Dad card

• Vintage Travel patterned paper
• Desert Sand cardstock
• June Word Puzzle stamp set
• Desert Sand and Outdoor Denim inks
• Brads
• Card pattern: Wishes – Three In A Row (see p. 41 for assembly instructions)

Here’s an example of a crumpled piece of paper that has been inked with a stamp pad:

Here’s the completed card:

Check out the complete Stamping 101 series for more tips and techniques!

Happy Card

• Bella patterned paper
• Smokey Plum, Hollyhock and Olive inks
• With Love stamp set
• Brads
• Card pattern: Wishes – Left Eclipse (see p. 64 for assembly instructions)

Here is a sample of the masking technqiue:

Here’s the finished card:

Check out the complete Stamping 101 series for more tips and techniques!

Love card

• Silhouette patterned paper
• Spot On Backgrounds stamp set
• Soul Mates stamp set
• Cranberry and Black inks
• Button w/Fiber
• Card pattern – Wishes: Small Wonder (see p. 101 for assembly instructions)

Here are examples of the “kissing” second generation, “kissing,” and “kiss and twist” stamping techniques:

Here’s the completed card:

Check out the complete Stamping 101 series for more tips and techniques!

Hello There card

• Twitterpated patterned paper
• Sorbet and Cocoa cardstock
• Hello There stamp set
• Chocolate and sorbet inks
• Liquid Glass
• Ribbon Rounds – Chocolate Collection
• Card pattern – Wishes: Middle Ground (see p.19 for assembly instructions)

Here’s an example of an image that’s been “rolled.”  The inside of the hedgehog is inked in the lighter Desert Sand while its edges are inked in Cocoa.

Here’s the completed card:

Check out the complete Stamping 101 series for more tips and techniques!

Dream card

• Unforgettable patterned paper
• Aspiration stamp set
• Desert Sand and Sorbet inks
• Juniper grosgrain ribbon
• Card pattern – Wishes: Mini Combination (see p. 84 for assembly instructions)

This example shows first, second and third generation impressions:

Here’s the final card.  The flower is a second generation stamped image with a first generation outline image stamped over it.  The sentiment shows first and second generation stamping to create a shadow effect.

Check out the complete Stamping 101 series for more tips and techniques!

Thinking of You card

• Bella patterned paper
• Olive and Hollyhock cardstock
• Cottage Floral stamp set
• Smokey Plum, Hollyhock and Goldrush brush markers
• Smokey Plum and Olive inks
• Card pattern – Wishes: Layered Look

Here’s the completed card:

Check out the complete Stamping 101 series for more tips and techniques!

Happy Fall card

• Many Thanks stamp set
• Hello There stamp set
• Autumn Terracotta, Barn Red, Olive and Cocoa inks
• Chocolate brads – Basic Brad Assortment
• Cocoa cardstock
• Bazzill cardstock
• Card pattern: Wishes – A Cut Above (see p. 49 for assembly instructions)

Here’s a sample of random stamping:

Here’s the completed card:

Live Fast and Stay Pretty card

• Jingle patterned paper
• Juniper cardstock
• Spot On Backgrounds stamp set
• Be Yourself stamp set (silhoutted woman, sentiment)
• Juniper and Hollyhock inks
• Bling
• Card pattern – Wishes: Right Away (see p. 84 for assembly instructions)

Here’s what the stamped pattern looks like on your cardstock:

• Adhesive
• Fine-tip scissors
• Paper trimmer
• Punches
• Pencil
• Ruler

As you get into stamping, you may want to add these tools (if they’re not part of your current stash):

Acrylic blocks – handles used for mounting clear stamps or unmounted stamps

Blending pen – a marker used to blend colors from brush markers, watercolor pencils and crayons, or chalks

Brayer – a paint roller-type tool used to ink large stamps and to create backgrounds

Bone folder – used to fold and score paper; a favorite of cardmakers

Craft knife – used to cut intricate designs (think X-Acto knife)

Cutting mat -used to protect your work surface when using a craft knife

Dauber – a sponge tool that fits on your finger and is dabbed in ink; used to color stamped images

Embossing powder – sprinkle on a design stamped with pigment ink; use a heat gun to melt the powder and create a raised effect; comes in a variety of colors

Paint brushes – use with watercolor and acrylic paints; try to find good quality nylon brushes

Heat gun – used to melt embossing powder; looks like a small hair dryer.  Note: don’t use a real hair dryer when embossing!

Sponge – tap on an ink pad or dab in paint to create textured backgrounds; comes in natural or rounded varieties

Stamp cleaner and scrubber – the cleaner is a special solution designed for cleaning stamps; the pad has a felt or foam surface; spritz the cleaner on the pad and then rub the stamp over the surface to remove ink

Stamp positioner – helps you line up letters, borders or frames when stamping in a specific place on your page

Stipple brush – used to create texture on backgrounds (Watch this video on how to use Texture Tools including the stipple brush)

Tortillion/stump – a tightly-wound stick of soft, fibrous paper with pointed or rounded ends; used to smudge and blend chalks, inks or watercolors

In the coming days, I’ll post video demos using some of the tools referenced above.

Do you use any other stamping tools?  Which ones do you like the best?

In addition to dye or pigment ink pads, there are other colorants you can use with stamps.

Brush markers

These are colored markers with a tip like a paintbrush.  You can use them in two ways:

1. Color directly on the stamp design with the marker.  Huff (make a quick breath) onto the stamp to reactivate the ink and then stamp on your page.
2. Stamp your design with a dye-based ink and then use the markers to color in your image.

Watercolor pencils and watercolor crayons

Stamp your image using a dye-based ink.  Use the watercolor pencil or crayon to color along the edge of your image.  Next take a blender pen or a tiny wet paintbrush and pull the color into the center of the image to color and shade.

Chalks

Chalks provide a soft, subtle look to a stamp design.  I like to use a Versamark pad to stamp my image, then apply colors using a chalk applicator or cotton swab.

Distress inks

Distress inks give your page a vintage or aged look.  You can stamp the image with the distress ink, or crumple your paper and then drag the stamp pad over the paper to get an interesting texture.

Acrylic paint

Water-based acrylic paints are the best for stamps since the paint washes easily from the stamps.  Apply the paint to your stamp using a brush, then stamp your image.

All colorants give you different looks.  As you get into stamping, experiment with the various colorants and see what kinds of effects you can make!

In the coming days, I’ll post video demos using some of the materials above.

Did I miss any colorants?  What kinds do you use?  What are your favorites?