Class taught by Marge M. on 3/4/05

Link to gallery:
http://orientalstampart.com/v-web/gallery/ShavingCreamTechnique

Supplies:

• Can of shaving cream. Non scented best to start with and check to see if cream is nice and creamy or does it spurt out in pieces. Creamy works best.
• Inks, paints from Crayola, ink refills, food coloring. Most kids
  paints will work well.
• Papers to work with. These can be damaged papers even. Shiny papers work well with ink refills. Any paper will do. White or light color is best as color sheets won't usually show after cream put onto it.
• Tray to put cream/ink into. This can be a nice long cookie sheet, one you won't use for cooking again, or you can use a take out try from the grocery. Meat trays ok too. Anything with a small, side lip works. If this is a permanent item do not use it again for cooking, etc. Plastic throw away trays are fine. These can be cleaned and reused for your next project.
  
• Spatula, bread knife or anything with a long, straight side to pull
  the cream off the paper.
• Rubber bowl scraper works well too.
• Tooth picks to use to pick up sides and tips of papers. These will
  keep your fingers clean.
• Newspaper to put onto work space.
• Clear work space.

Step One:

This is a fun technique and so easy. You should have most of the supplies in your kitchen.

Clear a fairly good sized spot to work on and be ready to work there.

Step 2:

Next line this area with newspaper as this can be a bit messy and you don't want any of the ink to stain the surface.

Have pan for cream and ink on the newspaper.

Shake the can of shaving cream very well. Try it and see if the cream is creamy and in a nice line.

If spurting, this will not work well, so be sure it is good and creamy so it will mix well.

Some creams are better than others and some smell badly too.

When the cream is to your satisfaction spray a nice layer on the bottom of the container you are using. You should have a good amount but not enough so you have a pile of it.

Take your spatula or knife and smooth this out so you have a good surface.

Step 3:

When you have this done, take a toothpick or chop stick or something like that and drop spots of ink or paint, around the edges and then into the middle. Eyedroppers work well.

Step 4:

Take a toothpick, or whatever you want to use to mix with, swirl the mixture around. Very gently work the ink into the cream and lift up the edges and combine these well.

When you have a nice design (do not mix these and mash them together as they will not make a pattern) and have swirled the inks to make this pattern, make sure the colors are somewhat blended into the cream. Sometimes they stay at the top of the mixture and don't mix well. Colors vary when blended but you will soon figure out how to work with them.

Have fun... play with the colors. Overlap the colors, try different motions for tapping the dye reinker color. Swirl it, daub it, whatever... see what YOU like.

Step 5:

This is for practice only right now so don't be concerned if it isn't "just right".

When the colors are blended to your liking, take a small practice paper and GENTLY place it onto the mixture making sure all of the paper is covered with the mixture. If it doesn't cover there will be a white areas where the cream should be. This is ok so don't worry about it. You can take a toothpick and GENTLY pull the paper off the mixture and check. If not ok then just put it back into the mixture and fix that spot.

Step 6:

When done, take a toothpick and pick up an edge of the paper and GENTLY pull the whole paper off the cream. Place it onto the newspaper with the cream side up.

Take the spatula or knife and place it at the top of the paper. I turn the paper at an angle as it is easier to get the mixture off the paper that way. Look and see which direction the design is going and GENTLY pull the spatula towards you from top to bottom.

You may have to take cream off the spatula, scraping this onto the side of the pan.

Continue to scrape the cream off and then you can see what you have created.

If you don't like it you can do one again. So not to worry.

Set this aside to dry as it only takes a few minutes. There is a lot left to make another paper and if not you can just add more color to the cream and add more cream if needed.

Step 7:

You can reuse the mixture many times by just adding more ink and cream and if it is used up then the container can be washed and this mixture is ok to go down the sink.

If you have any left over put it into an airtight container and it can be saved for several days.

This is an easy project and kids can have fun doing this too. It may take a few times to get everything the way you want but once you get started it can be really addictive. Hope you like what you made.

Notes:

I forgot to add that most any kinds of papers can be used. Old, sealed envelopes are great for this project and any water damaged paper is easily covered. Colored papers are ok but watch for changes in the colors.

Colors will vary but black and red and black and yellow, dark greens, reds and Oriental oranges are great background colors. You will probably need to work with colors to find those that work with papers you have. Stamping on these is a good way to use them and as you get more experience with the colors you can collage with some of the colors as backgrounds. Matching the colors with your designs, such as the Koi or trees and temples will work ok.

Here are some great links with pictures:
The Stamper's Mall
http://www.stampersmall.com/classes/marbled_background.asp

rubberstampsclub
http://www.rubberstampsclub.com/tips/shaving-cream-technique.html

Lakeside stamping
http://www.lakesidestamping.com/shaving_cream_technique.htm

Stampin Around
http://www.stampnaround.com/shavingcream.shtml

Marge