Glossary

Accordion Fold A book or card made by folding a long sheet of paper/card where the folds alternate creating a 'Z' effect for a predetermined length.

Acetate Clear plastic sheet used in a variety of techniques such as shaker cards, stained glass windows and cold water laminate. Printer and photocopies transparencies are also often used in these techniques.

Acid Free Papers with a pH between 7 and 9. Important to prevent deterioration of papers and photos when storing for long periods of time. An essential part of scrapbooking is to use only Acid Free items including pens etc to ensure pristine condition of books for generations to come.

Acrylic Block A clear mounting block used instead of a wooden mount for stamps. This is a handy alternative as it allows you to see through the block to where you are actually stamping for easy stamp placement.

Acrylic A water soluble paint made from a plastic binder with pigment added.

Anti Static Pad A pillow of powder to swipe or dab over your card surface to eliminate static, this reduces the amount of embossing powder which clings to the card where not required.

Archival Archival items have a high resistance to aging and the materials are chemically balanced to allow durability and permanence.

Art Wire Permanent colour copper and silver wire available in a variety of colours and thicknesses to create embellishments for your craft projects.

Assemblage Three dimensional objects glued to a surface, and often used in conjunction with collage work. Articles such as buttons, dominos, old keys, checker pieces, scrabble pieces, chain etc can be used to create themed images.

Bargello A zig zag pattern created using thin stripes of stamped images, papers etc

Bleed An effect left of your stamped image, often appears on shrink plastic if the preferred inks are not used, where the ink spreads in small lines away from the image. Can also happen if a stamp is over inked.

Blending Pen This is a pen available in several brands created with a special fluid which appears clear, assisting in blending colours when a small amount of colour is picked up from a palette and painted onto your working surface.

Blending A placement of colour from the softest hues graduating tone on tone to darker shades. This can be accomplished using blending pens or paint brushed dipped in water.

Blitzer A tool used with markers/textas to create an airbrush effect.

Bone Scorer A hard piece of bone or plastic with a smooth curved/rounded end used to fold cardstock creating smooth folds without creases. Also can be used to score cardstock.

Brayer A rubber roller on a handle used for spreading ink or paint over a smooth surface as it is rolled back and forth. The firmness of the rubber can vary between different brayers and brands. Also available are textured rubber rollers to create many different background effects.

Brush Marker Water based colouring pens/textas with long, broad tips. Can be used directly to colour stamped images or can be used to create the colour medium by colouring directly onto the stamp itself.

Burnish Rubbing the surface of your work with a smooth soft cloth polishing to a glossy finish.

Cardstock Heavy weight card used to create the outer layer of a greeting card ranging from 110gsm up to 300gsm.

Collage The combination of many different mediums layered at random to create a flat image. Laces, feathers, manuscripts, postcards, photos, doilies, stamped images, tickets etc can be used to create themed images. Other articles such as buttons, dominos, old keys, checker pieces, scrabble pieces, chain etc can also be used however this is then called Assemblage when it becomes a three dimensional image.

Corner Rounder This punch like tool easily rounds the corner of any size card, stationery or any kind of paper.

Craft Knife A sharp knife with pointed replaceable blades used for template and precision cutting.

Craft Punches These tools punch out many different decorative shapes from cardboards and papers. The punch outs can be used as confetti, or glued onto cards and stationery as embellishments.

Craft Stickers Foil or plastic stickers available in acid free to enhance your craft projects, cards and scrap pages.

Cushion The material on a mounted stamp between the rubber image and the mount. This cushion allows for even stamping when pressure is applied.

Cutting Mat A self healing craft mat, used to protect your work surface when using craft knifes, blades etc.

Deckle Edge The rough uneven edge effect created when making handmade papers this can also be achieved when paper is torn along a damp line. Some brands of scissors make a definite deckle edge blade.

Die Cut Shapes usually made from paper and cardstock, used widely in scrapbooking to create themes and backgrounds to pages. A cut out image of a Christmas Tree could be used on a card for the background for stamping or can be placed behind a photo on a scrapbooking page for special effect.

Die The rubber image of your stamp is known as a die.

Direct to Paper A background technique created by using sponges pressed into most commonly pigment ink and softly rubbed in a circular motion over cardstock creating toned backgrounds. For best results commence with the softest shades of ink and blending darker shades of colour into the work. Pigment ink because of its slow drying properties is the most effective ink to spread over the cardstock.

Double Sided Form Backed Tape A tape with sticky properties on both sides the same as the Double Sided Tape, however this tape has a soft spongy medium between the sticky surfaces. Ideal to use when you wish your images to have a 3D effect such as a bunch of flowers coming away from the image further than the vase. Also known as mounting tape.

Double Sided Tape Double sided sticky tape is available in many brands. It is rolled together with a paper backing on one side. Once peeled off place on desired work as for normal sticky tape and then peel away the paper backing leaving the second sticky surface for placement on the second surface desired. This is a very successful medium to use for your attachment of images etc as it will not warp the image as some glues can and is very secure when used. Unfortunately it is not easy to alter the position of your work once placed because of firmness with which it binds the surfaces.

Dry Embossing An indentation of an image created by tracing within a stencil pattern with a stylus. This can be left as a colourless image or the stencil may be placed over the impression once completed and it can then be coloured with various mediums.

Dye Ink Fast drying mostly water based inks that give a quick finished image on almost all surfaces. Ideal to use on gloss card surfaces. Used to create background images with brayers. When these inks have archival properties they may require stamp cleaners to remove the colour from the rubber stamp unlike the damp cloth normally suitable.

Embellishment An ornamental effect on your finished art work using Brass charms, buttons, ribbons etc.

Embossing Pens A writing pen which has ink wet enough to hold all embossing powders. It is perfect to use for signing cards and envelopes, or any paper project.

Embossing Powder The powder applied to the wet pigment ink image and heated with a heat tool or toaster to create a smooth raised finish. Available in many brands, colours and finishes including detail, enamel, pearl, glitter and foil etc. Once sprinkled over the image tap off excess and return to the vial for the next image, a small vial will last for a large quantity of images using this method.

Embossing The raised smooth surface created after a pigment inked image has been covered with embossing powder and heated with a heat tool or over a toaster to melt the powder. This method gives your creation shining raised images and added texture.

Eraser Carving The creation of unique individual design stamps by carving a design into a eraser with x-acto knives. Once created used in the same way as regular rubber stamps.

Fabric Ink Specially formulated pigment inks made for stamping on fabrics and remaining permanent after wear and washing of the garment.

Fabric Paints Specially formulated paints made for stamping on fabrics and remaining permanent after wear and washing of the garment.

Faux Post Used to decorate predominately mail art. It can be made with rubber stamps of small images and is commonly given a perforated edge to resemble postage stamps.

Fixative A substance usually available in spray form that prevents fading, removal of glitter, chalks etc from your finished work making the image permanent.

Foil A foil attached to a plastic film, can be applied to a tacky surface such as tapes, glues and leaves a shiny, foil finish to your project.

Glitter Glue Clear drying glue with glitter suspended within available in a variety of colours and brands in pen forms or fine nozzled applicator bottles.

Glitter Small metallic like fragments used to add an ornamental finish to your artwork available in a huge range of colours and grades.

Glue Pen A chisel tipped pen perfect for writing and embellishing in calligraphy with glitter etc. or drawing designs and borders to emboss. Also can be used to glue papers and cardstock together.

Glue Stick A hard solid glue which comes in a stick form available in many brands. Can be used to attach images or layers of cardstock together.

Gum Arabic Increases brilliancy, gloss and transparency of water colours. Used to bind colour pigments such as Pearl Ex powder. Helps control the flow of paint etc.

Heat Gun/Tool An electrical tool which when turned on blows hot air onto your cardstock when embossing powder is being used. The heat from the Heat Gun is sufficient to melt the powder to give the shiny raised effect of embossing. The heat output from the Heat Gun is much hotter than that of a hair dryer although they may appear to be similar and unfortunately the powder will not melt under the lesser heat provided by the hair dryer. An alternative to a heat gun is using a pop up toaster and holding your artwork over the toaster, this also provides the necessary heat to melt the embossing powder. Several brands of Heat Gun are available such as the Milwaukee brand.

Hook and Loop The name of Velcro used in mounting unmounted stamps usually to a clear Perspex/acrylic blocks. Sheets of Velcro loop with very strong sticky glue are attached to the rubber die and strips of the Velcro hook are attached along grooves made within the Perspex/acrylic block. This enables you to attach the rubber die to the block for stamping and then remove to make way for the next rubber die image. This method of mounting rubber dies is therefore very space efficient with the same set of Perspex/acrylic blocks being used for your whole unmounted collection.

Huffing This is blowing softly onto a stamp as you would a set of spectacles to clean them. This allows a second image to be stamped from the first inking after one image has been made. This gives an effect of the image fading softly, you may huff on your stamp as many times as you wish from the initial inking the images will just fade a little more each time. A very popular technique when colouring with brush markers directly onto the more solid stamp images.

Index The image shown on top of your mounted stamp.

Interference The metallic or iridescent look given from some paints or pigments containing mica particles.

Iridescent Medium Can be mixed with water colours or applied directly to give iridescent or glitter effects such as snow. Particularly effective when mixed with transparent colours.

Jac Paper Double sided glued paper which is heat resistant.

Kromecoat A brand of double coated glossy card. Used in many projects of the rubber stamper, however care is needed when stamping onto the very smooth surface not to move the stamp once contact is made, as it is very easy to smear your image. Unless special inks are being used when pigment ink is used on this surface it is necessary to emboss your image as the ink does not dry on non porous surfaces.

Layering The process of assembling a card placing your art work on one or several additional pieces of complimentary cardstock prior to adhering to the final greeting card. Many different kinds of cardstock, papers, doilies, glittery contacts etc can be used in this process.

Leaf Thin metal foil which is adhered to your artwork with double sided tape or sheets. A small quantity goes a long way as your rub the foil over the tape removing excess and returning to your bag for future use. Available in many brands and colours.

Light Box Usually a box with a light bulb inside and a clear glass at the top on which you rest your artwork to complete projects such as dry embossing allowing you to see through the paper you are working with.

Light Fastness The speed at which cardstock or inked/coloured images fade when in direct sunlight.

Liquid Applique A liquid paint available in applicator pens in many different colours which is heated after applying to the artwork surface. When heated the paint expands and 'puffs' giving a raised bumpy texture.

Liquid Pearls A three dimensional paint available in many colours. Can be applied straight to your artwork from the fine nozzled applicators or the paint can have small amounts of water added to it and painted onto the surface with a paint brush.

Lumieres An opaque pigment paint available in a large range of colours including metallic tones.

Masking A technique used to bring three dimensional effects to your artwork. An example would be stamping a bed of flowers then stamping a second image of the flowers onto a spare piece of paper. This paper is then cut out very closely to the outside lines of the image. It is often very helpful to use a post it note for the second image ensuring that a portion of the image is stamped over the sticky part of the paper. This then prevents possible errors if your mask moves as you complete your artwork, this can be very helpful if there is more than one mask used at a time. The mask of the flowers is then placed over the existing bed of flowers on your artwork and another stamp such as a tree is stamped into position straight over the cut out/masked flower bed. Once this masked flower bed is removed it brings to life the total image of the tree growing up behind the flower bed.

Matt Finish A flat or dull surface to your artwork. Papers which have a matt finish are porous and absorb inks more quickly therefore drying time is reduced.

Metal Shim Thin sheet metal in several colours, can be stamped and embossed. Pliable enough to shape and mould with shaping tools. Easily cut to size with scissors.

Metallic Rub Ons Metallic paint available in several colour ranges. Can be rubbed onto your artwork for highlight features.

Mini Books or Journals Small books or journals made from combining several layers of paper and binding two covers either side of the paper with various types of wool or twine. The covers can be decorated with various techniques of artwork and from varying substances such as heavy cardstock, shrink plastic or even wood.

Mirror Image An image of an existing stamp which is stamped into a reversing block prior to being pressed onto your artwork. An example is a car facing to the right after being stamped into the reversing block and then pressed onto your artwork would now be facing left.

Mortise Mask A masking technique used on images with open areas such as frames, windows, bowls, boxes, doors and baskets. A mask of the image is taken and the centre area is removed to allow the second image to appear in the centre such as fish inside a fish bowl.

Mount The wood, acrylic or foam block onto which your rubber die is attached.

Mulberry Paper A Japanese paper available in a wide variety of colours. Made from a mixture of Kozo fibres. Some varieties have gold threads throughout the sheet. A lovely paper used commonly in layering. To tear the paper run a wet cotton bud around the desired shape and pull the paper apart with the thumb and forefinger to give a lovely rough edge. The paper edge dries very quickly for layering.

Oil Pastels An oil based colouring product available in crayons, paint blocks or tubes. Used both for backgrounds and colouring of images.

Opaque Unable to see through, not letting light through, not transparent.

Overstamping The process of stamping where the second image stamped overlaps slightly or completely the first image. Such as backgrounds where you slightly overlap the images to avoid gaps in the background design.

Paper Crimper A tool used to roll a piece of paper through two sets of rollers with impressions such as corrugations to indent the paper as it passes through. Available in many different brands and also many different patterns.

Paper Edgers and Corner Tools Specially designed scissors that cut leaving a decorative design on the corner of your page. Indicators are also shown on the scissors to ensure the paper is correctly aligned for a centred design.

Paper Punches Available in many different brands and designs. Metal punches in varying sizes that punch out decorative shapes in paper.

Peak This is the fold in your cardstock that creates a peak pointing skywards like a mountain.

Pearl Ex Non toxic pigment powder available in several pearlescent colours. Can be mixed with other mediums such as Gum Arabic or can be rubbed over stamped images.

Perfect Medium Refresher Perfect Ink Refresher was developed to help extend the life of water-base markers (Tombow, Marvy, etc..), and stamp ink pads. Many times, even when stamp pads are re-inked, the pad does not spring back to life. It was discovered that often the pads needed moisture and not more pigment.

Pigment Ink These water based inks due to there slow drying properties are often used in conjunction with embossing powder to create raised shining stamping images. If used on gloss card and not embossed these inks in some instances may never dry. Available in many brands and colours they appear thick and opaque.

Rainbow Pad Available in both dye and pigment inks. An inkpad that has several colours within the one pad, these can be blended together such as Stamp It Rainbow Pads or can be definite lines of colour change as in the Kaleidacolor Pads.

Reversing Block A rubber stamp of plain flat rubber available in many sizes. If you have a shadow stamp of a suitable size these can also be used as a reversing block. These stamps allow you to achieve a mirror image of your existing stamp.

Score An impression made in the cardstock usually with a stylus or bone scorer that makes it easier to fold the card with a neat crease without wrinkles.

Sealer A substance usually available in spray form that prevents fading, removal of glitter, chalks etc from your finished work making the image permanent.

Second and Third Generation Stamping The term given to images made after the original image created on your artwork from the inkpad. The following images are created by huffing onto the stamp to create moisture to allow another image to be made. (Huffing is explained further within this Glossary).

Shrink Plastic Plastic sheets that can be stamped and cut with scissors then heated. Once heated the plastic begins to shrink and thicken. Ideal to make embellishments for cards or buttons and jewellry.

Sponging Used to create direct to paper backgrounds etc. A small sponge is tapped onto your ink pad and then softly rotated in a circular motion on your artwork transferring the colour. Working from the lightest shades of ink through to your darkest shades and repeating with the same shade if a fuller or richer colour is desired.

Stamp Positioner A tool to assist with exact placement of images on your artwork. Usually made from acrylic allowing clear vision of the entire artwork area in the shape of a 'L' or a 'T'. The position is lined up on your artwork where you wish the image to be and then your stamp is butted up in the 'L' or 'T' and pressed down giving exact placement on your artwork.

Static Pillow A pillow of specially formulated powder that is dabbed a little over your card or transparency and gently wiped or shaken to remove residue. This is especially helpful when embossing on dark cardstock such as black and once heated there appears unwanted embossing powder specks. This pillow removes static and moisture and your surface is ready for perfect embossing.

Stencils Cut out designs that come in plastic or brass. These are used in the dry embossing method or can be used as stencils to apply shaded images to your work. Whilst holding firmly to the stencil you can shade the image with chalks, inks, paints or watercolours etc then remove to display your design.

Stippling The use of firm bristled brushes to apply colour to your artwork. The brush is tapped onto the ink pad then depending of the shade of colour required, is tapped directly on your artwork or the excess is tapped off on a spare piece of paper prior to tapping onto your artwork. When using this method it is usually preferable to have several brushes to work with, this allows similar shades of colour to be used on particular brushes. This ensures colours previous used do not contaminate your current work.

Stylus Usually a double ended tool with rounded tips used in dry embossing or for scoring cardstock. Available in varying sizes for more exact work as in parchment craft.

Template A pattern of a designated shape, usually made from hard plastic such as the envelope and bag templates available. Personal templates can be traced and made from existing patterns/pictures etc for repeated use such as in scrapbooking.

Tone The description given to gradual shading of colour from light to dark.

Translucent Slightly shaded however visibility to the other side can be seen however not with total clarity. Between opaque and transparent.

Transparent Clear to see through allowing light rays to be transmitted to the objects on the other side.

Unmounted A rubber die without a wooden, foam or acrylic block attached. These images can be bought individually or can be purchased in sheet forms of many images and cut by the purchaser into individual dies. Several mounting systems are available to use in conjunction with unmounted dies.

UTEE - Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel An embossing powder made from larger granules of powder than regular embossing powder therefore giving a glaze type effect when melted with the Heat Tool. Depending on the effect required several layers of powder are melted over each other to give a glass like effect.

Valley This is the fold in your cardstock that points down creating a 'V' like a valley.

Vellum Translucent papers available in plain or patterned designs. Very popular in the creation of wedding stationery.

Vulcanizer The machine used to create rubber dies, both heat and pressure are applied to mold the rubber into sheets of images.