Stamping Technique: Stamping With Different Colors

*Before you read, please just know that this was one of those posts that no matter how much I proofed it and re-read it, it was all just words. I had a little "help" while typing this up. So if you have any questions or something isn't' quite clear, just let me know. Thanks!*

I thought I would share with you how I stamped the image that I used on the Teacher Appreciation Gift I shared with you all last week. 

I'm sure this technique isn't something new to some of you and there may even be an easier way, but this is the technique I use. I'll throw a little disclaimer out there,  I'm definitely not a stamping expert...Gasp. But I do love the way it looks on cards, scrapbook pages and other crafty projects and I do what I can with the stamps that I have ;-)

Stamping can be kind of overwhelming to some and, like most crafts, can get expensive. You shouldn't let it overwhelm you, just do what you can do even if that means you stamp a simple image with black ink. That is PERFECT for sentiments on cards! 

If expense is a factor check out your craft store's "Dollar Bins." A lot of times they will have ink pads and stamp images for $1. And it is a great way for you to see if you are really going to like stamping or just want to use it occasionally. 

I should also tell you that if you don't have any stamps or inks you can always purchase "digital stamps"or google "free clipart"  The work is already done for you and you can use the image over and over. (Always check the Terms Of Use (TOU), especially if you are wanting to use the image for commercial use.)

There is a lot more that can be said of stamping and getting started. You can google or check YouTube for tutorials. 

Sorry for the little info lesson, hopefully it will help someone. Now on to the fun stuff. 

Supplies: 

Inks: I used red, green, and black-the smaller inks are from the dollar bin

Stamp: The "Inspire" stamp is from the dollar bin

Tape: I used clear transparency tape so I can see through it to line up the stamp

Cardstock

Line your stamp up on your clear block. 

I'm going to stamp the words (sentiment) in black first so I applied the tape to cover all the parts of the apple. 

Ink your stamp. I placed my stamp into the ink pad trying to get as little black on the stamp as I could.

Then use a baby wipe to wipe up any areas that aren't supposed to be stamped. 

The image on the left shows where I got a little messy inking. 

The image on the right shows it all "cleaned" up and ready to stamp the sentiment. 

Now you can stamp your image. When working with clear stamps that have little letters (like the bottom row) be careful to not "smoosh" them when stamping. If you "smoosh" it the words may show up a bit blurry, you'll see in the example below. 

Once you stamp the black sentiment, clean your stamp off with a baby wipe. 

Now you are ready to stamp the red for the apple. Cover the sentiment, the leaf and stem with tape

(Make sure stamp is dry from cleaning it with the baby wipe, it won't stick if it's wet :-) )

Repeat the steps of inking and cleaning as previously mentioned above. 

When you stamp the apple, you will want to make sure that it lines up correctly. 

 Place the stamp on top of the stamped image. Now Stamp away!

For the leaf, you will repeat the same process. 

Clean the stamp with a baby wipe, allow to dry.  

Tape over sentiment and apple leaving only the leaf and stem portion untaped. 

Then line the stamp up the same way as mentioned before

(this time you will also have the apple as your guide.) 

Stamp away, and Ta-da, you have your stamped image!

You can do a couple of more steps to get more of a dimensional step. 

Using the steps mentioned above, go ahead and stamp just the apple image.

Then using your scissors "fussy cut" your image. Or cut your image out as close the image as possible. 

Then apply 3-D foam dots or squares to the back of the image. 

Yes, you see a piece of tape on the back. No, it's not part of the technique. 

That's just what happens when you are trying to "fussy cut" and keep an eye on your two-year old ;-)

Stick the cut apple image directly onto the apple of the first stamped image and there you go. 

This is an example of how I used the dimensional stamped image. I stamped the image on kraft paper, then just added a red mat and some green ribbon to the apple stem to give it even more dimension. 

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial! I would love to know if this helped or if you have any tips or questions for me! 

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Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea: Flower Seed Packet

I'm pretty excited about the tutorial I have for you today. Although my little ones aren't old enough for school, I still have an appreciation for Teachers and all the hard work they do every year. I mean I love my little guy but I don't know how many of him all at once I could handle AND still actually teach them something! :-) 

I have this stamp and I loved the quote on it and I LOVE to garden so I was trying to come up with a way to merge the two together. Then it came to me. I'm not sure if you've ever heard of Hot Cocoa Sliders but Kerry over at  Kerry's Craft Blog has made several of these and they are super cute! So I decided to make something similar only instead of Hot Cocoa I'm going to use Seed packets. Something a teacher could definitely use! 

Supplies: 

• 8 1/2" x 11" Kraft paper
• Stamp or Sentiment of choice
• Patterned paper and cardstock for trim
• Ribbon
• Border Punch
• Hole Punch
• Adhesive
• Trimmer/Scissors
• Ruler
• Seed Packet of Choice ( I used carrot seeds because that is what I had on hand, but you could certainly use flowers or maybe even apple seeds!)

Supplies

Measure your seed packet. Mine was 3 1/4"w x 4 1/2"h. This will let you know the measurement for the wrapper. I added 1" to the height and added 5 1/4" to the width. No real scientific reason, I just liked the way it looked when it wrapped around. 

So my final dimensions are:

 Kraft Layer: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Patterned Paper Layer: 8 1/4"x 3 3/4" 

*when using 8 1/2" x 11" Kraft paper, cut the long side (11" side) down to 5 1/2". Why? because you will get two wrappers the exact size you need. Sounds easy, but if you are like me you will need reminded of this little hint. I'm the one that has to measure three times, not two, just to get one cut right! Two just doesn't do it for me. LOL :-)

It's easier to wrap around if you score the wrapper first. 

I scored the Kraft paper at 2 1/2" and 6 1/8" and the patterned paper at 2" and 5 5/8". You might need to adjust the measurements depending on your seed packet and how much "wiggle" room you want. 

*If you don't have a scorer don't worry, just fold over at the measured spot and use a straight edge to flatten. 

Punch out your decorative trim.

 I used a corner/border punch (you could easily use decorative scissors.)

Cut trim to fit front side of wrapper. 1/2" x 3 5/8". 

Stamp image that you will be using. 

*Update: I now have a tutorial on how to create this stamped image here*

Assemble wrapper with adhesive and punch hole about 1/4" from top

*Remember to put trim on under pattern paper BEFORE adhering pattern paper to Kraft paper. 

If not, well, you just might have to redo this step, not that I would know anything about that....

Add ribbon & seed packet.  

I used about 10" or so. You will want to pull ribbon from the outside in.

 Push seed packet to the bottom of the wrapper then tie ribbon in a bow. 

 

All they have to do is untie and pull on the ribbon and ta-da! You've got seeds! 

You could even add a gift card if you wanted. 

How cute it that?!? 

Pair it up with a cute pot or jar and you've got a super cute and functional Teacher Appreciation gift!

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