Using stamps in your projects

     When I first started "creating", it was with rubber stamps and making cards - my first project was my daughters birth announcements almost 21 years ago.  I collected a boat load of stamps I just thought I needed...(and haven't used much), as well as cardstock, patterned paper, books, and what ever else I could find.  Scrapbooking was not much better - collecting every supply known to man kind, but not knowing what to do with all of the stuff I had bought in the first place.  I really thought God had a contest going on - 'she who dies with the most scrapbook or rubber stamps WINS', buying everything instead of learning what to do with all of it!!!  
     Sometimes creating is all about playing around to achieve a certain "look" and feel for the project...other times it is all about taking that sketch and making sure your project is perfect - depending on the project itself.   When I first started stamping I struggled with the projects I was doing, just because I really didn't know what I was doing at the time.  Yet when you combine scrapbooking with rubber stamping, you can do a lot with the supplies you have for BOTH crafts and help to save money while you are at it!  
     With the card example shown above, I used a bow punch, Sizzix die cuts, floss, and a white embossed saying...then the background of the card was a theme appropriate stamp in a matching color.  With the layout example, I used a simple heart stamp in a coordinating color for the background of the layout on both sides of the 2 page spread, adding simple tags with floss to finish up the look.    
     Of course with stamps you can make cards, such as thank you, thinking of you, baby cards, anniversary cards, and birthday cards even.  You can do backgrounds with your stamps, not only on your layouts, but also the background of your cards too.  Make one of a kind embellishments for your scrapbook layout, and you can use the same stamp on a card you need to make too.  The good thing is, you can always use the stamp over and over again, just make sure you are cleaning the stamp after you are done with it in order to keep the stamp working good for a long time to come.  Simple water, an old toothbrush, and then lay them out on paper towels will be sufficient to keeping them clean!  
     I love using stamps, especially to save money on what I am needing to make.  Every little bit helps, no matter what you save on!  Plus if you are using up what you already have at home and available to you, what could be even better!  I hope you have a great time learning a bit about stamping!  

Lynda Jeffs

Memories in Tyme