Creative Chemistry (And A Few Observations)

I completed all three tags for Lesson 5 in Tim Holtz's wonderful online class, Creative Chemistry, on Friday, but honestly, I wasn't too thrilled with any of them.  I had time this morning for a do over, and I have a few observations that might help anyone else who has been less than happy with their results.

OBSERVATION #1

ALL MANILA TAGS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL

I have LOTS of tags.  Some are from Ranger, some from the office supply store, and many are from unknown sources.  There IS a difference.  The two tags I did Friday I now see were done on lighter weight manila, and I really don't like the way they reacted with the inks and stains.  The paper seemed to "pill," and I wasn't happy with the blending either.  Here's an example.  My original tag is on the left, and the new and (I think) improved one, done on Ranger's tag, is on the right:

I don't know how much it shows up, but the first attempt seems blotchy to me, and you can see how much more the first one curls up.  The one done on the higher quality manila has remained pretty flat even with all the liquid layered upon it.  Oh, and by the way, this was the marbled stains technique.  Note:  I do not work for Ranger and I'm not looking to make anyone spend more money than they want to.  I just think that for techniques that involve a lot of liquid, the higher the quality of the tag, the better. 

OBSERVATIONS #2 and #3

I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW THE CORRECT WAY TO RE-INK A PAD

and

IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT TO COMPLETELY DRY YOUR WORK BETWEEN APPLICATIONS OF WET MEDIA

I thought I did, but not until I watched Tim's video earlier in the week, did I find out otherwise.  I had actually re-inked my black archival pad a week ago (but not the right way), and I wasn't getting good impressions when I stamped.  This morning I followed Tim's instructions and you can see the difference in the two tags below:

The other thing I didn't like about my first tag for the stamping with stains technique is that the background stamp, stamped with white, barely shows up.  I believe I didn't dry the tag enough when I stamped.  I made sure the second tag was totally dry, and you can certainly see the white background now.

OBSERVATIONS #4 and #5

NOT EVERY PAPER IS RIGHT FOR A TECHNIQUE

and

NOT EVERY STAMP IS THE BEST CHOICE FOR A TECHNIQUE

For the stained kraft resist technique I chose a piece of Tim's kraft resist paper that didn't have a whole lot of open space, and I corrected that with my second tag.  I also think the stamp I chose had too much open space.  Add to that, it was done before I correctly reinked the archival ink pad.  I chose another piece of kraft paper, a better stamp for the technique, and worked with a properly re-inked pad, and am waaaay happier with the end result.

I actually don't dislike the first tag; I think it's kind of interesting, but not the greatest example of the technique.

I'm all wound up for tomorrow and the start of week 2 of Creative Chemistry.  Have you joined in the fun yet?