MAKE IT EASY: DIY STAMPS

Guess my flu shot did more than keep me hearty and healthy this winter...I have not been bitten by the Bug bug. My Mean Red Machine (Sizzix) with the System Converter in place does a great job with those terrific Cuttlebug Embossing Folders.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to one of the 'roller' machines;, so you may have to do a little fiddling to obtain the results of a Sizzix.

I've used the larger Cuttlebug Folders to pressure emboss a wide range of supplies...every type of paper from card stock to hand made, plus other stuff ranging from medium-weight metal sheets to Scratch-Art Scratch-Foam Boards. Fun, fun, fun!

Making stamps from a Scratch-Art Scratch-Foam Board is easy, fast and inexpensive. Stamps can be up to 4 1/4" wide and as long as 10" . Cut the Foam in the desired size or shape (it cuts easily with a rotary cutter, craft knife, scissors or in a die cut machine). Place the Foam inside the folder, slide the folder under the pressing plate and pull the handle. If necessary, continue sliding and pulling until the Foam is embossed. Remove the Foam from the Folder. Either side of the embossed Foam can be used as the stamp...it's your choice.

To make a 10" long stamp, place the Foam strip (up to 4 1/4" wide) into the folder; one end of the Foam will be next to the fold at the end of the Folder; one end of the Foam will extend beyond the open end of the Folder. Emboss. Remove the Foam from the folder. Place the Foam in the Folder so that the embossed setion of the Foam extends beyond the open end of the Folder; line up the design of the Folder with the embossed end of the Foam. Emboss. Remove the Foam from the folder.

To permanently mount a Scratch-Foam stamp, apply Grafix Double Tack to the back of the stamp and mount it on a piece of foam board that has been cut to the size of the stamp. It's recommended to permanently mount stamps that exceed a length of 4" . A removable adhesive (Aleene's Tack it Over and Over, Scotch Poster Tape, etc.) can be applied to the back of the stamp for removable mounting on an acrylic block.

Ink a Scratch-Foam stamp with either a brayer or by patting a pad over the stamp. Although it's best to place the paper on longer stamps (over 4") and burnish the back of the paper with a Scratch-Art Rubbing Stick (don't use a brayer), smaller stamps can be placed die down on the surface beng stamped. When you've finished stamping, use either a damp cloth or baby wipe to wipe off the ink from the stamp.

The ink residue on the pictured stamps give you a good idea of the depth of the impression a Folder makes in the Foam.