Making Stamp Ephemera Using Tim Hotz Stamps

I had so much fun making these vintage looking postage stamps! I looked up vintage stamps online to get an idea of colors but there was a huge range, so pretty much any ink color will do. I chose mostly muted colors with a few exceptions. The Tim Holtz/Sizzix Postale die set comes with three dies to make postage edges. These matched most, but not all, of the Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous Stamp Collector set. I fussy cut around the others with a good pair of detail scissors.

These stamps are perfect for junk journals, cards, and even decorating envelopes. Please do not use them as postage, but they are perfect for hand delivering; you can even "cancel" them yourself if you have one of the many postage themed stamp sets out there (for example, Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous Correspondence - see the Supplies section below for more recommendations).

Copyright Notice: ©Mary Dimercurio Prasad. All rights reserved. Any illegal reproduction of this content, including images, will result in immediate legal action.

Disclaimer:  Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at the bottom of this blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Stamps

1. Antique several sheets of high quality/premium printer paper (e.g. Hammermill Premium). I do not use cardstock for this; paper makes them feel and look more like real stamps. I antique the paper by pressing various colors of Distress Inks on a craft mat or Glass Media Mat, spraying lots of water, then dragging the paper through it. Start with a light color such as Antique Linen to cover the entire sheet. Dry with a heat tool or let air dry before continuing. If you want darker paper, use less water or use something like Vintage Photo but start with more water unless you want very dark results. To add texture, press various light brown inks (maybe 2 or 3 colors) onto craft mat again, spray with water, break up ink by running your fingers through it, then tap paper in it, moving it to different areas. I recommend starting with light colors and more water first. Dry between layers with a heat tool. Tim Holtz shows how to do this in many of his videos when creating backgrounds. Make a lot of sheets if you want many colors.

2. For optimum efficiency, I recommend mounting the entire unweeded stamp onto a stamp platform (e.g. Tim Holtz or Misti). If you have already separated the stamps, you'll need to move each stamp onto the stamp platform - be sure to leave enough room between each to cut apart and die cut later. Ink up and stamp onto antiqued paper. I recommend using VersaFine Clair inks. They have the crispest results. Note: you should use a heat tool to set the ink as it tends to dry slowly. I also used Ranger Archival Ink and Tim Holtz Distress Archival Ink to fill in colors I didn't have in VF Clair. Clean stamps with Stamp Shammy and water.

3. Cut stamp images apart, leaving room for die cutting. Fussy cut around any that don't fit in one of the dies with a good pair of detail scissors. Using a die cutting machine and Postale Dies, die cut the rest of the stamps. I like to do this in front of the TV or while listening to a podcast.

4. Optional; Use an ink blending tool and dome foam to ink edges of stamps with a brown Distress Ink.

Supplies

• Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous Stamp Collector CMS338
• Tim Holtz/Sizzix Postale Dies 665927
• Distress Inks (for example: Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Brushed Corduroy)
• VersaFine Clair Inks, many colors
• Ranger Archival Ink or Tim Holtz Distress Archival Ink, many colors
• Stamp Platform (Tim Holtz, Misti)
• High Quality Printer Paper (I recommend a premium paper like Hammermill Premium)
• Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy to clean stamps
• Craft Mat or Glass Media Mat
• Sizzix Sidekick, Big Shot, or other die cutting machine
• Detail Scissors
• Tim Holtz Blending Tools, Domed Foam Applicator
• Heat Tool
• Stamps sets to hand cancel your postage: Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous sets - Correspondence CMS225, Tidbits CMS488, Holiday Postmarks CMS323

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Use Scraps to Make Vintage Labels - Tip to Prevent Ink Beading

Use your cream and white scraps to create lots of labels in different colors. Grunge them up for a more vintage look. Add adhesive to the back using a Xyron Creative Station, Xyron Creative Station Lite, Xyron 250 Create-A-Sticker, or Xyron 150 Create-A-Sticker if you would like to make them into stickers. I listed these in order of price (high to low), which also corresponds to size. The largest Creative Station will accept paper/cardstock up to 9 inches wide (e.g. US letter) and may also be used with 5 inch cartridges. The Creative Station Lite will accept 5" and 3" cartridges. The 250 has a 2.5" opening, and the smallest 150 has a 1.5" opening. All are refillable, but the larger machines (former two) offer more and varied cartridges, such as lamination and magnet, whereas the latter two are just for making stickers. Note: the largest Vintage Labels will not fit in the smallest sticker maker.

Labels can be used in many ways. You can stamp on them with words or numbers for a more traditional look, or stamp them with images for something different. Use rub-ons or vellum stickers on them. Use them on cards, in scrapbooks, or junk journals. Write on them to label folders, storage bins, etc. Make tabs out of them by either folding one in half or putting two of the same size/type back to back on a page or other edge so that part sticks out.

Copyright Notice: ©Mary Dimercurio Prasad. All rights reserved. Any illegal reproduction of this content, including images, will result in immediate legal action.

Disclaimer:  Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at the bottom of this blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Labels

1. Gather your white card stock and cream card stock scraps. Of course you may also use full sheets but this is a great way to use up your scraps! If pieces (or sheets) are too big for your die cutting plates, you may want to cut them down to fit first. This is especially important if using a Sidekick. Note: I show how to use scrap strips in a different post.

2. Before inking your Vintage Label dies, you need to condition them or the ink will bead up, giving you poor results. See photo below. The labels on the left were inked and die cut before conditioning the dies. The labels on the right were done after (same ink, same dies). To condition the dies, use toothpaste on a cotton swab to scrub well over the raised surface of each die where ink will go. I did this back and forth around each die about a dozen or more times. A little surface metal will come off - you should see this as you rub the toothpaste. This is how it conditions the surface; it roughs up the surface on a micro level, giving the ink a place to sit without beading up. This should only have to be done once, although if not enough of the surface is roughed up, this process may need to be repeated.

3. Have die cutting plates ready. One plate will be the cutting side; set this aside for the moment. Place the non-cutting side nearby so you can easily transfer inked dies to this plate when ready. Choose Vintage Label dies (or die) to fit a scrap piece of white or cream cardstock. Place these dies cutting side up on a sheet of scrap paper - I use scrap copy/cartridge/printer paper. Tap Ranger Archival Ink (or Distress Archival Ink) over surface until the flat raised areas are well covered. If the ink is still beading up too much, you may have to repeat conditioning. Be sure your ink pad is not too dry or you may not get enough ink to transfer on to the die. Once inked, carefully lift paper and slide dies onto plate, still cutting side up. You may need to slide them around in a configuration that will work with your piece of cardstock. Place cardstock carefully over dies then place cutting plate on top. Be sure nothing shifts. You may have to hold the plates in both hands as you start to feed them into your die cutting machine. If you find they move too much, you could try using washi or painters tape to temporarily tape paper to the bottom plate before placing the cutting plate on top.

Note: If you want to change ink colors, I recommend using isopropyl alcohol to clean dies. I don't recommend using stamp cleaner as any oil residue left behind may prevent ink from sticking.

4. Optional: after die cutting, ink edges of labels with Distress Ink or Distress Oxide Ink. I used Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink on an ink blender tool with domed foam. Note that if you do not ink the edges, some of the color of the Archival Ink that got on the blade may show a little. Adding inking around the edges helps hide this.

5. Optional: if you want to create sticker labels, put labels through a Xyron Creative Station or Sticker Maker (see other models listed in supplies, below). If you are doing multiples, you may cut them apart or leave them on the larger sheet until you want to use them. Note: you may add the adhesive to the cardstock before die cutting but I find that this wastes more adhesive and makes one side of the cardstock really slick, possibly making it more difficult when feeding into the die cutting machine.

Supplies

• Tim Holtz Sizzix Vintage Labels 665929
• Toothpaste, Cotton Swabs
• Tim Holtz Distress Archival Ink
• Ranger Archival Ink
• Cardstock - Cream or White
• Tim Holtz Blending Tools, Domed Foam Applicator
• Brown Distress Oxide Ink (I used Vintage Photo) or Brown Distress Ink
• Sizzix Sidekick, Big Shot, or other die cutting machine
• Optional: Xyron Creative Station (9" and 5" cartridges), Xyron Creative Station Lite (5" and 3" cartridges), Xyron 250 Create-A-Sticker (2.5", refills), or Xyron 150 Create-A-Sticker (1.5", refills)

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Haunted House Halloween Card with Distress Oxide Inks

I absolutely love how beautifully the new Distress Oxide Inks can blend! For this card, I stamped the Rubbernecker Stamps haunted house then masked it and blended the ink before stamping the web in the background. For the purple edge around the main image, I used the same Wilted Violet Distress Oxide Ink that I used in the sky so it would match perfectly. I also used a couple of the same colors in the bow.

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.

Making the Card

1. Cut black cardstock 7 x 10 inches; fold in half to form a 5 x 7 inch card base. Cut white cardstock 4 5/8 x 6 5/8 inches. Use ink blending tool to add Wilted Violet Distress Oxide Ink all around the outside. Adhere to card base.

2. Cut Canson XL Recycled Vellum to 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. Stamp Haunted House in Jet Black Archival Ink (waterproof ink). Also stamp a copy on mask paper. Cut around house mask, leaving extra mask extending the grass on either side of the house. You want to mask the hill that the house will sit on. Put mask over house.

3. Working from the bottom to the top, use an ink blending tool to blend from Wilted Violet Distress Oxide Ink to Faded Jeans. Add a small amount of Black Soot across the top edge, corners, and slightly down sides. Stamp Spider Web in Jet Black Archival Ink over top of house - see image. Flick drops of water across image, let sit for a few seconds, then dab off with paper towel. Repeat as desired.

4. Remove mask. Use Copic Multiliner .2 (or other black waterproof fine tipped marker) to go over any lines that became dull due to the ink blending (e.g. the bats over the house, grass, etc.). Extend the grass line on either side of the house as shown. Extend the walkway. Watercolor image - I used Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens. Adhere image to card base as shown.

5. Tie a triple loop bow with white seam binding. Pounce with Wilted Violet and Faded Jeans. You may want to spray with a little water to get the ink to spread out. Pounce again to darken some areas. Set aside to dry.

6. Add jump ring to spider adornment. Slide onto wire pin and pin to bow center. Adhere bow as shown.

Supplies

• Rubbernecker Stamps: Haunted House (300SO), Spider Web (45-10)
• Distress Oxide Inks: Wilted Violet, Faded Jeans, Black Soot
• Ink Blending Tool
• Archival Ink: Jet Black
• Paper: Canson XL Recycled Vellum
• Mask Paper: Inkadinkado Mask Paper
• Cardstock: Black, White
• Copic Multiliner: Black .2
• Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens
• White Seam Binding: Hug Snug Chalk White
• Jump Ring: Tim Holtz/Idea-ology
• Wire Pin: Tim Holtz/Idea-ology
• Spider Adornment: Tim Holtz/Idea-ology

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Happiness Is Accordion Greeting Card

This sweet image of a girl and her cat is just purr-fect for a greeting card. I left extra space below the "hello" is for a message (I would recommend writing it before final assembly though - otherwise it might prove challenging). I love how the Accordion Rectangle card displays beautifully on a table or mantle. The roses by Susan Tierney-Cockburn may be colored to match the background paper almost exactly, making them the perfect embellishments for this card.

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Making the Card

1. Find the shown rose sheet and dots sheet in Save the Date 6x6 paper pad. Die cut with Accordion Rectangle main die with these patterns up, i.e. facing die (may want to be cognizant of the pattern as you place the die). Trim and fold as shown in instructions on packaging but don't assemble yet.

2. Stamp Happiness Is (Dreamerland Crafts) on Distress Watercolor Cardstock with Potting Soil Archival Ink. Using brown ink, rather than black, creates a softer image. I used Distress watercolor paper because the white closely matches the background of the paper I used for the card base.

3. Watercolor the image (I used several sets of Prima watercolor paints, see Supplies below for the sets I used). I mixed the blue/green color for her dress so it would closely match the dots in the paper. I also mixed up enough to use on the leaves for the flowers (step 5). Die cut image using largest accessory rectangle die (Accordion Rectangle, ECD). Adhere to rose page as shown.

4. Die cut blue/green cardstock (Pastels, AC) using Katie Flourish Frame Edges - four of each (enough for 2 full frames). Adhere one set on the dotted page and the other on the back of the rose page (trellis). Die cut white cardstock with largest accessory rectangle die (Accordion Rectangle). Adhere to dotted page as shown. Note: I used fairly thin white cardstock for this and the rose in the next step.

5. Die cut two roses and one bud plus a bunch of extra petals (Rose 2, ECD) from white cardstock. Die cut two sets of leaves. Color leaves with watercolor (same color as dress, step 3); add veins once mostly dry if desired. Use Fired Brick Distress Ink as if it were watercolor to color the petals. I put a light coat on first then added a bit more darker from the bottom up through the centers of the petals (I just left the tips and edges lighter). Shape petals and leaves using ball stylus and leaf tools; see the video below for shaping and assembly (don't use the big stems but save one small stem for the bud; cut off the two large leaves for use). I also use Kids Choice Glue for flowers because of its viscosity.

6. Adhere roses and leaves as shown. Die cut "hello" (Accordion Rectangle, ECD) from pink/peach cardstock (Pastels, AC). Adhere where shown. Finish card assembly as per instructions on packaging.

Supplies

• Dreamerland Crafts Stamp: Happiness Is (D17010)
• Ink: Potting Soil Mini Archival Ink, Wendy Vecchi/Ranger (Kit #1 – AMDK57796 )
• Watercolor Paper: Distress Watercolor Cardstock, Tim Holtz/Ranger (TDA39549)
• Watercolor: Prima (The Classics, Tropicals, Decadent Pies, Shimmering Lights)
• Paper: Save the Date 6x6 Pad, Teresa Collins (SD1010)
• Cardstock: Pastels by American Crafts, White
• Elizabeth Craft Designs Dies: Accordion Rectangle (972), Katie Flourish Frame Edges (977; I just noticed that it has been discontinued but you may be able to find it on eBay), Garden Notes - Rose 2 (998)
• Distress Ink: Fired Brick
• Susan's Garden All Metal Tool Set
• Kids Choice Glue

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