Getting more from your stamps

Hello!

I'm here today to show you some ways to get even more out of your stamps.

I know all too well, that 'gotta-have-it' bug that can hit us in this crafty world, but sometimes we need to be able to make a card or project quick-smart using only the tools we already have.

So I've made two Christmas cards, using very few Christmas-themed stamps.

In this first one, I sketched a circle in the centre of a strip of kraft cardstock, then I took the larger leaf stamp from Fresh Blooms and stamped it  in a circle (I butted the 'base' of the leaf up with the circle so that they were all touching and nice and even).

Then, for the string hanging the wreath, I used the Little Tangles set and masked off most of the swirly stamp image using some sticky tape (Scotch tape) and inked up the small portion I needed. Then I removed the tape, (which reveals a sparkling clean stamp, except for the part you wanted inky :)) and stamped it above the wreath. I really love how the twirly pattern gives the card a little movement, as though the wreath is almost bouncing up and down. I also stamped the sentiment beneath the wreath.

Next I took my Prismacolor Pencils and coloured them in using gorgeous bright, vibrant greens. I didn't over-blend the colouring in, as I wanted it to look hand-done. I love how bright the Prismacolor pencils stand out against the kraft--its so lovely in real life.

To finish off, I carefully tied a TEENSY bow (seperately from the card) and adhered it on top of the wreath using a gluedot. Lastly I swiped some white Colorbox ink around the edges to set the whole piece off more. It helps to define the edges of that panel of kraft and allows it to stand out more from the backing cardstock. It also makes the edges seem more purposeful, and allows your eye to 'stay focussed' on the wreath, rather than wandering around looking for an end-point.


Now onto the second card! A totally different look, but fun to do nonetheless!

 

I stamped the tree from Little Bear and a pile of presents from Elves at Work, then using the same 'masking' technique from the last card, I took the swirly stamp from Little Tangles set and I masked off two of the three 'lines', then I inked it up, removed the tape carefully, and I stamped it across the top of the card, on a slight angle. Next I coloured in the loops (along with the tree and presents) with copic markers and voila! Christmas Lights!

Lastly I added some gems to the tree-for lights, some glossy accents to the christmas lights hanging from the ceiling and a sentiment!

I really love how this little scene came together quite quickly and only used one christmas set. (for the presents and the sentiment). You could easily have substituted something else for the same type of scene though.

Well that's it for me!

I hope I've given you some ideas on how to use your stamp sets in a way you might not have thougth of!

Don't forget the first challenge is up over at the Little Tangles Challenge blog! We'd love to see what you make--perhaps something inspired by today's post?

See you again soon!

Linda x

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