Paper Craft Workshop

 How To Layer Stamps

A colorful bouquet made with the Triumph Tulip set 

Today we are sharing with you our designs for the Educator Program with Altenew. It has really been quite a journey so far and with each step, more techniques and ideas are shared with this amazing program.

About The Stamps For This Project

For this project, we used the Altenew Stamp and Die set entitled, Build A Flower-Triumph Tulip. This set comes with leaves of different shapes and sizes, two-layered tulips, Some hydrangea-like flowers, and two sentiments. You can fussy cut them, but the coordinating dies sure makes it a lot easier.

My new favorite tulip stamp and die set can be found here.

For this card, I also did a background with one of my favorite embossing folders. It just added a little more dimension to the bouquet.

On a personal note, here in Florida, we cannot grow tulips, so I am in love with the tulip sets that are so popular. Part of the reason is that you can build amazing flowers with stamp sets that have guides that teach you how to build 

To create each layer, you start by using the lightest color. I like the ink pads with the lightest color on top and then pile the other colors in the order that I will use them.  As I use them, I flip them over so that I do not make a mistake with my ink pads. You build up each layer with both color and detail. The colors of the inks make it easy to build each layer one at a time

The biggest trick to layering stamps is to find a specific focal point where you can line up the stamp. on the layering guide, you can see a focal point to concentrate on that makes it easy to line the stamps up. A stamp positioner like the MISTI makes layering a lot easier. So, if you have one, I recommend using it. That way you can check the image before you add the ink. If you are using an acrylic block, I recommend using a block that has visible positioning lines for this kind of technoque.

If you are doing multiples of the same flower, make sure to clean the stamp in between layers, especially if you are using a Misti or other stamp positioner. That way when you position the stamp, you will be able to adjust the stamp without getting any left over ink on the image from a different flower.

When I get a new stamp set, I always recommend conditioning the stamp. The first initial stamping may not hold the ink very well. You can either use a stamp with some scrap paper. Keep stamping so that you finally see a clear stamped image. Or you can use a clean pencil eraser to go over the stamp. Again, make sure that you get a clean image before you start on your project.

Altenew makes creating a layered card with layering guides

Die Tips

I love using the coordinating dies for my stamp sets. Especially on these types of images. One really good tip is all about die cutting multiple images. I used to cut multiple images of one flower on a sheet of cardstock. Then it took a lot of time to die cut each individual flower. One of the instructors showed how she took a sheet and did multiple different images on one sheet. So, she had flowers and leaves on each sheet. That meant that she could die cut multiple images on one pass. What a time saver!

If you are hand cutting the images, you can use either page with all the same images or not.

Ink Pad Tips

Whatever ink pads that you use, make sure that you build your color within the color family that you have chosen. Each layer starts with the lightest ink and builds on that. So, every step after that takes you one layer higher. 

The Altenew ink pads made this challenge a lot easier because they are truly one of the juiciest ink pads in my stash. They never disappoint.

Here are the colors that I used for my tulips for this challenge:

Blue Flowers: Dew Drop, Sea Breeze, Turquoise, Teal Cove, Galactic Stream

Yellow Flowers: Mango Smoothie, Honey Drizzle,  Maple Yellow, Snapdragon, Autumn Blaze

Pink Flowers: Frosty Pink, Pink Pearl, Coral Bliss, Velvet, Heart Beat

Purple Flowers: Soft Lilac, Deep Iris

Leaves: Frayed Leaves, Forest Glades, Moss

Sentiments: Permanent Black

More Tips For This Project

• These stamps work well with acrylic blocks or stamp positioners. The trick is to find the focal point on each level so that you get the best results. The layering guide helps you to do just that.
• When you start with new stamps, stamp them on some scrap paper before you start on products.
• Use good cardstock for any images that you are planning to fussy cut or die-cut.
• Use foam dots or squares to give more dimension to your projects
• Mix colors to create bouquets of tulips
• If you like minimalist cards, just pair the two different tulips, side by side in the same colors. Add a couple of leaves and a small sentiment.

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Thanks for stopping by. We would love to hear from you about this project as well as our community.

Till next time, Happy Crafting!

Linda