Stamping – Summer Sky

Hiiiii! Whew, I’m so glad I’m back! Hopefully I won’t be MIA again…like ever.

SO! Let’s get started! Over the summer, I logged my adventures in a little notebook that I made. The notebook is super easy because it’s so small- simply cut out pieces of paper double the size you want your notebook to be, then sew up the midline (the spine of your book) with a needle and embroidery thread. That’s it! Seriously, you just made your own notebook!

Hiiiii! Whew, I’m so glad I’m back! Hopefully I won’t be MIA again…like ever.

Now, for awesome decorating:

Supplies:

-Thin markers & Pens
-Scissors
-Tape (Clear Scotch tape & Washi tape)
-Stamps and Stamp Pads
-Colored Pencils
-Stickers

Of course these are just the things I used; you could get so creative with this project! If you’re using media like thick markers and paints, just keep that in mind as you’re making your notebook so you can create the pages with thicker paper!

Here are some of my pages, just to give you inspiration:

I’m not sure if you can see it in the pictures, but the markers I had tended to bleed through the pages. I just used white printer paper and some gridded/lined paper for the pages, so if you love markers, you may want to use light colored construction paper, at least.

Yay! Guys, I’m obsessed with notebooks and office supplies. It’s so bad. But this is a great way to creatively journal and use up my notebooks!

Have you ever had that problem where you have this fabulous craft project idea, with perfect, gorgeous stamps and such? And then realized that you didn’t have that exact stamp, and the effect is totally disastrous without it? And have you ever looked at the prices of stamps at Hobby Lobby?! Um, HELLO, not many crafters are millionaires. (Sorry Hobby Lobby, I really love you!)

Thankfully, there’s a way (as always) to create the stamp you need for super cheap! And you only need 5 things to make it, haha!

Materials:

-Clean corks, like from wine…
-Craft knife
-Warm Water
-Marker
-Paper towels
-Rock (optional)

1. Soak your corks in the warm water for about 2-5 minutes. Cork floats, so this is where your rock could come in handy- go ahead and weigh the corks down with the rock.

2. Take your corks out and roll them in the paper towels, so they’re not dripping wet. If you want, cut the cork in half so you can make two stamps. Draw the shape of stamp you want on the flattest end of the cork piece.

3. Cut out the surrounding cork. Do this by cutting vertical lines down about a 1/4 in deep to outline the general shape of your design. Turn the cork on its side and cut partially through to remove all the excess pieces. Then go around with the same method to clean up and tweak any edges or points on the shape. I’m not sure if these instructions were clear, so ask questions if you don’t understand!