Stamping Tips and More from Technique Tuesday

Hi Everyone! Bev Grey here from Technique Tuesday. Today, I am excited to be sharing some of my favorite tips for incorporating lots of photos, journaling, texture, inking, and stamping in your scrapbooking layouts!

I started with bonus sketch 4 from the July/August 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes.

It didn’t take long to realize that I had too many photos, even for a 2-page layout. That’s when I decided to also use the envelope mini-album technique that was in the July/August issue. If you look at sketch 4, you’ll see that I changed it up to fit my photos and make room for two envelope mini-albums.

Ride by Bev Grey.

I wanted this project to have lots texture to include the rustic feel of the barn and to incorporate the fashion conscious tendencies of my daughter. I used a modern, floral embossing folder and round Technique Tiles to make the large circles for the title. (You can see step-by-step instructions for this technique on our blog.) I also used an embossing folder and then ran an ink pad over the raised areas to create the barn board look along the bottom of the layout.

Then, I stamped accents for the second page. It was easy to stamp the fine-lined circles that say “Remember This” and “This Moment,” but when I stamped the “Love This Story” banner, I had trouble getting a good stamped image. When you use stamps with large smooth areas, ink coverage can be an issue. I have several tips you might try if you have this problem:

1. Make sure your ink pad isn’t dry. If it is, either get a different ink pad or consider re-inking the pad. (When I buy an ink pad, I usually buy a re-inker at the same time. It keeps me from getting frustrated later – like when I’m trying to make a deadline as a guest blogger.)
2. When you are inking up your stamp, place your stamp face up on your craft table. Tap the ink pad across the stamp horizontally. Then apply more ink in the vertical direction. Then do it again across the diagonal.
3. Once you think you have plenty of ink on the stamp, hold it up to the light. If you see any areas that aren’t completely covered, keep applying ink.
4. Sometimes a mouse pad or a firm piece of foam can really help. Place your paper on the mouse pad, apply ink, and then stamp. The extra cushion may help produce a complete stamped image.
5. If you find that the stamped image still isn’t complete, use a firm eye shadow or lip gloss applicator to dab some ink onto the less than perfect areas of your stamped image. Start with a very light touch. Wait for the ink to dry. Then add more ink if needed.

Finally, consider letting your family help with your layouts! I laid out the photos that didn’t make it onto the layout and showed my family the new Story Cards. By the time we were done, we had piles of hand-written notes, two different styles of hinged Story Cards plus computer generated and stamped journaling cards! Here are some of them:

All of the stamp sets and Story Cards that I used on this layout were designed by Ali Edwards and are part of our summer release. If you’d like a chance to win two of the new stamp sets and a package of 24 Story Cards, leave a comment here about your favorite way to get your family and friends to do some journaling. We also are going to be doing some sneak peeks along with more chances to win on our blog. Good luck!

—Bev Grey, Technique Tuesday

Congratulations to our winner!

Kelly Sanna-Gouin: My daughters are always happy to dictate a story to me while I write. It’s a great way to get a little ones perspective on an event.

Watch for an email in your inbox with instructions on how to redeem your prize.