While the results are less predictable and controllable than working with rubber stamps, a rich and diverse assortment of patterns can be created using items from discarded bubble wrap to vegetables. This is a wonderful way to try new things and is a good inspiration kick-starter for times when you are short for ideas for designs. Using materials other than rubber stamps is perfect for experimental projects, and because the materials are largely low cost, there’s no worry about wasting money if things go in a slightly different direction to that planned.
Materials Needed
There is a huge variety of items that you can use to stamp with. The examples shown include:
Bubble wrapCardboard inner from a paper rollPotatoFingerprintRubber bands around a brayer roller
Anything with a textured and reasonably flat surface can be used to stamp or print on paper. As well as stamping on paper and cardstock, a lot of the projects shown would be great for stamping or printing onto fabric. DIY stamps are often less intricate than shop-bought stamps, and as such, they are better for big projects such as stamping on a t-shirt or pillow. You can stamp with ink or paint. On fabric, you would need fabric paint or fabric ink. This will give you a long-lasting design that will be uniquely yours. To create the stamps you will need supplies such as a knife, scissors, glue, and brayer roller, depending on the project. The main drawback of stamping with potatoes is that the potatoes will start to dry out after a while and this makes it difficult to achieve an even print. Therefore, after cutting the potato into a shape you need to use it relatively quickly. You can either cut a shape from your potato freehand or if you have a shaped cookie cutter, press it into the top of the potato and use this as the base for your heart. You simply then need to cut away the pieces of potato that you don’t want to show on your stamped image. You can stamp with your potato as you would a normal stamp. Here are some tips for making and using a potato heart stamp:
Use a flat blade knife to cut the potato. If you use a knife with a serrated edge then the surface of the potato will be patterned and will give an uneven print. While this may present some interesting design opportunities, it might not give the finished effect you require.If you don’t fancy cutting a heart into the potato by hand, but don’t have a cookie cutter of the correct size and shape to hand, use a printed heart image and draw around this on the surface of the potato.
When you stamp with the potato, remember that the potato contains water and as such it will dilute your stamping ink or paint. The potato will also leave a starchy deposit on your ink pad therefore if you are going to stamp with regular stamping ink it is best to use an old ink pad that you won’t be using for future heirloom stamping projects. You can use paint to stamp a potato print with. Any thick paint will work well. Use a paintbrush to apply the paint to the surface of the potato to ensure there is even coverage. You could also pour some paint into a saucer and use this as an ink pad for your stamping project. Potato stamps are ideal for stamping on fabric. The shapes are typically bold with simple lines. Use fabric paint or ink to create patterned fabric using potato stamps. Add some sparkle to your project by mixing some glitter into your paint.
Rainbow Bubble Wrap Stamps from Fun Littles Simply dab your finger into the ink pad and press your finger onto a piece of plain paper. When the ink is dry, take the marker pen and start doodling features onto the fingerprint to create your own funny characters. You can use a rubber-stamping ink pad or paint poured into a saucer or plate. Simply dab the cardboard tube into the paint or onto the ink pad until the surface is covered and then press it on paper to create an impression on the surface of the paper. It may take a few tries to get an even image as the cardboard is porous and it may absorb the ink or paint before you can stamp with it. Here are some tips for stamping with cardboard tubes:
The top of the cardboard tube may not be completely even. Therefore you may stamp shapes that have gaps in the shape. If this is incompatible with your design then simply discard the tube and try another.
Squeeze one side of the tube to make a teardrop shape and try shaping the tube to create other types of images.A great background image can be created by stamping shapes onto a piece of paper, allowing each of the shapes to overlap slightly. Then color the portions of the image using different shades or colors to create a fun and striking effect.Try other types of tubes or shapes, such as polystyrene cups, and see what different effects can be achieved.
Rolling Out a Lace Print from Helena and Ali How to Make a Grainsack Stripe Stamp from Tidbits An alternative to using a feather would be using a leaf. Use the back of a leaf, where it is more textured, for a print. Use a brayer to apply the ink to the leaf or feather. Foil Printed Fall Tree Art from Munchkins and Moms Plasticine Stamp Printing from Filth Wizardry Wool Block Printing from An Everyday Story Cardboard Stamping from Pure and Noble Whatever method you choose, creating your own DIY stamps is a fun way to create your own unique designs.
