Easter Blank of the Month Garden Flag with Iron-on-Ink

Hello all, Lori here, it’s all thoughts of spring flowers and Easter fun around my house right now. Hence, the Easter theme for this week’s  Artesprix Sublimation Garden Flag project. Did you know that you can use your Artesprix Stamp Ink as a watercolor? Well, you can! It is a great technique to use with the Hero Arts - Sweet As Honey stamp set. This project also demonstrates how to use a Reverse Image Word Stencil (created with my Cricut machine) to create a large word image for use with the Garden Flag. Check out the instructions and Mixed Media Quick Tips Video at the end of the blog.

**This post may contain affiliate links. That means that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher, but I may get compensated.** 

What is Sublimation Iron-on-Ink? 

It is an interesting and fun product that allows you to create a design on standard copy paper that can then be heat transferred onto surfaces (must have polyester in it or have a polyester coating). Once the project is transferred to the blank, it is lifetime permanent. Before Artesprix, you would need a fancy printer to experience this level of personalization, but not anymore!

Supplies:
Sublimation Stamp Pad –Black, Rose, Yellow, Brown, Green 
Sublimation Markers, Fine and Chisel - Black
Protective Project Mat 
Decorative Metal Panel 
Heat tape
Protective paper 
Hero Arts, Sweet as Honey Stamp set 
Cricut 
Grafix - Dura-Lar .005 Clear Film 
Computer Paper 
Heat Press

Step-by-Step Tutorial: 

Step 1: Measure your Garden Flag and create a general template for your design.

Step 2: Create a word/phrase stencil in a Cricut Design Space. Make it a  reverse image. Cut image out of .005 Clear Film acetate.

Step 3: Flip the stencil over so that the word is reversed and trace the word from the Cricut Stencil onto paper using a pencil.

Step 4: Trace pencil outline with fine point Artesprix Marker - Black.

Step 5: Fill in word with Fine and Chisel point Artesprix Markers in Black.

Step 6: Stamp floral image (below text) from the Hero Arts – Sweet as Honey stamp set with Black Sublimation Stamp ink.

Step 7: Stamp 2nd floral image from the Hero Arts – Sweet as Honey stamp set above text. Stamp the bee and honeycomb images.

Step 8: Place Sublimation Stamp ink onto craft mat, add water and then use diluted ink as a watercolor to color stamped images.

Step 9: Place finished design onto Garden Flag and secure with heat tape.

Step 10: Make a "Sublimation Sandwich" by placing the Garden Flag between two pieces of protective paper.

Step 11: Heat set using appropriate settings for the blank. This Garden Flag calls for 400℉ with a transfer time of 55 seconds.

Step 12: After heat set, take-a-peek at the image to ensure transfer was successful (do not remove tape until transfer is confirmed). Re-heat if needed.

Step 13: Remove paper to reveal the transferred image.

It is so satisfying to combine the use of different craft tools and products to create a project. The use of the Cricut to create the Reverse Image Word stencil is a perfect example of this. Challenge yourself to explore the possibilities of your craft tools, along with Artesprix products,  to create your next Sublimation project. 

Happy Day!

Lori Warren

**This post may contain affiliate links. That means that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher, but I may get compensated.**