Today I am going back to basics and will give you a few tips on stamping and cardmaking which will be especially useful for those new to this great craft.
Most cards are made using half an A4 piece of Cardstock. To cut this A4 in half cut at 14.9cm on the long side of the A4 sheet. Then score at 10.5cm and fold in half to form the card.
If I am adding a piece of card to the front, (as shown below) I usually cut it 1cm smaller than the card front, so it is cut 13.9cm x 9.5cm. Of course you can make this smaller or larger but this is the size I like to use in most cases.
When adding an insert to the inside, I use photocopy paper - size 20.2cm x 14.3cm, then folded in half. I put tape on the front of the insert near the folded edge, and push the insert into the fold of the card. Press down on card. Then tape the back of the insert.
Now to start stamping.
Ink your image. Before stamping onto your card, check the amount of ink on the stamp. The lighter inks will make it harder to see on some stamps. Some inks are very wet (usually the new ones), others are drier. If the ink pad is very wet, gently tap the stamp onto the ink pad. If you push too hard into a wet ink pad you will have ink around the edges of the stamp and you will probably spoil your stamped image. Stamp onto your card. Press down firmly and evenly.
Ensure you clean your stamps after use. Spray Stampin' Mist onto one side of the Stampin' Scrub, rub the stamp over this to remove the ink then rub on the dry side of the scrub to dry the stamp. I only return the stamps into the cases once I have cleaned them, so I always know if they are in the case they are clean.
You will find that some inks will stain the photopolymer stamps. However, this won't affect any future stamping as long as the stamps are cleaned after each use.
Stampin' Up! have many stamps with co-ordinating punches or Framelits. Generally it it easier to stamp first before punching or cutting with Framelits.
Using embossing Powders:
Use an embossing buddy to wipe over the card before using embossing powder. This removes static which minimizes the amount of unwanted powder which will stick to the card.
Stamp the image with VersaMark. The image won't be very visible on most cards. Quickly sprinkle the embossing powder over the image. Remove excess powder onto scrap paper, then return powder to container. Throw the scrap paper away. Check the image for any excess powder before heat setting. Sometimes a flick on the back of the card will remove most of the excess powder from the card. If necessary, a small brush can also remove any excess powder. Do not touch the stamped area as this will remove the powder. Now it's time to heat set the embossing powder with a heat tool. Heat until the entire image becomes shiny. When using the heat tool make sure you move away from the container of embossing powder. (I have seen a whole container of embossing powder heat set by mistake).
Hope this has been of some help. I'll be back with some more tips soon.
Till next time,
Happy Sayamping!
Lesley.
Lesley Jendra,
Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.
www.lesleyjendra.stampinup.net
Email: lesleyjendra@bigpond.com.au
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