Well, it's just plain silly to let a lil' ol' stamp intimidate me, so I pulled out a piece of copy paper and played around a bit. This is a very easy way to cut loose and experiment with those stamps that are blocking your creativity. This simple one-layer card is what I came up with.
Keeping it simple, I used the stamp to frame a sentiment. Nothing cosmic, but I like the results. Unfortunately, I didn't get it vertically centered quite right, so I trimmed 1/4" of the bottom off the card, rounded the corners, and there you go. The "to you" stamp is from Gracious Vases, while the "blessings" is from First Fruits.
Have you ever just played with a stamp on cheap copy paper or cardstock to get a feel for what it can do?
Supplies
stamps: Papertrey
ink: SU more mustard, Memento rich cocoa
paper: PTI vintage cream
accessories: not a blessed one
What a fabulous card! And what an awesome idea! I usually play around with my stamps on the butcher paper on my crafting tables, but then it gets really cluttered and makes it hard for me to think...etc...you see what I mean? Thanks for a great tip! :)
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteI have never thought of doing this .. but it is brilliant!! Why haven't I thought of that before!! Sheesh! And, just for the record, I have not used this stamp from the First Fruits set ... :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, I do that, too. Love this card. I have this set too and don't use it near enough.
ReplyDeleteI don't tend to try out a stamp to see what it can do. I usually dive right in to using it on my project and expect it to work the way I envision it. Yes, that way often leads to madness. Sometimes when I am concerned how a stamp with stamp (like I see the ink beading up on it, etc.) I will pull out a piece of scrap paper or junk mail and try it out on that.
ReplyDeleteLove this tip. Know lots of cardmakers create a sketch first but I just go for it. Will try your theory though and appreciate how you resolved your image being a little crooked ~ sweet. Just found your blog and I'm thrilled. Thanks for sharing your inspiration!
ReplyDeletesuch a stunning card,loved the simplicity of it...wow!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is awesome! First Fruits is one of my most favorite PTI sets and the cards you've been making with it are fantastic. :) I love that bracket stamp and used it last year on my thanksgiving card here: http://www.craftinginsunshine.com/2010/11/happy-thanksgiving.html.
ReplyDeleteAnd your tip to use copy paper is great. I do the same! I can be a perfectionist, so need to "practice" before committing to good cardstock. ;)
I have a stack of used paper from my computer printer that I keep in my craft area. I use it to stamp on before trying my card ideas. Often times I change my mind about the card or the stamp I choose to use before messing up my good paper. I always work out my cards in this manner unless I'm duplicating a previously made card. I also use this paper to season my acrylic stamps.
ReplyDeleteI love how this turned out! Thinking out of the box and playing around paid off wonderfully!
ReplyDeleteJust a thought- if you place a piece of acrylic or a transparency over a piece of paper, you can play on the plastic, wipe off and try again, without wasting any paper.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI often sit and play on scrap paper with my stamps - it's where I most likely to have a Eureka! moment :)
Shame is then I can't bear to throw that scrap away LOL!
Hugs!
Aimes
x
I cut copy paper into 4ths--card size- and experiment with different stamp positions/layouts. Once satisfied with the layout I work on choosing the colors for stamped images if needed.
ReplyDeleteDoing this I find I can come up with some good layouts and when I move to the card stock I stamp with confidence.
Experimenting like this I've come up with multiple combinations using the same stamps. Choosing my favorite often involves laying them all out and leaving them for a day or two--until I can decide which one I like best.
It beats the frustration of stamping a card, not liking it all that much and keeping it because I don't want to waste it.
That's a great idea and this is a great card. But I can't believe you 'forgot' to put bling on the left and right sides where the brackets don't quite meet! LOL!
ReplyDeleteArdyth, I did not forget. I was simply allowing the white space inside the brackets to leak out...no trapped white space. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!
ReplyDeleteYes, I'd say that almost with every project I'm stamping on a piece of 'scratch' paper. I test out a stamp, different inks etc. It is the way I create best.
ReplyDeleteI should use that copy paper trick a little more often. I tend to hang onto my goofs and use the backs and insides to test designs.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the frame you've made from the brackets, so elegant and charming!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to just play on some copy paper. If I did that, then I would eliminate the worry of wasting good card stock.
ReplyDeleteWonderful card and great ideas from other readers. I'm kind of hit and miss on what I decide to do. Interestingly, I gave some stamps to my 4-year old niece and we played with them (and she insisted on keeping them). I got some good ideas from her and a new perspective. You never know where you'll find it, I guess.
ReplyDeletewow, such a simple card with lots of impact! Perfect combo of stamps and colors.
ReplyDeleteYou are brilliant and your creations are stunning. I don't quite get it, yet, but I keep checking back. Next Tuesday a group of us are meeting to make one layer cards for prisoners who are not allowed to receive anything but, so I came to you for inspiration. Wow, did I find it. Your work is impeccable. Thanks
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