a stain.

  •  Bleach, Mineral Spirits, Blending Solution, Glue:  Due to their chemical
    properties, it is not recommended that you try to clean it and re-use it with a
    different medium.  If you wish to re-use the Fantastix, it is recommended that
    you allow it to air-dry and then re-use it with the same medium originally used
    with.

CLEANING YOUR FANTASTIX

HOW MANY DO I NEED?

* * * * * Offer good until September 30, 2010 * * * * *

For a 10% discount
on your ENTIRE webstore order
of $5.00 or more with us,
and a FREE SAMPLE of
1 BRUSH-TIP & 1 BULLET-TIP Fantastix
to try, simply type in the following COUPON CODE
while checking out:  
FTX-093010-10.  
The 10% will automatically be deducted
from your total, and you will receive your samples
with your order!