Thursday 24 June 2010

Castaway - or cast out?

I bought a Castaway inkpad. It says to stamp an image (and on the lid it uses nice solid stamps by Hot Potatoes) so I used a nice solid stamp and stamped 6 different pieces of card stock. Some from Kanban, some Core-dinations, some Basic Grey and some coloured cheapskate copier paper. It stamps like a Versamark. The instructions say to leave it for five minutes and then iron it. (I know, but this time it's ART). So I did. In fact, in the end, at the tearing my hair out point, I even timed it and left it for shorter, longer and overnight. Ironing it you see, is meant to set the bleachy component of the ink working and leave you with a lovely batik effect image, almost 'in' your paper.
I can't get it to work. *almost stamping my feet*
It clearly says on the instructions that it won't work with all card stocks, particularly coated and gloss laminated stuff. I get that. But I can't get to work on any of my stock. To the point that 10 minutes after ironing, you can't tell that I've stamped anything on any of the papers. (That's why I haven't pictured them). What am I doing wrong? Anyone know? The Jacquard website says not a lot more than the instructions on the ink pad - why would it, if it works for them! I expect it's something obvious - so please enlighten me if you can. Or just tell me of your experiences with this ink. I thank you. So does my family - having to live with a crazy woman with clumps of hair missing might be the final straw.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

hmmmpff. The only thing I could find was to use your highest heat settings, and that craft irons work best. Also works best with darker cardstock with a white core...You've probably already read all of that, but there's my 2 cents :P xo

Annie said...

I can't help with your problem sorry but I felt I must say I'm with you with the sweeping the room with a glance :-)
A x

Chrissie said...

Sorry Julia, can't help with the inkpad, but as for what's on my Scorpal.
It's a Scor-Mat and it's not glass, it has a self healing mat on one side and a vinylly (technical term) covering on the other. I love it as it means I can use my Scor-Pal as a worktop and keep it out all the time. I got it from Oyster Crafts.

Joey said...

Hiya Julia

sorry I cant help with your problem I can understand your frustration!

the heart is gorgeous

Joey.x

yoursartfully said...

Hey Julia, hope I can help with your Castaway crisis. I found that you need really cheapest of cheap cardstock and the darker the colour the better and the rougher the better. So black, navy, burgundy, bottle green all give good results. I know it said iron the card but I used to blast mine with my milwaukie heat gun anfter leaving it to dry for five minutes. Hope this helps....let me know if this is successful.

Lin

Kate said...

I wanted one of these pads after I saw a demo on QVC. I have to say they got on fine with it apart from trying to iron without leaving it the 5 mins. I seem to recall they ironed for quite a while, the more you ironed the more it changed.

What happens if you use your new inks on the cardstock 1st?

** Kate **

Scrapcat 1 said...

Sorry can't help with the inkpad crisis, hope you get that sorted out, you asked if I had a pricking template on my lamp, no it's a bling template although I have used it for faux stitching as well, it helps me make those lovely swirls with the adhesive stones. :)

G Peplow said...

Hi Julia, good luck with this, I have found it a challenge to find cardstock that it works on. It does work but it's quite a limited reaction. To be totally honest until I read your post this morning I had forgotten that I had it. Shall be interested to hear your results :) xx

Claire said...

Love that heart, I have no idea how to resolve your inky dilemma I'm afraid, but I'm all for your style of house work :)
C
xx

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

I can't help either sorry - now would you rather we didn't bother leaving a comment to say that? LOL However Artfully's tip sounds the best. I never bought one of those pads 'cos I had something similar for use on fabric and thought that would work on card/paper - not that I use it! As for the hair, well just think of all the different looks you could have if you buy a few wigs ;-)
Anne xx

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Just had a thought. When I did a workshop a couple of months ago we did some triple embossing and Dyan said we really needed to get plenty of ink on the stamp, really press the stamp into the inkpad. I know generally we're told not to do that but perhaps you could try it with the Castaway pad.
Anne xxx

Ashley Lydia Durand said...

I love that phrase!!! THat is perfect and your finished product is Beautiful.

Unknown said...

Hi Julia
Got my WOYWW block its fantastic, love it, it will take pride of place in my crafty space, Thanks very much.
Christine x

Nikki said...

Hey Julia
No Idea about your ink prob good luck with not becoming bald I like how it looks though and that's a cute saying, but I made you your WOYWW Babber button pick it up here
hugs Nikki

The Crafty Goat Girl said...

Hi Julia, wish I could help with your problem. It does look very pretty though, good luck hugs Heidi x

Carmen said...

Erm... could you not try just stamping with bleach? Or is that me being totally stoopid? I've never heard of the ink so am no help whatsoever - rubbish crafter really aint I.

LOVE that heart and definitely agree with the sentiment :)

Siobhan Brignull said...

mmh ive got one of them, I think it joined the fiskars circle cutter, the wire thingamiggy in the wish they worked pile but just wish i hadnt spent money on them, boo hoo, recently bought some embossing powder you can foil onto, that will be on the pile soon as well, easiser to use watered down bleach, again need cheap dark cololured card, hope that helps :)

Lyn said...

I have no idea about the ink and I hope never to find out. Ironing clothes is bad enough, and, apart from using my free-with-the-Sun mini travelling hair straighteners to straighten out wayward ribbon, there is absolutely no way jose that I am getting an iron out for the love of my art. However much I love my Art, I don't love it that much.

Good luck with that, old chum!

Paige said...

I can't help I'm afraid I haven't got a clue????? It's been a bit barren over here on the island craft wise :( I'm hoping this weekend away with Sam and Zoe will jig my mojo back into working order.
Thank you so much for the pressie!!! I love it and it's taking pride of place in front of my montior. tell Mr D he's a star :) that cards pretty fab as well!!!!!

Unknown said...

Love the heart and cool sentiment!

Love Dawn xx

G Peplow said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I have never even heard of that ink pad. Of course, you know me. I'm not much of a stamper, so I wouldn't be able to help anyway. I did go to mustavcoffee's blog and saw her results. I hate to say it, but I thought they were puny (no offense to her or her stamping skills). However, I DID like the stamp and stamp pad you used on that heart. Made me laugh. It is SO you!

You know that bald is very fashionable these days.

Tracey said...

I have used this quite a few times-will try and find a card with it on to show you. As previously said, dark card works best. Hope the family are managing with your frustrations lol.

Postie arrived Mr D is wonderful THANK YOU.

Hels Sheridan said...

Hey hun, I bought a Castaway pad and followed all the instruction... naff all happened apart from the card wrinkled a bit til I ironed it... I thought it could just be a dodgy pad but I know other peeps who have found the same. If I want to do bleach stamping, I get some papertowel in a little tray, soak with Domestos (other brands are available PMSL) and then dab the stamp into it... then once I have stamped, I clean the rubber with a babywipe and heat dry the image whilst holding my breath so I don't get a fit of the vapours...hope you get yours to work...oh.. and...

BTW

THANK YOU to Mr Dunnit and You for... you know what xx

Spyder said...

I'm now thinking, did you stamp on it...and did you use a hot potato? Never tried this, although I often get my ironing board out to craft on... even in the name of art...hmmm, mine you, I did (I'm remembering, or I might have dreamt it) iron out some wax drawings I did once... hubby not only had glitter on his shirts from the ironing board, he had waxy bits smudged down the front of his trousers too
(Lyn)