Don't forget that I am sending 5 handmade cards to anyone who places an order with me by September 30.  I'm so happy to send my cards to happy homes 😊

World Card Making Day is this Saturday.  Stampin' Up! is hosting a free and virtual stamping event for everyone to attend from 4-7pm EST.  You can sign up for the event HERE.  If you can't watch live, that's ok!  (I can't either).  They will send you a link to watch at your own convenience.  

A few weeks ago, I sent an email with lots of beginner stamper information. There is so much I could write about stamping (16 years worth), but it would be too overwhelming if I sent it all at once (and really, really long).

Today's email is part 2.  Even if you are not a beginning stamper, I suggest you read what I have written.  I had many non-beginners tell me they learned something new from my first email.  If you think I have missed something, I would love that feedback too!  I can include it in part 3.

If you missed the email I sent with the beginning stamping information, you can read it HERE.

Now that you have some background information about stamps, ink and papers, I thought I would expand.

Stampin’ Up! is known for their coordination: color coordination & product coordination.

Color Coordination

Each of the 53 Stampin’ Up! colors have a unique name (you may notice they are all alliterations).  All products with that same name are that exact same color.  For example, a Bermuda Bay ink pad is the exact same color as a Bermuda Bay card stock, Stampin’ Write Marker, re-inker, ribbon, gems, etc.  If Bermuda Bay is listed as one of the colors in a Designer Series Paper pack, then you know it is the exact same color as all other Bermuda Bay products.  All of their colors work this way.  You don’t have to guess if they match, because their name tells you that they do.

Some colors coordinate beautifully with each other.  You can try to match colors yourself when coming with a color scheme (I love doing this), or you can follow these three guides:

Find a Designer Series Paper pack you like and use the colors listed in that pack.  Each color in that paper pack is listed in the description (online & in the catalog) as well as on the back of the paper pack itself.  The Stampin’ Up! Design team already did the hard work of choosing coordinating colors for the paper packs.  Use their expert choices as your own palette.

In the catalogs, there are color swatches listed with many of the samples.  Use these pairings when creating your own projects or when deciding on which colors to purchase.  Are there commonly used colors?  Do certain colors or pairings appeal to you?  These colors may be a good place for you to start.

I mentioned Color Collections in my previous email.  The colors in each collection have the same tone and intensity, which means they work well (coordinate) together.  You may want to focus or start on one Color Collection.

Product Coordination

You do not have to do all the creative work yourself!  Stampin’ Up! does a lot of that work for you.  Their products are specifically designed with coordination in mind.

Direct product coordination are always listed in the product descriptions.  Bundles are designed to coordinate with each other.  Some bundles are stamp sets & punches and others are stamp sets & dies.  Purchasing bundles always saves you 10% over purchasing the individual products separately.  For the beginner, I suggest a stamp set and punch bundle.  To use the dies, you need to purchase the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss Machine.  A very useful and fun tool, but not necessary for a beginner.

All Bundles

Suite Collections.  Suite products are carefully designed to coordinate together in every way.  The Suite Collections usually contain a stamp set, punch or die (bundle), Designer Series Paper, accessories and embellishments.   All of the products in the suite 100% coordinate with each other.  There are usually 2-3 pages in the catalog devoted to an individual Suite, including several project samples and a color swatch.  The colors of each Suite are also listed in the description, so you can decide if you need to supplement coordinating card stock and/or ink if purchasing.

All Suite Collections

Two Must Have “Tools”

Every paper crafter should have are sharp Paper Snips (aka scissors).  I’ll bet that scissors are in every household.  But are sharp, paper crafting scissors in every household??  I’m guessing not.  Stampin’ Up! has their own version of Paper Snips and they are a steal at only $10.  Before Stampin’ Up! sold them, I used to buy paper crafting scissors that were double the price.

You can do a lot with a good pair of Paper Snips:  turn a rectangular piece of paper into a banner or pennant, cut out a stamped image (especially important if you don’t have a coordinating punch or die) and cut out printed images from Designer Series Paper.  

Crafters call cutting “fussy cutting”.  You are either a fan of fussy cutting or not.  I happen to be a fan because I really enjoy cutting.  I filmed a video a few years back with some cutting tips - you can watch it here:

The second “tool” that every paper crafter (in my opinion) should have is Multipurpose Liquid Glue.  There are many types of adhesives out there, but I have discovered that this glue can be used on almost every project.  It’s a super value at $4 bottle.  A little of this glue goes a long way.  These tubes can last a long time.  Be sure to always put the cap on right after using it, otherwise the glue can clog.

Here is another video showing tips on the Multipurpose Liquid Glue:

Methods of Coloring for Beginners (really, everyone)

As much as you may love all of the colors and want all of the colors, it isn’t necessary.  It can be quite expensive to get them all.  If you do “want it all”, please reach out to me and I can tell you how you can get all the products you want at a discount.

There is a great (& easy) coloring technique that allows you to use multiple colors on one stamp.  You can use Stampin’ Write Markers to color directly on your stamps.  This means, you can choose which lines/words get the colors you want.  This coloring method works better on outline images rather than solid images. Go ahead and give it a try on solid images, the smaller ones work better than the larger ones.  Coloring on stamps also works better on Cling (red rubber) stamps than Photopolymer (although it does work on photopolymer, you just don’t get as deep of a color).

How to do it - Put your stamp on your block and turn it over so you see the stamp.  Using the brush side of the Stampin’ Write Marker, color directly on the stamp.  Use as many colors as you wish.  After you are done coloring the stamp, “huff” on the stamp (this will re-moisten any ink that dried) and press onto your paper.

Stampin’ Write Markers are sold in Color Collections, not individually, packs of either 10 or 5 markers (depending on the Collection).  It would cost a lot more money to purchase 10 ink pads than one pack of markers.

This coloring on your stamps method only works with Stampin’ Write Markers.  It does not work with Blends Markers.  Here is a video I made showing some benefits of Stampin’ Write Markers:

Another way of getting more colors without purchasing all of the ink pads is with Watercolor Pencils.  Stampin’ Up! sells two different packs of Watercolor Pencils, Assortment 1 and Assortment 2.  Just like I mentioned above, it’s much less expensive to buy a pack or two of Watercolor Pencils than it is to buy the same amount of ink pad colors.  Plus, they give you a different look than ink pads.

Watercolor Pencils can be used just like regular colored pencils.  But, they have an additional benefit of adding water to make the colored sections look like you watercolored them.

There are a few things you need to do this.  Staz-On Black Ink.  Staz-On Ink will not run or bleed when water is introduced.  I recommend using either Shimmery White paper or Watercolor Paper when watercoloring.  These papers are thicker than the regular Basic White card stock and are designed to handle water.  With larger watercolored areas, regular paper may warp or pill.  You can try coloring on Basic or Thick White paper, but be sure to use the water carefully and sparingly.

You can use a regular paintbrush & water, specifically designed Water Painters or Blender Pens to color over the Watercolor penciled areas to create the watercolor effect.

I’ll have to film a specific Watercolor Pencil Techniques video and share it with you.   For now, I’m guessing you can handle coloring with pencils and brushing water on top of it with either a paintbrush, a Water Painter or Blender Pen.

I hope the above tips gives you more information to begin and expand your stamping without being overwhelmed.  Stamping and creating cards is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, not stressful or overwhelming.  It’s also not supposed to be perfect.  Each card is handcrafted, unique and made with care (and sometimes love).

Be sure to visit my Youtube channel for the many other videos I have created.  There are videos for all skill levels and various techniques and products.  I’m sure you will find one that will work for you.  https://mailsomethingpretty.com/YouTube

Thank you for reading this far!!!