Simply Stamping!

Die Cuts R Us not only has the best selection of die cuts but also has a number of decorative stamp sets which are just perfect for your card making, scrapbooking, paper crafting projects and even home decor! At the DCRU store, there are fun sets by JustRite Stampers, American Crafts, The Greeting Farm and even a Cricut stamp set so that you can create your own stamp. But one of my personal favorites is "Butterfly Wishes" an absolutely beautiful stamp set designed for The Greeting Farm by our very own Design Team sister, Jessica Diedrich!

There's so much you can do with your stamps but I'm just highlighting a few of my favorites. First, there's the lovely soft look of stamping on watercolor paper. Just use a blender pen or water color paint brush to apply color to the stamped image. Sammye Jo used this technique on her cupcake card and the cupcakes look absolutely yummy!!



Another way to achieve a soft look is to stamp your image on cardstock and color it in with chalks by gently dabbing the chalks to your image. Don't rub, just dab gently and again, more yummy cupcakes!


And then there's the use of markers with your stamps. You can omit parts of a stamped image by applying ink onto certain parts of the stamp. For this cake, I used one color for the flame, another for the candle, blue for the cake and brown for the plate. Just breathe on the stamp to remoisten and stamp away.

Or color in your image with Copics. There are still a few left at DCRU and they are still at a crazy low price! Check back because soon there will be another Copic Special Sale at DCRU! Look at this beautiful card that Jessica made using Copic markers! The colors are rich and brilliant and blend together perfectly, don't you think?! The adorable stamp is HG Laundry available at DCRU.

Lastly, there's heat embossing. I use an Embossing Buddy to eliminate static from my cardstock but I recently learned that you could wrap cornstarch in a small mesh sack and that would work just as well. (It won't work for me though, I can't sew!) Another trick is to use a dryer sheet. Next, stamp your image with Versamark or an embossing ink and add embossing powder until the image is completely covered. Shake off any excess powder. Heat the stamped image until it's shiny and raised. Don't hold your heat gun too close to the paper or it may curl up. Now you can leave it as is or color your image any way you choose-Copic markers, chalks, stickles, you get the idea!

That's just a general overview of some fun things you can do with your stamps. How do you like to use your stamps? Leave us a comment as to your favorite stamping technique. Stop back on Monday and I'll show you one of my new favorite stamp sets from JustRite Stampers. It'll be sweet, not scary!