Card Making 101, Chapter 3, Paper and Stamps

Monday, March 11, 2013

Yes! The part where we get to use paper and stamps is finally here. Today I’m using my 6x6 paper pads, and you can find these are your local craft store, or craft stores online. However, using 6x6 paper pads isn’t a requirement in card-making—you can use 12 x 12 sheets of paper, magazine paper; or, even newspaper. Use anything that you want—there are no rules with card making. If you've been keeping up with the card designs I've created in the past, you’ll notice I sometimes don’t even use pattern paper for my single layer cards—Just stamps. So, don’t feel that you are confined to certain types of paper paper—use what makes you happy!
When adding pattern paper to an A2 size card you can completely cover the card base by cutting pattern paper (using scissors or a paper trimmer) that is the same size of an A2 car base (5 ½” x 4 ¼”), create a boarder by cutting a 4”x 5 ¼” piece of pattern paper, or a 4” x 3” piece of paper. The possibilities are ends—and always remember that there are no rules in card making, you can do whatever you want.
 Here is an example of what these sizes look like over a A2 size card base…
Next, I’d like to talk about acrylic blocks. When I first started stamped I had no idea what these were; and, I didn't even know I needed them, LOL. I used to just hold the clear stamp in my hand and apply it to my ink pad, thinking, “This is not very efficient at all”—like it was the stamps fault, haha. I didn’t learn about the acrylic blocks until one of my crafty friends invited me to her house to make cards, hehe. But now I know, and I can share this info with you so you don’t end up doing what I did. These acrylic blocks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they can be found at your local craft store; or, online. This is how they work…
It’s that simple. The cling and clear stamps adhere to the blocks without the use of any tape, or adhesive; and they remove easily as well.

Now, I’m going to show you how to make an extremely simple card using a white A2  card base, the 3”x 4” piece of pattern paper, and a clear photopolymer stamp—along with memento, tuxedo black, die ink.
That’s it! I hope you enjoyed today’s chapter, and I hope this has inspired you to start making your own cards for fun. Let me know if you have any questions! Also, don't forget to come back next Monday for Chapter 4, where I'll demonstrate how to make more cards using the other size pattern papers, and the different types of dies and embellishments you can use! 

10 comments:

  1. So excited! I think I'm going to buy some supplies this weekend and make some cards! Also, what is that roller thing you are using?

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    1. I'm happy you like it! I'd love to see some of your cards when you make some, maybe I can share them here on my blog! Or we can do a link up. The tape glider I'm using is the Scotch Advance Tape glider, here is a link: http://www.michaels.com/Scotch%C2%AE-Advanced-Tape-Glider/sb1460,default,pd.html

      However, you can also use a small glider version, or even regular glue. All found at your local crafts store :-p

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  2. Wow, those blocks are great! I never would've known either!
    ~Sara

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    1. They're cool, right? I love them :-) I'm so lucky to have had a friend to tell me about them, hehe.

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  3. Yay for Chapter 3!
    I love the clear stamps, because they're so easy to clean. We've never used the cling type. Which do you prefer? We have rubber stamps on wood blocks, but I find those can get pretty stained, and they're not so easy for the kids to clean up.
    That tape glider you have looks awesome!!!
    ~Kim

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    1. I prefer clear stamps--particularly photopolyer stamps; namely, because the image transfer is so high quality but in general I really just love any kind of clear stamp whether it be a acrylic, photopolyer, or silicon. The clear stamps are easier to use, easier to clean, and easier to store. I do by cling stamps from time to time--but they have to be really cute in order for me to buy them, hehe. I have some rubber stamps, but I really don't like that it's a hit or miss process, unless you have the stampin' up 'thing-a-me-jig'. You're so right though, that rubber stamps get stained easily but I also have a rubber stamps cleaner and that seems to work really well. Also, the tape glider is amazing! I love it!

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  4. I'm totally loving this series of posts! Had to giggle a bit about the acrylic blocks, I hadn't thought that a brand new stamper might need to be enlightened about how to use clear stamps. I love that you are using your experience to share with new stampers.

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  5. Thank you, Nancy! I'm having a lot of fun sharing this :-p

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  6. I have ordered several stamps now but I cannot use them because I am still undecided on what inks to use. Hehe. But I will get a Memento in black and brown as a start. Oh wait, I also do not have any acrylic blocks. LOL.

    Can't wait for the next class. :)

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  7. I finally got around to creating my own cards and I've been using the acrylic stamps. However, I've noticed that the stamp comes out splotchy and not that clear. Could that be my ink? Should I buy more expensive ink? I just bought the store brand from Michaels just to test it out

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