Susan R. Opel
It’s pretty amazing that I have been scrapbooking since 1998, and I never really got all that into stamping. I certainly have admired all of the lovely stamps that manufacturers keep making, but it all seemed too messy – this coming from a former middle school art teacher who NEVER did a project with painting or paper mache (don’t worry – we did a lot of other really cool stuff!). But lately, things have been changing for me. What factors have been a part of that?
A. P. Kelly Smith – Paper Crafts magazine’s Online Editor Extraordinaire – Oh, Miss Kelly! Her cubicle is right behind me, and she keeps trying to prod me to give stamping a try. She tells me, “It’s so easy. It saves time. You’ll love it!” So I humored her and gave it a shot.
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I created a Celtic inspired hello card featuring a lovely Lil Davis stamp.
B. American Crafts – At CHA in January, I was walking the floor with Cath, and we came to the American Crafts booth (always a source of brilliant inspiration for me). And guess what they were doing there? STAMPING! And I was like – WHOA – if American Crafts is stamping, I think I am game. So I got my hands on some sparkly green Zing! (AC’s new embossing powder) and went to town!
I created this layout with St. Patrick’s Day in mind as well – thinking about all of the things I feel “lucky” about.
C. Stamp It! Cards – Probably the most important factor in getting me to want to give stamping a try is Stamp It! Cards. This special issue is so crazy COOL! The contributors really showed me that stamping can in fact be trendy and hip! There are so many inspiring designers in this issue, but I am blown away by the stamping prowess of Dawn McVey. I’m sure that you will find each and every one of her designs absolutely exquisite along with page after page of other dazzling designs.
Be inspired to the max by Stamp It! Cards.
So now that I am getting into the groove, what sort of advice can you give me as a newbie to ease me into the world of ink and stamps? Leave me a comment with some stamping tips for beginners, and you will be entered to win my Green Hi Card pictured above as well as this aptly named Lucky collection from Rusty Pickle.
Doesn’t this line just make you want to Riverdance?
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from your Scotch-Irish redhead-by-choice associate editor!
Susan
P.S. Our Stamp It! Week Challenge is off to a great start! Wanna play? To participate, create a stamped card featuring one of the following techniques:
Stamp Kissing
Build a Scene
Creating Patterned Paper with Stamps
Adding Color with Markers
Adding Color with Dye Ink Sprays
Upload your stamped card here from now until Monday, March 23. We’ll pick 10 winners (two per category) to win a fabulous prize package. Five winners’ cards will be shown on this blog and five will be shown on Moxie Fab World. AND once you upload your card, you can turn around and mail it into our Stamping Royalty card contest!
hi susan, here’s one more comment to get you closer to the 100 mark. i am somewhat of a new stamper too and i LOVE using other people’s sketches. i don’t know how they come up with them but not having to come up with a layout helps with the process. i’m sure some of the other people mentioned this too. also, when buying patterned or printed paper, try to get a coordinating cardstock too, that way, you know you’ll have matching paper when you get home.
I’m famous for coloring an image then struggling (sometimes for days) to match the DP to my colored image – My advice is to pick the DP and THEN color image to match – it’s just too hard the other way round…LOL
Teri
Make sure when you are done with your ink pad you turn it over so it doesn’t dry out.
Your work is amazing so I know your stamping will be too. Stamp sentiments, words, embellishments on your scrapbook pages. You are going to love making cards – use your layouts as patterns for your cards.
Since cards are very small areas, it’s important to make sure you’re lines are straight and even. Crooked lines are very noticeable since the area is small. Also, until you are more comfortable, keep it simple. Simple cards are very elegant so don’t feel like you need to fill the entire card front with stuff. Another tip, make a card front then, after decorating, mount to a white card base. This will keep all the brad legs, stitching, ribbon tails, ect., out of sight and gives your card a finished look on the inside and outside.
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My newbie advice would be- don’t be afraid to mix and match your stamp sets. Combine different elements and feels from different sets to make your projects interesting!
Remember that new stamps may need to be conditioned first before they will take ink well. For the best impression, particularly on clear stamps, you may need to lightly buff the surface with a fine emery board. Others like to use a white eraser. This helps remove any residue left from the manufacturing process that might make the stamp repel the ink. If you condition it right, you should be able to use dye inks with your clear stamps and get great results!
ME TOO……..I just started stamping and am having a blast. One thing I like to do is stamp, cut the image out, and adhere to my card or page with pop dots. (Honestly I’m so new to it, this is my only tip)
my best tip is to CLEAN YOUR STAMPS! i spray a sponge with windex and just stamp the stamp on the sponge a couple times to clean it, then stamp it dry on a paper towel.
I have used the same stamp to make a birthday, thank you, thinking of you, get well, and sympathy card. Some stamps are so versatile.
I would say, in the beginning, less is more. Try creating more with one stamp and bring out your versatility rather than have too many to choose from and not know what to do with them, or only making one style card. Don’t buy 10 of this or that, or everything under the sun, even if you take a class, buy in moderation, (1 or 2), and use it alot, play and test, before you invest in the rest. Learn and above all else ENJOY! Have fun!