Getting Started

Be Creative

Let’s Get Started Stamping!

Hi there and welcome to my stamp room!

I love to share my creative side and want to let you know right off the bat that you don’t have to be “Crafty” to do this.

It’s a fun, creative hobby that you can do by yourself or with friends. When you create a card and share it with someone you are letting them know – they matter.

Below is more information that will help you get started! I know it can be overwhelming but it’s much easier than you think and I would love to help you!

BASIC SUPPLIES

Ink, paper and stamps.

INK

Dye Ink – Use for basic stamping.

Pigment Ink – Stays wet longer for embossing with embossing powders.

Memento – Use with outline stamps when watercoloring or coloring with Stampin’ Blends™. Stampin’ Up! Item #132708

VersaMark® – Clear ink that stays wet; used for embossing and needs to be dried with a heat gun. Can be added to dye ink for embossing. Stampin’ Up! Item #102283

StāzOn® – Permanent ink used on glossy paper, acetate or non-paper surfaces. Stampin’ Up! Item #101406

PAPER

Cardstock (CS) – A heavy weight paper available in 8 ½” x 11”and 12” x 12”. Cut to 4 ¼” x 11” or 5 ½” x 8 ½” and fold in half for an A2 size card.

Two-Tone Cardstock (CS) – Available in 12″ x 12″ is great for handmade cards and other paper crafts. It’s high quality, acid free, and lignin free, making it a favorite scrapbook paper, too.

Glossy – Shiny coated cardstock made for stamping.

Acetate – Clear sheets. Make windows in boxes or cards and use with loose shaker embellishments. You can stamp on them with StāzOn Ink. Item #142314

Vellum (CS) – Translucent paper or cardstock used for overlays. Can stamp and color on reverse side or emboss.

Designer Series Paper (DSP) – Single or double sided paper, lighter weight than CS.

Watercolor – Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper is a thick paper designed especially for watercoloring. Cold-pressed, archival cotton paper. Natural white color with subtle texture. Item #149612

STAMPS

Rubber Stamps – Available with or without wood mounts; foam backed. Unmounted stamps are to be used with clear mounting blocks.

Photopolymer/Clear Stamps – See through for easy positioning; to be used with clear mounting blocks. Do not have foam backing. Use a foam pad for better image.

ADHESIVES

Liquid Glue

Fine-Tip Glue Pen Perfect for adhering small embellishments, glitter, and detailed die cuts to projects. Cap includes pin to keep the tip clear and prevent drying. Item #138309
Multipurpose – Securely adheres small embellishments. Includes narrow tip and broad tip. Strong bond; dries clear. Item #110755

Tape runner

Stampin Seal – Instant-bond, permanent adhesive. Holds cardstock and ribbon. Acid free. Item #152813
Stampin Seal+ – Instant-bond, permanent adhesive. Strong seal adheres 3D projects and heavier layers securely. 16.4 yards (15 m) each. Acid free. Item #149699

Dimensional

Mini – Double-sided adhesive foam dots add depth and dimension. Great for heavier embellishments, too. Instant bond. Acid free. 1/4″ Item #144108
Standard – Instant-bond, permanent adhesive. Holds cardstock and ribbon. Acid free. Item #152813
Strips – Sheet of white adhesive foam strips. Use on shaker cards to add depth and dimension. 1/8″ x 9″ Acid free. Item #141825

Tear & Tape – This will have you ready to adhere with ease. The strong, acid-free adhesive is perfect for multiple uses; it can be torn to fit just the right size. Tear off the size you need, place the adhesive, then remove the backing sheet and you’re ready to stick with it! Item #154031

Glue dots – For embellishments Stampin’ Up! Item #103683

Double Sided Tape

SUPPLIES FOR COLORING IMAGES

Coloring

Stampin’ Blends™- Alcohol markers for coloring. Cannot be used to ink a stamp.
Stampin’ Write Markers™– Dual-tipped (fine & brush) filled with dye ink. For coloring and to ink up select areas of a stamp.
Watercolor Pencils – colored pencils specifically made for use with water. Stampin’ Up! Item #141709

Tools

Aqua Painters – Water filled brush for watercoloring. Stampin’ Up! Item #103954
Blending Brushes – Blend ink beautifully. Apply extremely light shades of ink or create soft gradient backgrounds with no lines. Or use them with Decorative Masks or stencils, The velvety soft bristles blend ink perfectly.
- Small – Stampin’ Up! Item #160518
- Large – Stampin’ Up! Item #153611
Blender Pens – Dual-tipped Clear fluid markers used to pick up color from ink pads or watercolor pencils for coloring. Stampin’ Up! Item #102845
Brayer – Provides consistent ink coverage on embossing folders, stamps, and paper. With a metal handle and plastic roller base overlaid with silicone, this tool is perfect for rolling ink onto your paper crafts with ease! The built-in resting feet make it easy to keep your crafts free and clear of ink when not in use. When it’s time to apply ink, simply make sure the resting feet are facing toward you and roll on! Stampin’ Up! Item #162936
Sponge Daubers – Daub touches of Classic Stampin’ Ink on stamps or directly on projects. Fit on fingers for great control. Stampin’ Up! Item #133733

OTHER TOOLS

Heat Gun Item #129053 – Used for drying pigment ink with embossing powder applied; dries with a raised, shiny look. Can also dry CS after watercoloring.

Stamp positioner – Used for perfect placement of stamps

Stamp-a-ma-jig® – No longer sold by Stampin’ Up!
Stamparatus™ – No longer sold by Stampin’ Up!
Misti® – This is the Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented. Provides consistent stamping for the novice or experienced crafter. Accommodates both red rubber cling mount stamps and clear stamp. A foam pad is included with your MISTI to raise the cardstock when stamping with clear stamps.

Cleaning Tools

Simply Shammy – Reusable stamp cleaning cloth makes stamp cleaning effortless. Just add water, then wipe stamps on the shammy. Stampin’ Up! Item #147042
Stampin’ Mist Cleaner – Cleans ink from stamps. Stampin’ Up Item #153648
Stampin’ Scrub® – Fiber scrub pad with one side wet and one side dry. Stampin’ Up! Item #126200
StāzOn® Cleaner – Best used to minimize staining of red rubber stamps when using StazOn Ink. It is recommended to clean the stamps with Stampin’ Mist after using StazOn Cleaner. Stampin’ Up! Item #109196

INSTRUCTIONS

Choose your paper, ink and stamps.
Create your design.
Lightly tap stamp onto ink pad. Do not over ink or spots or smudges may appear in your stamped image. Clean stamp and start again if ink is in the recessed areas or around the edges.
Stamp firmly on CS. Practice stamping on a scrap paper is unsure of the pressure to apply.
Large background stamps can be inked then turned face up and CS placed on top for stamping. Carefully press all around the inked stamp being sure not to move CS.
There are two sides to CS so if the image is unacceptable, turn your CS over and try again.
Using a mask – stamp the image on a scrap paper or post-it note and cut out. Stamp the image on CS then cover parts of the image with the mask and stamp again. The images should look like they are behind each other.
Use your stamped image to create a tag, card, scrapbook page or home decor.