Card Making 101, Chapter 3, Paper and Stamps

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!