Happy Birthday Star

 

Make a template and then stamp within it to create this unusual birthday card

I've created a star template and rather than just sponge some paint into the template to create the shape, I have stamped 'Happy Birthday' several times. Remove the template and you have a star that's made up of 'Happy Birthdays'. How cool is that?

It doesn't have to be a star, it can be any shape but for best effect try and keep the shape a simple one. Likewise you could use any greeting within your template. For example you could do the star with 'Merry Christmas', a balloon shape with 'Happy Birthday' or a bell shape with 'Congratulations on your wedding'.

I've stamped all but one of the greetings in blue and used a contrasting red just for one to emphasise it. You could just do them all one colour or maybe do them all different colours, maybe going through the rainbow, top to bottom.

Follow the below link to find out how the card was made

Scalloped Circle Stamping Aid Template

 

How to make and use a scalloped template to create a fabulous design for a greeting card

My mind got thinking after last weeks blog (a square template for a stamping aid), whether I could do other shaped templates. Well the answer is YES! I got playing with a scalloped edged circle die and created this really fab card:

The circle really needs to have a scalloped edge so you can move it round methodically and equally to stamp the same image again and again creating a pattern. You could possibly use a plain circle but you would need to draw feint pencil lines breaking it up into slices like a cake so you can get equally spaced stamped images around it - then rub out the lines when the ink was dry.

I had help this week with my crafting - or should I say hinderance - it's very difficult to stamp one handed! This is my dog - she's over a year old now but does like a cuddle!

Anyway I did manage to get her settled in her basket so I could continue with the blog in hand ..... If you missed last weeks blog on the square template you can click here to have a quick read.

Follow the below link to find out how the card was made

Stamping Aid Template

 

Make a template and use it in a stamping aid to create a circular stamped image

This weeks blog will show you how to make a template that can be used in your stamping aid (such as Stamparatus or Misti) to create wreath shaped images using any small stamps you have. All you need is some card and a square die to make the template. I have used an 8 cm square die but you can go bigger or slightly smaller.

I love this floral wreath. It doesn't have to be floral - you can use any small stamps and I will add a photo, at the bottom of this blog of a Christmas card I have made using Stampin Up's Tidings and Trimmings stamp set.

Its quite easy to make the template which can be used again and again.

Follow the below link to find out how the card was made

Bike Ride

 

How to use a stamping aid to create a card using stamps with multi layers

Sometimes stamp sets have 2 or 3 layers - for example there may be one stamp with an outline of a flower and another stamp that colours in the petals. You have to stamp them one ontop of the other to get the finished flower. It produces a very pretty result but can be a bit fiddly to get them to line up.  I used Stampin Up's Bike Ride stamp set to create this weeks card to show you how it's done.

That's where a stamping aid such as a Stamparatus or Misti comes in. These stamping aids have magnets to hold down your piece of card and a plastic tab that your stamps cling onto. The plastic tab folds across your piece of card and allows you to ink and then stamp your image as many times as you want in exactly the right place.

If the image doesn't stamp very well, you can open the tab, re-ink your stamp and re-stamp your image. As long as you do not move the stamp off your tab or move your card, the tab will always align your image up in exactly the same place. So you can keep re-stamping until you get the perfect image.

I use a Stamparatus to create this card but all stamping aids work in a similar way. I have used Stampin Up's Bike Ride stamp set to show you how to use a stamping aid as it has lots of stamps to create a bigger picture.

Follow the below link to find out how the card was made

Doodle Birthday Wishes

 

Doodle on your card to add extra interest

This weeks card is quite simple but you can add extra detail and interest if you use a black pen to doodle details onto your card. In this instance, I started off with a dashed line around some of the patterned paper, then added extra doodles to the central flower.

Don't worry about your doodles being perfect, straight or neat - it is meant to look a little hand drawn and shabby, that's what gives it interest.

Follow the below link to find out how the card was made