Stamping Tips
Adhesives
Keep a supply of different adhesives on hand. Glue sticks, adhesive dots, tape runners, double-sided tape, etc.—each type may be better-suited for a particular type of project than another.
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Embellishments
A trip to the dollar store will give you many storage options for all those sequins, beads, and brads. Pick up a divided storage tray (with a lid of course) and organize by color.
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Work in Progress
If your stamping project is one that you cannot finish in one sitting, store all your materials in a large zip lock bag. No more lost embellishments!
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Craft Space
Before you begin a stamping project, lay out all the materials and equipment you need. When it’s time to use the heat gun, it will be all ready and plugged in.
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Cleaning Clear Stamps
Clean your clear stamps while they are still on the acrylic block. This makes it easier to work with them, particularly small ones.
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Cleaning Wipes
Keep a stamp cleaning wipe next to you while you are stamping. Place the stamp rubber-side down on the wipe when you are not using it. This keeps the ink moist and makes it easier to clean up when you are finished.
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Paper Cutter
Keep an extra blade for your paper cutter on hand at all times. Dull blades make it hard to cut nice, straight edges.
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It’s Nice If…
If you like to add machine stitching to your projects, it’s nice if you can use an inexpensive sewing machine that you keep just for that purpose. It’s definitely nice even if you can’t have a separate machine that you do have separate needles. Sewing through paper can be tough on needle points.
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Sort Your Paper
Sort and store your cardstock and papers by color, rather than by size or type. Now it's easy to find just the right pink!
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Scoring
Need to score fold lines at intervals? Use the measurements on your paper cutter and score with your bone folder along the cutting edge.
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Markers
Store your markers either flat or in a container with the point down. This will keep the point moist and ready to use.
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Cutting Paper
When you cut cardstock into the right size for a card, cut several at one time. Save the extras in a zip-lock bag. The next time you begin a card, you'll have it already started.
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Geometric Punches
Use round, square, or other geometric-shaped punches for small shapes you need. You'll get a more uniform result than if you try to cut them out with your scissors.
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Detail Scissors
Keep a pair of tiny, sharp-pointed scissors in your work area just for cutting out tiny details or intricate curved edges.
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Glitter
Accent stamped images with glitter for extra pizzazz. Glitter is available in many colors.
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Stamping on Embellishments
Large embellishments such as brads or buttons can also be stamped with small motifs to use on your pages.
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Stamping on Ribbon
Stamping can be done on ribbon, too! Create a title for your scrapbook page on ribbon, or add a ribbon border with a small, repeating motif.
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Other Ways to Use Inks
Inks aren't just for stamping. Use them to tint the edges of paper or to create a background on your page.
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Corner Motifs & Frames
There are some beautiful stamps created just for the purpose of corner motifs and frames for your photos or journaling. They really add an artistic touch to your page.
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Titles
Alphabet stamps come in all shapes and sizes and are ideal for creating titles on your scrapbook pages. For a more formal page, keep the letters on a straight baseline, and for a lighthearted page, make the letters dance!
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Using Chipboard
Chipboard letters or motifs are perfect for scrapbooking. Color them with ink or acrylic paint. You can even stamp on chipboard!
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Journaling Idea
If you don't want to do all of your journaling with stamps, just stamp the first letter of each word or each line, then handwrite or computer-generate the rest.
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Layout Sketches
Layout sketches can help you decide how to place elements on your scrapbook page before you start cutting, stamping, and gluing.
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Stamping on Photos
Quick-drying dye inks can be used to stamp an image on a photograph. Add a bird to a blue sky, or a lighthouse to a beach scene.
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Standard Size Pages
When making your layouts, stick to standard sizes—for example, 12 x 12, 6 x 6, 8.5 x 11. Scrapbooks are more readily available in these sizes.
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Preserving Photographs
To preserve your original photos, use reprints or photocopies instead.
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Backgrounds
Stamps aren't limited to just titles or accents. Use an icon or pattern stamp to create a background on any scrapbook project.
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Preserving Stamps(2)
Make sure stamps are completely dry before storing them. Line your storage container or drawer with paper towels to absorb any moisture.
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Preserving Stamps
Keep your stamps out of direct sunlight, preferably in a dust-free container.
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Cleaning Stamps
Thoroughly clean your stamps before putting them away in order to keep them in good condition. A stamp scrubber pad will help clean ink out of tiny crevices.
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Organizing Papers
Sort your papers or cardstocks by color. Store them in dust-free containers or drawers, or in large ziplock bags or plastic sheet protectors.
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Organizing Wood Stamps
Organize your stamps by category - holiday, florals, expressions, etc., so you’ll be able to quickly find the stamp you want when you need it.
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Storing Clear Stamps
Slip your clear stamps into clear plastic sheet protectors and store them in a 3-ring binder.
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Storing Tools & Supplies
A tabletop lazy Susan is a convenient and accessible way to store stamp cleaning supplies and tools.
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Catalog of Punches
Create an index card file of all punches. Use each one on an index card. Organize the cards in a file box by size or type.
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Occasion File
Create a list of all the occasions/people for which you need cards. Organize the list by month.
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Identifying Embossing Powders
Depending on how you store your embossing powders, mark the lid of each of your embossing powders with the color inside.
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Embossing Powder Samples
Use an index file box to keep actual heat-set samples of all your embossing powder colors that you create on index cards. If you use clear embossing ink to make your samples, you will have the truest color.
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Ink Swatches—Shopping
Stamp each of your ink colors on a 1" square of cardstock. Punch a hole in the squares and store them on a ring. Take the ring with you when you go shopping to match ink colors with new papers.
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Ink Swatches—Home Storage
Create an index card file of all ink colors. Stamp each ink color on an index card. Organize the cards in a file box by color or type.
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Indexing Inks
If you store your inks in a drawer, create an index of those inside on a card mounted by the handle.
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Indexing Stamps
If you store your stamps in a drawer, create an index of those inside on a card mounted by the handle.
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Pillow
Remove the pillow form from a purchased pillow and stamp the front of the pillow cover with images of your choice. After the images are dry, reinsert the pillow form and enjoy your one-of-a-kind throw pillow.
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Chair Rail Border
Use stamped images with paint to create a border just above a chair rail. Foam stamps are ideal for this as they are easy to use on slightly uneven surfaces.
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Festive Napkin Rings
Stamp small images onto strips of ribbon. Tie in a bow around rolled napkins for unique napkin rings.
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Candy Dish
Fill your candy dish for your next party with small chocolates that you have wrapped with stamped strips of paper.
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Picture Frame
Create an inexpensive picture frame by stamping on a purchased mat. Add an easel back for a table frame or a hanger for the wall.
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Stack 'em Up!
Purchase plain cardboard boxes in a variety of sizes at your local craft store. Stamp the lids and sides with your favorite images and embellish as you wish. Stack them for a decorator touch. You can even use them for storage and no one will know!
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House Plant Stakes
Cut out stamped images and attach to dowels for plant stakes for your house plants. Stamp seasonal images and change for the season or holiday.
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Garden Stakes
Forgot what you planted in that row? Use alphabet stamps to create markers. Finish with a clear acrylic sealer to ensure the marker lasts until the plants mature.
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Yard Sale Furniture
After putting on a coat of paint, add stamped images to personalize the piece. Apply a coat of clear acrylic sealer to ensure the design is permanent.
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Designer Napkins
Stamp your favorite outline-style or letter stamp in the corner of a fabric napkin. Embroider in Stem or Back Stitch in a complementary color of thread. You'll have one-of-a-kind designer napkins!
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Place Cards
Hand stamp a place card for each guest for your next dinner party. Everyone finds their seat while the food is still hot!
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Party Buffet
Print out the menu for your buffet and embellish it with stamped images. Put the menu on an easel at the beginning of the buffet line. No more guessing what's in that casserole!
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Party Tablecloth
Turn a paper tablecloth into a customized party accessory by embellishing it with your stamps. Choose a design to match your theme, and either stamp with ink the same color as the tablecloth for a textured look or a complimentary ink color for a designer look.
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Personalize Your Acrylic Block
To personalize your acrylic block, you can take rub ons and put your name or a fancy design on the side of the block.
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Patterns
Save patterns and templates to use on future stamping projects. You never know when you might want to make that bookmark or folded gift bag again!
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Stamped Gifts
Think outside the box when it comes to stamping and making gifts. There are all kinds of projects you can make or items you can embellish with stamped images. A handmade gift is always special!
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Magnets
Stamped images can be made into magnets too. Simply add an adhesive-backed magnetic strip and decorate a refrigerator, locker, or filing cabinet.
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Ornaments
Create an ornament from a stamped image. Cut out the image, punch a hole in the top, and add a piece of cord or ribbon. For extra durability, add a backing to the image.
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Gift Bags
Use your stamps to create one-of-a-kind gift boxes and bags. Add a coordinating card for a cohesive look.
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Fabric Scraps
Just made a stamping project on fabric? Be sure to save your fabric scraps; you might be able to use them on a future project.
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Stamping Embellishments
Use your imagination when embellishing your stamping projects. Buttons, brads, ribbon, charms, etc. make perfect additions to albums, gift bags, and more.
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Extending a Background
When creating a background, make some of the images extend beyond the edges of the card. Be sure to place a piece of newspaper or scrap paper under the card to avoid getting ink on your work surface.
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Frames
Can't find the right frame for that special photo? Stamp an unfinished wood frame with stamps that enhance your photo and apply a clear sealer.
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Keep ‘em Clean
Always clean your stamps after using them. Dried ink can make you think you’ve inked an area you really haven’t.
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Don’t Forget the Envelope!
The envelope is part of your project too! Stamp it with an image or two for a coordinated look.
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Coloring the Edges of Cards
Add color to the edge of your cardstock or paper by simply dragging it over your ink pad.
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Foam Tape
Add dimension to your cards by placing foam tape behind your cut-out images for a raised effect.
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Protect Your Work
Use zippered bags to store your finished cards. The bag will protect your card and 3D embellishments until you are ready to send it.
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Stamped Backgrounds
If you are creating a stamped background for a card, stamp the entire sheet of paper. Chances are you’ll find more uses for that background than you think!
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Make Two!
It takes a small amount of extra time to make one card as it does two. Make an extra card every time you make one and you’ll quickly create a great stash of cards.
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Ready to Color
Stamp extra images on white cardstock in black ink. In a pinch, you’ve got a stamped image that just needs to be colored.
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Second Generation Stamping
Create a lighter image by first stamping the image on scrap paper, then stamping it on your project.
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Any Day Cards
Make some “any day” cards without sentiments or verses. That way you can turn that “any day” card into a thank you, birthday, or get well card with just a quick sentiment stamp!
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Quick Card
Keep blank note cards with matching envelopes handy for quick cards.
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Storing Ink Pads
Store ink pads flat. You may even want to store your ink pads upside down (particularly with dye inks) because that helps keep most of the ink at the surface of the pad.
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Practice!
If you are new to stamping or trying out a new stamp or technique, it’s always a good idea to first practice stamping on a piece of scrap paper.
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Guest Towels
Use letter stamps to monogram guest towels for your next party—or just for yourself because they look so nice in your bathroom.
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Stamp a Picture Frame Mat
Stamp graduation-themed images on a mat to frame the photo of your favorite graduate. You’ll have a one-of-a-kind photo keepsake.
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Party Menu
Display your party menu on a side table or make a copy for each guest. Decorate the menu with stamped images in your party theme for a unique look.
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Grandparents’ Memories
At your next family get-together, ask Grandma or Grandpa about when they were young. Journal their memories on a scrapbook page that includes pictures from the get-together. Create the page title using your favorite alphabet stamps.
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Recycle Cards for Gift Tags
Cut up old cards from birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc., and create gift tags from them. Add your favorite stamp images to make them new again.
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Calendar Reminders
Never forget any of the special days in your life. Add reminders to a calendar posted next to your craft area and make all the cards needed for each month at the beginning of the month.
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Card Sets
Card sets make great gifts. Remember to include some stamps and a pen to round out the set.
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Gift Wrap
Remember the gift wrap! Hand-stamped wrapping will make your gift stand out in the stack.
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Photo Thank You
Use photos of the party on your thank you notes. Your guests will have a permanent memento of the occasion.
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Assembly Line
Set up an “assembly line” for making many of the same project at once, such as invitations. Do all the stamping at one time—faster and more efficient!
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Decorate the Envelope
Your envelope is part of your invitation. Don’t forget to stamp on it as well. Your party mood will be established before they even open it!
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Party Pictures
Don’t forget to take pictures of your celebrations! Use your most memorable photos and the stamp images you used on your party supplies to create a scrapbook page to remember the event.
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Celebrate Everything!
Any happy event in your life is cause for a celebration – a promotion, a new job, finishing the school year, making a new friend. Use your stamps to commemorate all the special days, not just birthdays and anniversaries.
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Coordinate Your Party Supplies
Coordinate all your party supplies by using the same stamp images on all – your invitations, your place cards, your favors, and your thank you notes.
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Stamp the Inside of the Card
Don't forget that stamps can be used on the INSIDE of your card too! Add a sentiment or small motif that coordinates with the card front.
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Dry Embossing
Dry embossing uses a brass stencil and a stylus to create a raised image on your paper. It’s called dry embossing to differentiate it from the rubber stamping technique that uses ink, embossing powder, and a heat tool.
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Piecing Stamped Images
Here's a way to add color and dimension to your cards. Say you have a stamp that includes a flower blossom, stem, and leaves. Stamp the image on both pink and green cardstock. Cut out the flower blossom from the pink cardstock and the stem and leaves from the green cardstock. Stack and glue the pieces to the card.
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Fussy Cutting
Instead of stamping an image directly on your project, try fussy cutting. In the quilting world, fussy cutting refers to selective cutting of a fabric based on its design or pattern. In the stamping and card making world, it refers to carefully cutting out a stamped image or portion of a stamped image to use on your project.
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Corner Punches
Corner punches come in various shapes and sizes. Use them to add visual interest to your card projects. You can shape the edges of the card itself or shape one or more of the layers on top of the card.
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Make Your Own Patterned Paper
Can't find the right patterned paper to use on your card? Then create your own – randomly stamp plain paper or cardstock with images that coordinate with your focal image(s).
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Time Saver - Cutting/Punching Multiple Shapes
Don't put away your circle cutter after making just one circle! Cut a whole bunch of circles of varying sizes on different colors of paper or cardstock. Do the same with your punches. Categorize and store the shapes in envelopes for future projects.
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Time Saver - Stamping Multiple Images
When you have a little extra time, stamp motifs, verses, borders, etc. on various pieces of cardstock, paper, or vellum. Categorize and store the images in envelopes. Then when it's time to make a project, just select the images you want to use, and you'll be able to complete your project in no time!
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Using Glue
If your card includes vellum or other specialty paper such as mulberry paper, be sure to use a glue that is designed to work with those items. Some regular craft glues may not dry clear or may stain the vellum or paper.
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3D Effects
Give your greeting cards a lift! Use adhesive foam tape to make elements “pop” off your card.
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Two for One
Keep it simple! Cut an 8.5 x 11 inch piece of cardstock in half lengthwise and you can make two 4.25 x 5.5 inch cards.
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Paper Scraps
Don’t throw away those scraps of paper! Save them for future card projects. Some pieces may be large enough to stamp on, and small pieces are great for adding splashes of color to liven up a background.
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Tearing Cardstock
To create a very soft edge when tearing, “draw” a line on your cardstock using a small amount of water and a paintbrush. The cardstock will tear right along the water line.
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Lined Envelopes
Dress up your envelopes with stamped borders or corner images. Add an elegant liner with colored paper. Make a re-usable template out of cardboard of the desired shape (avoiding the glued area of the flap), cut a matching paper, insert it, and secure to the flap with a glue stick.
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Your Signature
Create your own signature on the back of a card with a monogram stamp.
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