I love background stamps.
Love them.
However, there isn't always a background stamp (or I may not have the particular one I need) on hand when I go to stamp a project.
The solution: create your own background from a single stamp. In this case, a single small heart stamp (from American Crafts).
Here's the card I created primarily using the American Crafts clear stamp set I shared on Monday's Blog Post. All stamps are AC. :)
I used Memories White Ink to stamp the heart on the kraft cardstock and create my backaground. I started by stamping a heart in the center and working my way out. That way I was less likely to stamp crooked.
Next, I took Close To My Heart Crysal Blue Ink and stamped the small repeating flower border on Neenah Solar White Cardstock. Then I trimmed the piece to 4 1/4" x 1 1/2".
I sewed a red ricrac trim and a white scalloped lace trim to the small border using my sewing machine. Sewing the trims on with my sewing machine really secures them and I don't have to worry about them shifting or coming loose in the mail or otherwise. ;)
For the greeting I stamped the small label using Memories Black Ink and cut it out. Then I stamped the round label twice: once with Crystal Blue Ink and once with black ink. I punched the center portion out of the one stamped with black ink using a 1" circle punch and the entire blue stamped label with a 1 1/2" circle punch. Then I used some foam adhesive to put the whole thing together. I stuck the greeting in a Tim Holtz Memo Pin and attached it to my card.
Buttons and some jute string complete the card.
Video Tutorial:
SUPPLIES
Paper: Kraft Cardstock, Neenah Solar White Cardstock
Stamps: Always Letterbox Small Acrylic Stamp Set by American Crafts (flower border stamp); Thanks Letterbox Small Acrylic Stamp Set by American Crafts (heart & circle label); Enjoy Letterbox Large Acrylic Stamp Set by American Crafts (label)
Inks: Crystal Blue Ink by Close To My Heart; Memories White Dye Ink Pad; Memories Black Dye Ink Pad
Embellishments: Ribbon & Trim (MM); Jute String (Papertrey Ink); Spring Rain Buttons by Papertrey Ink; Brights Designer Buttons by Stampin' Up; Brad (MM); Memo Pin by Tim Holtz
Tools: Corner Chomper Crop-a-dile; Sewing machine; Tim Holtz Kushgrip Scissors Snip w/Non Stick Blades; Fiskars Stamp Press; 1 Inch Circle Medium Punch by EK Success; 1.5 Inch Paper Shapers Circle Punch by EK Success
How 'bout another example of this technique?
This card was used in Monday's Blog Post's sneak peek:
I used the fleur de lis from THIS American Crafts Stamp Set to create the background. It gives the card such a nice classic feel. I also stamped the butterflies, greeting (same as the first card) and a small border on the yellow paper (I overlayed vellum over it to soften the look a bit).
SUPPLIES
Paper: Tropicals 12x12 AC Cardstock Pack by American Crafts
Stamps: Thanks Letterbox Small Acrylic Stamp Set by American Crafts (circle label and small border); Enjoy Letterbox Large Acrylic Stamp Set by American Crafts (butterfly, label & fleur de lis)
Inks: Memories Black Dye Ink Pad; Crushed Curry Ink by Stampin' Up; Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass Distress Ink
Embellishments: Ribbon Trim by American Crafts
Tools: Corner Chomper Crop-a-dile; Sewing machine; Tim Holtz Kushgrip Scissors Snip w/Non Stick Blades; Tiny Attacher by Tim Holtz; Fiskars Stamp Press; 1 Inch Circle Medium Punch by EK Success; 1.5 Inch Paper Shapers Circle Punch by EK Success
Thanks for stopping by!
