Last week I received a message from a fellow crafter asking for some advice about stamping and card making.
After I use a new stamp set, I never use it again. Instead, I’ll buy another set, create with it once, throw it in my drawer, and buy another set. I don’t know what else to do with a set I’ve already used. Any suggestions?
I totally related to the question and thought it was best to share my answer here as others may be in the same boat or in a creative rut.
About a month ago, I created a card with stamped feathers on it, see it here. I really couldn’t think of any other way I could incorporate feathers on another greeting card, so I decided to put myself up to the challenge. I had 30 days to come up with another feathery design.
See how I waited til the last-minute? Actually, I thought of the design about 11 days ago, but I’ve been super-duper busy and couldn’t create it until now.
Anyway, I find it helpful to look at project in terms of formatting. What options are available to me? Here are 5 ways to get different results using the same stamp set.
- Cut or die-cut the images, it can really transform a card. Before I took the plunge and bought a die-cut machine I’d often cut out the stamped design with scissors – just be sure the scissors are sharp (that’s key). Slap some foam tape to the back of the cut image to give the card dimension. It really does make a difference.
- Only have one color of stamp ink? Don’t fret. Color the stamp with water based markers. If the marker on the stamp dries before stamping occurs, lightly mist water over the top.
- Instead of using white paper for stamping or die-cuts, use kraft paper, colorful cardstock, or scrapbook paper.
- Put a new spin on stamping with heat embossing. There are so many colors of embossing powders that sparkle and shine and really make stamps stand out. For more on embossing, visit my class over on Skillshare and receive two months for free.
- Add layers and embellishments. Glitter, confetti, sequins, dots, ribbon, and bows help make a stamped project visually appealing. It doesn’t have to get expensive either. Look around the house (kids always have fun trinkets). The raffia I used in this card was from my gift wrapping drawer.
Get inspiration from Pinterest. So many creative ideas are floating out in Pinterest land. Improve an idea and add a personal spin to it!
With this card I decided to stay away from the colorful inks and focused on die-cutting and heat embossing instead. Check it out.
Supplies
- Feather Stamps/Dies
- Die Cut Machine
- Embossing Powder Set
- Heat Gun
- Acrylic Block
- Ink Medium
- Brush Pen
- Adhesive
- Raffia
- White Cardstock
- Kraft Cardstock
Step One
After prepping the embossing area (for more on stamping and embossing, visit my class over on Skillshare are receive two months of classes – free), I placed my feather stamps onto an acrylic block, applied this ink medium to the stamp, and stamped the white cardstock.
Step Two
Selecting the embossing powder colors for the feathers was easy. I wanted fun bright colors and went with this set by Ranger and includes hot pink, lime green, and turquoise. After the images were stamped, I covered each area with embossing powder and set it (melted it) with a heat gun.
Step Three
Next, I used the corresponding dies and die-cut machine to cut out the image.
Step Four
With a brush pen, I lettered a greeting onto an 8×4 piece of kraft colored cardstock, then glued a yellow dotted piece of leftover scrapbook paper to the bottom portion of the card.
Step Five
Then I wrapped and glued some raffia around the card right where the kraft colored cardstock and yellow scrapbook paper come together. Last, I glued the flat card to the folded white cardstock, glued the die-cut feathers, and placed a (raffia) bow right on top.
