Stamp Your Heart Out
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Heart-Shaped Valentines Kraft cardstock provides the background for this eclectic grouping of stamped Valentine cards. |
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Whether using background block stamps, stamping strips, or simple image stamps, you can design customized patterned paper of your own. Unleash your creativity on cards that express your style—simple or elaborate. Here are a few ways I stamped backgrounds on heart-shaped Valentine cards.
Simple Pattern Background Stamping
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One-Step Backgrounds Supplies: flat heart cards (Paper Source) • Background Basics: Hearts, Tag-its #11 (Papertrey Ink) • cardstock, button, true black ink (Papertrey Ink) • Limitless Layers Circles, Banners & Arrows dies (Papertrey Ink, Lifestyle Crafts) • pink bloomer (Webster’s Pages) • diamond stickles (Ranger) • tulle (Bazzill) • felt heart stickers (Michaels) • Valentine cards by Ashley Cannon Newell |
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Create basic patterns for a background on any project. You can add simple stamped background patterns on die cuts, like these pre-cut, heart-shaped cards. Use stamps intended for backgrounds, such as polka dots, hearts, or text and a single color of ink for a simple one-step background solution. You can also take a single image stamp to create a repeat pattern by stamping it multiple times in many different directions.
Layered Background Stamping
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Two-Step Backgrounds Supplies: flat heart cards (Paper Source) • trim (Maya Road) • Limitless Layers dies (Papertrey Ink) • Pure Poppy, Whisper White, Bamboo ink (Papertrey Ink, Stampin’ Up!, Close to My Heart) • Sweet Blush and Rustic Cream cardstock, twine, Background Basics: Hearts, Simply Jane stamps (Papertrey Ink) • felt heart stickers (Micahaels) • Valentine cards by Ashley Cannon Newell |
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You can find many patterned paper collections with multiple patterns in one design, so why not stamp your own? Overlap two or more patterns to create a unique look. Start with subtle colors and end with a stronger hue. I started by stamping a white text background and then stamping the red heart background over the top.
Multi-pattern Background Stamping
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Three-Step Backgrounds Supplies: flat heart cards (Paper Source) • Background Basics: Chevron, Rosie Posie, Happy Day stamps; pure poppy and rustic white cardstock; true black, pure poppy, and Hawaiian shores ink (Papertrey Ink) • Happy Day, Banners & Arrows dies (Papertrey Ink, Lifestyle Crafts) • Valentine cards by Ashley Canon Newell |
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Stamp building is a super fun technique to create your own patterned paper. You can use the multi-pattern background stamping technique as shared above or you can mask off areas to attain a more graphic appeal. I stamped a chevron pattern and then masked it off by covering it with another material before stamping the floral and polka-dot pattern on the top half of the card.
Background Stamping Tips & Tricks
- When using stamping strips, use a clear acrylic block and direct task light to see through the stamp and align evenly to achieve a seamless pattern.
- Stamp patterns on cardstock ahead of time to have some on hand when creating projects.
- Use stamped backgrounds and your favorite die-cutter to create your own custom-patterned , shaped embellishments.
- Mask off patterns and combine with other images to achieve a graphic and professional result.
- When stamping a background by repeating a single image stamp over and over again, start in the center of your cardstock, then work your way out to achieve an even pattern.
More Card-Making Ideas
Check out 31 Thank You Cards: 138 card-making tips, tricks, and tutorials for more handmade card ideas that feature stamps and other techniques.
Ashley Cannon Newell works as a legal editor by day, but she devotes evenings to her hobbies: cooking, photography, and paper-crafting. She began stamping in 2008 and is a member of the Papertrey Ink Release Design Team as well as a contributor to the Ella Publishing Co. eBook, Stamping Secrets: 7 sensational stamp sets used 21 ways. Find more of her work at A New Design.
