I'm enamored with old and vintage maps. I've collected a few world map stamps but haven't done much with them so I decided to make some old maps to use on cards, journals, etc. I Googled vintage map images (click Images at the top) to see what colors of ink were used and how they looked aged. I made some of mine super grungy but made others with a much less. I also added watercolor pencils on a couple.
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1. Start with smooth ivory/cream or white cardstock - it's easier to get an aged look with cream. I was able to use some of my larger scrap pieces; they varied in thickness and surface. Use a blending brush to apply Old Paper Distress Ink all over. Don't worry if it's patchy - this just adds to the effect. To add more texture and patchiness, use a blending tool with domed foam in a twisting motion; this creates darker areas.
2a. Use a blending brush (I used a small one) with Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink on a craft mat or Glass Media Mat (blending area) - rub brush in ink, tap off on mat, then blend in areas of paper where you want even darker areas.
2b. Optional: if you want a very grungy look, you can add drips/splats by spraying Distress Spray Stain onto a craft mat, adding water, breaking it up with your fingers (or tool, like end of a paintbrush), then tapping paper into it. Use a heat tool between dips to add layers and also to dry final result before stamping.
3. Stamp maps. I listed three map stamps I used in Supplies, further below. The fourth was a very old previously wood mounted stamp; I don't know the manufacturer. I also listed two I didn't use but would recommend; one is the Winnie the Pooh Hundred Acre Woods stamp - so cute! The other, Antique Hero Map, reminds me of a pirate map. To get best results, use a stamping tool, such as Stamp Platform or Misti. Use VersaFine Clair ink for fine detail plus waterproof coloring. On some, I used various brown Distress Inks or Distress Oxide Inks if I didn't plan to watercolor after. These inks may stamp light so definitely best used with stamping tool unless you like that look. Note: you may use a waterbrush with Distress stamped images to add water effects, such as blurred lines. For an even bolder effect, drip of water on the image. Use a heat tool to set and dry ink. I recommend a Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy to clean stamps.
4. Once heat set, cut out images using scissors, paper trimmer, or even dies if you have any that would work (e.g. rectangle dies). Use a Corner Chomper to round corners as desired. You may add more shading/distressing after stamping. On some I added Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink with a blending brush, either in spots or in a sort of frame around the edges. For the edges themselves, I used blending tool with domed foam and Walnut Stain Distress Ink, just coming in a little, then finally Scorched Timer Distress Ink where I wanted the very darkest parts, mainly in the corners.
5. Optional: distress edges by tearing, bending, sanding, or using a Paper Distressing blade. Add wrinkles by bending and inking the bent edge before flattening. For more wrinkles, crumple, flatten, then lightly ink over top to catch the peaks of the crumples.
6. Optional: use watercolor pencils to go around areas of the map then use waterbrush to extend and blend watercolor. I only did this on maps with waterproof ink but you may experiment with Distress stamped images for more grungy look. I tried Arteza watercolor pencils first - they were OK but waxy and not so easy to blend, especially on cheaper cardstock. I had a much easier time using Fabel-Castell Albrecht Dürer watercolor pencils; they blended like a dream in comparison.
Hint: keep your scraps and strips of paper, including inky ones. I'll be posting about how to take those scraps and make ephemera out of them.
Supplies
- Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Air Travel CMS102
- Deep Red Stamps Olde World Map SKU 5X705724
- Darkroom Door Background Stamp World Map DDBS025
- Recommended: Hero Arts Antique Hero map Bold Prints
- Recommended: Echo Park - Winnie the Pooh Hundred Acre Woods Map
- Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Inks (Old Paper, Walnut Stain, Scorched Timber)
- Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Oxide Inks (Vintage Photo)
- Optional: Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Spray Stain (Antique Linen, Old Paper, Vintage Photo)
- Optional: Tim Holtz Stamp Platform or Misti
- Waterbrush
- Heat Tool
- VersaFine Clair Inks (Nocturne)
- Smooth Ivory/Cream or White Cardstock
- Tim Holtz Ink Blending Tools
- Domed Foam Applicator
- Blending Brushes
- Craft Mat or Glass Media Mat
- Corner Chomper
- Optional: Paper Distressing Blade
- Optional: Tim Holtz Ranger Sanding Disks (for Mini Ink Blending Tool)
- Watercolor Pencils (I recommend Fabel-Castell Albrecht Dürer instead of Arteza if not on a budget)
- Recommended: Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy to clean stamps
