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

VersaMark® Item # 102283 – 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.

Stayzon® – Permanent ink used on glossy paper, acetate or non-paper surfaces.

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.

Glossy – Shiny coated CS made for stamping.

Acetate – Clear plastic used for window cards or boxes. Item # 142314

Vellum CS – Translucent paper or CS used for overlays. Can stamp and color on reverse side or emboss. Item #142314

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

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

Glues sticks, double stick tape item, tape runner (item #104332), tear tape (item # 138995)(permanent and removable) – for general adhesion Glue dots – For embellishments item #103683 Glue pens – For glitter and very small items

SUPPLIES FOR COLORING IMAGES

Stampin’ Write Markers™– Dual-tipped (fine & brush) filled with dye ink. For coloring and to ink up select areas of a stamp.

Stampin’ Blends™- Alcohol markers for coloring. Cannot be used to ink a stamp.

Blender Pens – Dual-tipped Clear fluid markers used to pick up color from ink pads or watercolor pencils for coloring. Item #102845

Aqua Painters – Water filled brush for watercoloring. Item #103954

Watercolor Pencils – colored pencils specifically made for use with water. Item #141709

Sponge Daubers (item #133773, Stamping Sponges (item #141337) and Sponge Brayers (item #141714) – All used for ink techniques.

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 (Stamp-a-ma-jig® Item #101049 and Stamparatus™ Item #146276) – Used for perfect placement of stamps

Stamp Cleaner (Stampin’ Mist® Item #102394) – Cleans ink from stamps.

Scrub Pad (Stampin’ Scrub®) – Fiber scrub pad with one side wet and one side dry.

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.