I have been hoarding collecting rubber stamps since I was in college, simply because I have so much fun with them, and I can use them in every aspect of my art. A stamp can be a focal image on a journal page, create a bold or subtle background on a collage, build a border on a card, produce a pattern on fabric, make marks on almost any surface, and create texture on a canvas. An inkpad is not a stamp’s only companion. Paint, crayons, spray inks, embossing powder, and even gesso, glue, and molding paste can be used for fantastic effects on paper, canvas, fabric, wood, and more.
I created this collage using three techniques with stamps, and all produced very different results. I started with an empty frame from an antique photo album, using that for my focal piece, and painted it with deep red acrylic paint.
After that dried I placed a StencilGirl Products stencil over the frame and painted a layer of titanium buff paint.
When the paint was fully was dry I replaced the stencil, lining up the design, and inked up a handwritten text stamp with permanent black dye-based ink.
I stamped the text over the stencil, moving and re-inking the stamp to make sure I covered the entire frame, then removed the stencil. I love that the stencil lends a modern look, while the stamped handwriting brings back the vintage feel.
Another stamp was used to add a touch of bling to the frame. Did you know you can use stamps to create metallic leaf designs? I scribbled on paper with a Zig 2 Way Glue pen, creating a small pool of glue, then tapped part of the stamp in it. I stamped the frame, waited a couple of minutes for the glue to get tacky, then pressed on a sheet of gold leaf.
I burnished the gold leaf by rubbing off the part that wasn’t glued. What remained was the partial stamp image. So cool.
Here’s how the frame looked after the gold leaf was applied:
I stamped one more stamp in permanent black ink on the edge of a vintage book page, then fussy cut it, which gave it the look of a die cut. I attached it to the frame with an old game piece.
To finish the piece I added a photo in the frame and attached it to an old book cover. I love seeing the stamped text framed within the stencil design.
There are thousands of stamps to choose from, so there I have no doubt you’ll find images that appeal to you and fit your style. You can even carve your own stamps and create truly one-of-a-kind images. The only hard part will be resisting temptation!
The resources below will show you how easy it is to include stamps in your mixed-media art.
Want to give stamping a shot?
Check out these resources to get you started!
 |
 |
 |
|||
| Art Lesson, Vol. 9: Modeling Paste Stamps | Carve, Stamp, Play | Stamp-Making Adventures Carve cut & print one-of-a-kind designs |
|||
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|||
| Stamped Metal and Mica Pendant with Jen Cushman | Cloth Paper Scissors,May/June 2012 | Best of The Mixed-Media Workshop Season 200: Printmaking | |||
|
|
|
Find More Stamping Projects (And Much More) At The
Thank you for sharing this fun and fabulous way to combine not only stamps and stencils but gold leaf too! This is a scrumptious piece.