simple stamping I

Confession: I am not a fancy stamper.

Even though I've taught many many technique based stamping workshops, I don't actually use most of those techniques. I rarely color things in, I don't use copics, distress ink or resist techniques, I hardly ever mask anything off, I don't use mists or alcohol inks, and I don't use very many embellishments. This is not to say that I don't use any techniques...but the ones I love are super simple.


So in celebration of "Stamptember" here are some of my favorite basic techniques .

Favorite #1: the repeat

I love doing this with sentiment or graphic stamps...simply line them up straight, diagonal or create an offset pattern and repeat over and over again in a neutral color and then somewhere...the end, the middle, wherever...stamp one in a bright pop of color. A single stamp can make a great background. You can cover the entire card or cover a smallish piece of paper and punch or diecut a shape.

Favorite #2: fussy cutting

Okay, yeah, I know, this is not for everybody. These days people have lots of options for cutting besides using your own two hands and a pair of scissors. But I still like it and I still do it despite owning just about every cutting contraption known to man...I use those too by the way.  I like giving my cut images a bit of dimension by using pop dots or some sort of foam adhesive. I love that a lot of stamp sets now come with matching dies.

Favorite #3: embossing


What stamper doesn't love embossing? Even though it's kinda bordering on fancy, I consider embossing a pretty basic technique and one of the best ways to get a lot out of your stamps. I love that I can make a pretty ho hum card a little glittery or glossy in a matter of seconds.

Favorite #4: using paint or watercolor

I like prepping a bunch of cards ahead of time with a simple wash of color or bold stripes or circles
then I can grab one at any time and add a sentiment.

Favorite #5: limits

I don't know that I would call this a technique, but it might as well be. If you only have a few sets then perhaps limits aren't really your concern and I don't always do this, but sometimes having all my stamps at my disposal to make one or two cards is a bit overwhelming. So, I grab a few sets or a handful of favorites and work from those.

In case you're interested here's what I used:

color ink, embossing ink
acrylic block
stamp set 1, stamp set 2, stamp set 3
paper
gold embossing powder/ aqua embossing powder
hibiscus acrylic paint

Part two of this simple series will be how I use stamps on things other than cards:)

Fast & Loose

This is pretty much my card making style.

I love to make them. I love stamping and paper and embellishments and sewing...I just like them better when they take me less than 10 minutes.

Two minute cards? okay, I'll cop to a bit of hyperbole there...but you know what I mean.

In an effort to get these cards to come together quickly I always start with a bit of inspiration. I like looking for non card related images in particular. I try to avoid using other card designs as inspiration since I find myself wanting to recreate them rather than be inspired by them.

For today's card I was super inspired by the cover of this simple modern planner. Sad that it's no longer available, but it's really pretty and was easy to interpret.

Wanna see how I did it? Check this out...



Supplies:

Hero Arts Classic Messages 2x3
Acrylic Block by Tim Holtz
Jenni Bowlin  Spice Tin Ink (i think this was discontinued)
Sundrifter 6x6 Paper Pad by Studio Calico
Puffy Stars and Circles Stickers by Twine & Ink (got these in the "Gertrude" add-on from SC)
Labels by me

Sorry some of these items aren't readily available.  I tend to try and get as much use out of my supplies as I can. One of the reasons I love this design is that I can use such a wide range of products...sequins, enamel dots, punched paper shapes, even small stamped images. I think I'm ready to make another two minute card:)