Simple Techniques

Each stamper has his or her favorite techniques, ranging from basic to complicated. There are a few fundamental techniques that serve as a great foundation for nearly all your cards. Here are some of our favorites for creating easy yet elegant cards. We've included a photo sample with each technique so you can see it in action!

The easiest of all techniques, layering different sizes of cardstock can turn a card from flat to fabulous. Use your paper trimmer to create varying sizes of cardstock panels. Stamp your images, then adhere to your base card.
		How It's Made: Started with Lime cardstock as the base. Background image stamped repeatly with fresh green ink. We layered (from largest to smallest) Magenta cardstock, Golden Tangerine cardstock, and White cardstock. Using the Vintage Sepia Versafine, we stamped three different stamps onto the white cardstock to create a mini island scene. Markers completed this card. This card is a great example of how just your Basic Supplies can be all you need to create a fun and finished card.

Take it to the next level by incorporating punched or die-cut shapes as a part of your layering choices. This can add more visual interest, especially when paired with stamps specifically designed to pair with certain shapes.
		How It's Made: Start with White cardstock as the base. With black ink, we randomly stamped floral designs to create a background. We stamped a border stamp in criss-cross fashion to create a plaid pattern (on Red cardstock, with red ink, for a tone-on-tone look). We layered Green cardstock, then white cardstock and stamped more border images and placed in the center of the card. We stamped our circular word image and floral design onto white cardstock and punched it out. We layered it to a larger-sized green punched circle. Markers and glitter completed this card. This card not only shows off easy yet elegant layering techniques, but shows how fun it is to mix and match patterns (note the "plaid" and the floral patterns).
MORE CIRCLE STAMP RESOURCES: WATCH the video tutorial - COMPARE sizes - SHOP circle stamps

This tried and true technique has been around for decades. While it falls in and out of fashion, it remains a cornerstone of rubber stamping. You will need a few more items in your stampers toolbox to create an embossed image: a heat gun, an embossing pad, and embossing powder. We highly recommend the Versamark ink pad. The consistency of this pad makes it ideal for embossing. STEPS TO EMBOSS: Stamp image(s) onto paper or cardstock. Sprinkle embossing powder to stamped image; tap off excess. Hold heat gun 4-6 inches from card and apply heat in gentle circular motion. Watch for powder to melt; you want a raised, glossy look with no bubbling or flattening. Allow embossed image to cool, about one minute. Can cut out or color image as desired.
		How It's Made: We started with Cream cardstock as the base. Stamp image with Versamark ink pad and emboss with gold embossing powder. We layered Eggplant cardstock and patterned paper to top of card and added ribbon. Markers completed this card. This card not only highlights the simple elegance of embossing, but is a great example of how a single stamp can be enough to create a stunning and sophisticated card.

Both easy and fun to do, masking is a simple way to add a polished look to any card. Masking can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be, but it all starts the same way. STEPS TO MASK: Stamp image on extra piece of paper and cut out carefully (tip: stamp onto sticky note to help mask stay in place). Stamp first image onto your card. Use mask to cover that image. Stamp additional images on or around masked image. Change location of masked image as desired. BLOG BONUS! Check out Andrea's picture tutorial on masking!
		How It's Made: We started with Golden Tangerine cardstock as the base. We stamped a background onto the card. We stamped a polka dot background onto Brown Kraft cardstock, layered to Black cardstock, then to card. With Onyx Black Versafine, we masked and stamped the jack o' lantern onto Cream cardstock. We layered it to Sage Green cardstock, embellished with ribbon, twine, and a button. Markers and glitter completed this card. This card highlights the subtle way masking gives a very polished look without a lot of effort. No complicated techniques or specialty supplies needed!