DIY String Stamp

Oh how fun to make your own stamp! Cath at Moxie Fab World has challenged us to do just that in honor of the new Paper Crafts 75 Creative Card Challenges special issue.

What to do, what to do. Well first, read email! My crafty friend and neighbor Brenda sent me a recent pin ... something so simple it's brilliant.

source

String on a block! Just because it's a kid's craft doesn't scare me : ) Let's see what we can do ...

This simple thank you card was made by wrapping string around my narrow stamping block and then stamping it in a basket weave pattern. Love patterns! 

 When I finished the pattern and was figuring out what to do with the card, I knew I wanted to keep the focus on the pattern. Then I thought of Cath's OTHER challenge to use a window in your card. So I cut one of the rectangles with my exacto. To take advantage of the window feature, I looked around for something 3D and found these handmade ribbon flowers that I got at a garage sale from a lady who used to make hair accessories for her girls.

For the next card I thought about creating a large string-stamp that I could use for a background. I'm always looking for subtle backgrounds to add texture. So I did! Here's a visual step-by-step:

The string I used is very fine and textured (I'm thinking it's from the 30's or 40's based on the label, I'll have to research that one day). Super excited to ink it up ... what would happen?!?

 

 Yay, it worked! Love how you can see the twists of the string in the inked image. Since there are two sides to the string-stamp, I'm going to try keeping one side for light inks and the other for dark inks. In a nod to the stamp, I include the same string wrapped around the card (reinforced on the other side so it doesn't warp). Then inked it in the Spring Moss, and tucked the other elements underneath. I was happy to dig through my scrap pile for the elements.

 Here they are. On the left you can see the string I wrapped around the stamping block, and on the right you can see the skein of string.

But wait, there's ONE MORE THING ....

"HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, DARNELL!"

To finish out the string theme, I used the string-stamp on the end of the sentiment banner.

Darnell is the sweetest and most supportive card maker there is, always entertaining us with her command of the English language and then some. You should check her out if you haven't already, to either 1) put a smile on your face, or 2) drool over the PG-13 photo of her husband from when they were dating. Ardyth had the great idea to surprise her with some Happy Anniversary cards today.

And here's the rest of the challenge, to post our wedding photos. We got married in 1997 ... WAY before people had cool wedding invitations, and before I had developed any sense of style. But I did a fantastic job in picking my husband, so cheers to that!

Thanks for looking, and "Happy Anniversary, Darnell!"

-Kelly