Monday, June 2, 2008

I LOVE TIPS AND LISTS!


As you will notice as you revisit my blog! I have some of my own lists but many come from searching the net. I will be sharing all of them with you! So let me start with this list called the ABC's of stamping by Sara Horton. I think with the wave of acrylic stamps that have hit the scrapping scene any and all tips are welcome! Be sure and copy and paste them to your computer! Enjoy!
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The ABC's of Stamping
Alphabet stamps are a wonderful investment for scrapbookers. Produced in a vast array of sizes and styles, letter stamp sets are both versatile and cost effective. Widely available in scrapbook, craft and education-supply stores, there is an alphabet stamp set sure to meet the individual taste of each scrapbooker.
Uses for alphabet stamps are practically limitless. With a little imagination, stamps can be used over and over again, but look different each time. Try some ideas from this Alphabet Stamp Primer to add interest to layouts.
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Altered Book technique: Mix and match letter styles on a single project to create a "ransom note" or altered look on scrapbook titles or borders.
Bleach: Stamp letters onto cardstock using gel-based bleach instead of ink.
Color: Add a little color to layouts by stamping letters in a coordinating ink color. Or go really wild and stamp each letter in a different color ink. Rainbow stamp pads can be used to give layouts a whimsical look.
Dog tags with embossed words can be altered by heat embossing with a metallic UTEE. While the embossing powder is still hot, stamp with small letter stamps to create a new word.
Embossing powder can be used to give letters a shiny or glittery appearance. Try "sticky embossing powder" to create flocked or glittered letters.
Fill-ins: Stamp letters inside slide mounts, label holders, labels, frame stamps, tag stamps, circle tags or typewriter keys for an interesting title or embellishment.
Glass: Letters can be stamped on microscope slides, tiny mirrors, or sea glass with Brilliance ink for a beautifully transparent and shiny page element. Pigment ink can be used, but must be embossed.
Hardware store finds: Personalize paint chips, laminate chips, wallpaper samples, and other hardware store finds by stamping words of your choice directly on them.
Individualize pages by stamping monograms or names onto cardstock with Versamark ink or colored ink. What a fun way to create your own background paper!
Journaling can be highlighted by stamping some or all of the words with letter stamps. Try stamping the first letter in the journaling with a large stamp to give emphasis.
Kiss off! Give letters a texture or pattern with the "Kiss Off" technique. Ink a letter stamp, then press the inked letter onto a clean texture stamp to remove some of the ink in a pattern. Next press the letter stamp onto the paper. The letter should take on the pattern of the texture stamp.
Leather strips, tags and frames can be stamped in dark brown or black for a faux tooled-letter appearance.
Metal accents are perfect to pair with letter stamps. Be careful when heat-embossing metal - it becomes extremely hot. Hold the element with a set of pliers for safety.
Notions such as buttons, ribbon, and twill tape are fun to personalize with small letter stamps. Create your own journaling strips, quote strips, and word buttons!
Odor eaters can be cut to create your own letter stamps. Like a font or lettering template, but can't find a stamp set to match? Simply trace letters onto a clean Odor Eater and cut out to create a letter stamp.
Paint is inexpensive and widely available. Don't limit yourself to stamping with ink - try acrylic or watercolor paints to add colorful words to layouts.
Q-tips can be inked in a darker shade to add shadows to stamped letters. Walnut ink also makes nice shadow effects.
Resist techniques can be accomplished by stamping letters with a clear "resist" ink, then embossing with a clear embossing powder. Next, use an inked brayer or sponge to give color around the stamped image. Rub any ink off of the embossed letter so that the background color shows clearly.
Stickers, slide mounts and photos can all be individualized by stamping letters and words directly on top of them. Brilliance or Staz-On ink can be used on slick surfaces and plastics.
Transparent elements such as transparencies, page protectors, mica, and Page Pebbles are easily enhanced by stamping letters onto them with Staz-On ink.
UTEE (Ultra-Thick Embossing Enamel) gives letters a thick, glossy finish. Try cutting out embossed letters and adhering to page with foam dots or jump rings.
Vellum can be layered over stamped letters for a muted effect. Try stamping on top of vellum with Brilliance ink for an interesting journaling box.
Washers are a popular and versatile page element. Purchase inexpensive washers in a variety of sizes, then personalize with your own words and tiny letter stamps.
X-acto knives can be used to create your own stencil. Stamp a letter onto a rectangle of cardstock, then cut out the stamped element to create the stencil. Use as part of a title, as the first letter of the journaling, or as a shaker box.
Young scrappers enjoy stamping their names with letter stamps. Use the stamps to help children learn the letters of the alphabet or create an ABC book of their own.
Zone: Try stepping out of your comfort zone long enough to try something new with your alphabet stamps. You may be surprised at the results!

3 comments:

twinkletoe said...

Thanks for sharing. Good luck with your new blog. I'll be checking back often.

Brooke Marie Designs said...

Very good list, thanks for sharing. Congrats on your new blog home, looks great!

Anonymous said...

Neat list!