Ink Stamped Patterned Paper
Turn those odd little stamps you’ve been collecting into whimsical patterned paper you can cut into hearts, birds, cups, buttons, and more.
Gather a handful of small stamps—those extras from stamp sets, planner stamps, or thrift-store finds. Wooden stamps with simple shapes work especially well. Choose any paper you like: watercolor, mixed media, card stock, or even copy paper.
Start by adding stripes of color with paint or ink blending. Play with widths—some thin, some wide—and mix up your colors or tones. If you prefer a seamless look, tint the background to avoid white gaps. Once dry, pick a stamp to match each stripe and begin stamping across the stripe. Use archival or Stazon ink if you plan to re-wet your paper. Go bold with black or white, keep it monochrome, or mix colors freely. With clear stamps, you can line up a few on a stamping block to speed things up.
Layer other media if you wish—acrylic markers, metallic pens, or water-soluble crayons for more patterns and colors. When your pattern is complete, die cut shapes that showcase it clearly. Avoid overly intricate designs; keep to simple, bold silhouettes like hearts, cups, flowers, or birds. You can also scissor-cut primitive hearts for a rustic boho look.
Experiment with as many color and stamp combinations as you can dream up—those overlooked little stamps might just become your new favorite design tool.
Happy paper crafting!