How do I use Blending Chalks?

[Stamping Kitty]

Hi. I bought some All Night Media "Blending Chalks" at a discount store. Now that I've got them home - what do I do with them? On the back of the package, it mentions using a fixative. What's a fixative? Any tips on using blending chalks, with or without a fixative, would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

[Angelnorth]

Do you have Versamark? One thing you can do is stamp your image in Versamark and then dab the chalk on with a Q-tip - it will stick to the Versamark and you can gently brush away any from round the image.

You can also just rub chalk on to cardstock to make soft backgrounds.

There are probably other ideas if you check out the Resources section (link is up top right of the SCS forum screen).

A fixative just stops your chalk from rubbing off the paper. A very light spray with hairspray has the same effect (probably not recommended for scrapbooking but I do it for cards!).

HTH!

[Stamping Kitty]

That sounds very doable! I'm going to give a try. Thank you so much for your reply.

[Alicesue]

I have used the chalks for edging around paper pieces and cards. Gives a softer effect than using inks.

Also, if you chalk on two or three different chalks (in coord colours) with a cotton ball, then, using a ruller and eraser, rub off lines in a variety of angles, it makes a really nice background. This is a technique developed by Dawn Griffith and she has a tutorial on her website showing how to do this. Really cool! I believe it's called 'Chalk Lines'. Her website link is: http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad...ping_thoughts/

[Stamping Kitty]

Thank you, Alicesue. I found the chalk lines demo on Dawn's web site - I'm going to use that technique - it's beautiful! I haven't come across Dawn's web site before - what great videos - I've bookmarked it - I think I'll be spending a lot of time there. Thank you so much!