Trend Watch – Stretch Your Stamps

I love to see all the new products and trends in the paper crafting industry but I have to admit that I can’t afford to buy everything I like (okay, not a big confession though, I mean: who can afford that? haha). So this week we are going to take another approach to trends – we’re going to share some tips with you on how you can stretch your stamps by looking at creative ways stampers from around the blogosphere have been stretching their own stamps! This is especially great for those Christmas stamps you bought that otherwise would be waiting for you ’till next year.

Tip 1: Use your stamps to create great custom backgrounds.

If you have some little stamps you can repeat them on your cards and you’ll have a great background. The little anchors Laura used for her card are great for this!

Thanks for being my anchor by Laura Sterckx, image source Making cards is fun

If you stamp with Distress ink you can ‘activate’ the ink with water and you’ll get a watercolor effect. You can get beautiful effects by mixing different colors like Dawn did on her card. (on her blog is another great card where she die cut a background she made with this same technique)

Cheers by Dawn Woleslagle, image source Stamp away with me

Tip 2: Use the stamps for more than ‘just’ scrapbooking or card making.

Like this beautiful wrapping paper Mayuri made with Winnie and Walter stamps.

Wrapping paper by Mayuri, image source Winnie and walter

You can even stamp on fabric, like Kimberly did for these embroidery hoops.

Embroidery hoops by Kimerly Crawford, image source For the love of paper

Tip 3: Make a new image with your stamp

You can even stamp with the back side of your stamps. I never thought of it, it probably won’t work with every image but it works beautifully on the card Craftilicious made.

Peace on Earth by Craftilicious, image source Make the day special

Cover up a part of your stamp or just cut out only a specific part of the stamp. You can alter your stamps by stamping only parts of them. Kathy made her Christmas stamps suitable for everyday in the year this way. She removed the little number that’s on the stamp and now it’s just a little bird.

Bird card by Kathy Racoosin, image source Ellen Hutson

Or repeat your stamps to make a completely new image. Jennifer made a great flower image out of a crystal stamp. Just repeat the stamp clockwise and you’ll get a great new image! It works a bit like making the backgrounds but now you’re making a focal point for your card instead of a complete background.

Hello Friend by Jennifer McGuire, image source Jennifer McGuire ink

And even though it’s the idea of stretching your own stamps, I have a supply list for you with stamps and materials that are used here in case you are interested.

Dockside stamps by Wplus9

Distress mini ink pad kit #1 at Ellen Hutson

Avery Elle, Joy to the World stamps at Make the day special stamp store

Hero Arts Christmas Crystals stamps at Simon Says Stamp

Wow embossing powder metallic silver regular at Simon Says Stamp