We have moved to our new blog home!

Click HERE to visit us there.


Thursday, September 17, 2009

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!

6 comments:

- - Sheryl - - said...

I just learned how to use crayons and watercolor paper - so I do enjoy that technique. I also did a card last night with the versamark and embossing powder. By far a great "touch" and feel to any card.

1CardCreator said...

Great post Cara, and you all did a lovely job on the examples. I love to heat emboss with my stamps. I use an old aluminum pan or a piece of cardboard wrapped in a few sheets of foil, to place under my image while heat embossing. The aluminum heats up the bottom of the image at the same time you are heating the top, so you will never have a problem with curling. ~Diane DCRU DT

Sandi said...

Cara, great piece on stamping, I have been stamping and collecting stamps for about 30 years and have a collection that some times embarrasses me but I still buy them, lol. One of my favorite things is to mask with my stamps, whether I block an area with tape directly on the stamp or do a cut out to create fabulous backgrounds it is always different and unique. Thanks for sharing. Sandi

Carole Beath said...

Cara, love your post. It has a lot of good techniques and ideas. I've been rubber stamping for about 11 years and I have a closet full ...and even with the Cricut and die cuts available, I still rely on my many rubber stamps to give me a nice card or project.
I am just now building up a Copic supply and I love them a LOT.
Carole DCRU DT

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales said...

What a wonderful post! Thank you for the info! I've used my chalks for backgrounds, but never on the actual images! I must give that a try soon ;)

Amber said...

Great post Cara! I have to be honest, I've never tried using markers "on" my stamps before. Might have to try that for an upcoming challenge;)
Hugs
Amber

Blog Widget by LinkWithin