Valentine's Day rubber stamping projects needn't just be about making cards. There are many other ways that rubber stamps can be used to create a great romantic theme.
1. Rubber Stamp Wrapping Paper
Kate Pullen
Whether you are giving a gift to a loved one or simply sending a small token of friendship to a neighbor or colleague, hand stamped wrapping paper can make the gift special. Making unique hand stamped wrapping paper is simple to achieve and is also a great way to practice different techniques.
Design Idea: A clear ink stamped on colored paper will leave an image that is slightly darker than the paper. This subtle effect works particularly well with darker colors. For more vibrant effects, contrasting colors look fantastic.
Design Idea: A clear ink stamped on colored paper will leave an image that is slightly darker than the paper. This subtle effect works particularly well with darker colors. For more vibrant effects, contrasting colors look fantastic.
2. Rubber Stamp Gift Boxes
Kate Pullen
Simple card boxes have a wide variety of uses and make a lovely way to present a Valentine's Day gift. They can house a few chocolates or candies, luxury items such as jewelry or perhaps treats such as handmade soap. There are many free box templates available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. These range from the most simple of card box through to more complex designs.
Design Idea: When stamping a hand made or hand folded box, make the box up first using scratch or waste cardstock. Practice stamping on this to see the best position for stamped images. Boxes can change shape when they are full or fastened and it useful to try different positions before making the real thing.
Design Idea: When stamping a hand made or hand folded box, make the box up first using scratch or waste cardstock. Practice stamping on this to see the best position for stamped images. Boxes can change shape when they are full or fastened and it useful to try different positions before making the real thing.
3. Decorate a Candle With Rubber Stamps
Kate Pullen
Transform plain white candles with rubber stamped images. This is a simple technique that is very adaptable. All that is required is some tissue paper in the same color as the candle, some suitable rubber stamps and inks and other coloring medium as required.
Design Idea:Heat embossed images really stand out from the candle and add to the finished effect. Try coloring the images with marker pens.
Design Idea:Heat embossed images really stand out from the candle and add to the finished effect. Try coloring the images with marker pens.
4. Embroidered Rubber Stamped Hearts
Kate Pullen
Heart shaped stamps can be used as templates for embroidery. Most outline stamped heart images are ideal for embroidery and being small projects are quick and easy to complete. The finished embroidered hearts can be made into jewelry or used as decoration for tablelinen, charms for candle holders or simply for decoration.
Design Idea: Instead of embroidering around the outline of hearts, fancy fabric paints such as dimensional or puff paints could be used. Many of these paints come in easy to use bottles and can be applied without the need of a special applicator.
Design Idea: Instead of embroidering around the outline of hearts, fancy fabric paints such as dimensional or puff paints could be used. Many of these paints come in easy to use bottles and can be applied without the need of a special applicator.
5. Stamp Table Linen
Why not have a Valentine's Day theme running through the entire house? Plain table linen can be found relatively cheaply and is easy to decorate with rubber stamps. Stamping on cloth and fabric is very straightforward and napkins, table runners and table cloths are all easily given a Valentine's Day makeover.Special fabric inks are available and it is also possible to use fabric paint as a stamping medium. Both inks and paints are available in a wide range of colors.
Design Idea: Rather than stamp an image with fabric ink or paint, an interesting variation is to stamp the image with normal dye ink and then paint the image using fabric paints. This is a good way to introduce a range of colors without having to over stamp.
6. Rubber Stamping Tablewear and Ceramics
Turn plain ceramics into a Valentine's delight with simple stamping techniques. Most ceramic paints that are suitable for use in a dishwasher are 'fired' in a conventional oven. Ceramic paints also require 24 hours to cure prior to firing therefore projects using these paints need to be planned in advance.Other ceramic items could be stamped. Plain tiles, for instance, would make lovely coasters and would follow the hand stamped Valentine's Day theme.
Design Idea: Rounded shapes, such as cups and bowls, take a little more care to ensure that the image does not smudge. One way to stamp rounded shapes is to use unmounted stamps. By holding these gently on the tips of your fingers the stamp can be pressed around a shape.
7. More Valentine's Day Stamping Ideas
- Heart border templates - for quick handmade cards
- Sentiments and greetings for Valentine's Day cards - personalize cards with a special message
- Valentine's Day card ideas - quick to make cards
- Romantic Printables - ideal for Valentine's Day projects
