Stampstracts Bookmarks By Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

I thought it would be fun to make bookmarks to donate to our local library and the school where our neighbor’s daughter teaches third grade. Bookmarks are such an easy project and they’re a fun treat to keep on hand for visiting kids, to make for book club friends, and to keep for ourselves. (I leave bookmarks in my cookbooks so I can turn straight to favorite recipes!)

This batch features Stampstracts rubberstamps by Kae Pea from RubberMoon, made with a ‘slice and dice’ method. Each one has two or more layers so they’re relatively sturdy, a tad too thick and lumpy to laminate. I never mind when bookmarks wear out. I toss them and start with new ones! And my friends know that my box of bookmarks is always at the ready whenever they need ‘free refills’…

Another option: If time is short, start with a sheet of cardstock, stamp in a random manner until the entire surface is covered, add a dash of color here and there with markers or pencils. Laminate the sheet and slice it into six 8.5” long strips.

To duplicate my samples:

1. Cut an 8.5” x 11” sheet of off-white speckled cardstock into three equal 11” long strips. (Or almost equal - Eyeball it if you don’t feel like measuring.) One sheet yields five bookmarks. Cut more strips if you want a larger batch!

2. Using a variety of Stampstracts stamps and 3 different dye inks, stamp each strip with a repeat pattern as shown or as you prefer. TIP: Get the kids in on the act. They’ll love creating their own patterns and it’s a fun shared activity.

3. Color inside and around some of the patterns using markers in colors that coordinate with the 3 dye inks.

4. Cut each strip into two pieces - 6" and 5". Set aside the three 6" pieces to use for 1-pattern bookmarks. (Another option: Cut the strips into two 6" pieces for six 1-pattern bookmarks. Skip step 5.)

5. Tape the 5" pieces together and then cut the new rectangle into two 3-pattern bookmarks as shown below.

6. Complete all five of the bookmarks by adding one or two solid color cardstock border layers in coordinating colors.

7. More options:

Punch a hole at the top and add yarn, ribbon, or a tassel.

Stamp or computer-generate a reading-related quote for the back of the bookmark.

Sign and date each of your unique Stampstracts Bookmarks.

Enjoy!

SUPPLIES

• Stampstracts (RubberMoon)
• 3 inks of choice
• Markers of choice
• Cardstock in off-white and assorted solid colors
• Double-sided adhesive tape or glue stick

Ladies in Waiting by Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

My new Lynne Perrella Collection stamp sets have taken up residence on my work table, that’s why I’ve started referring to them as Ladies in Waiting!

This week’s project began with three sheets of speckled white cardstock. I cut one piece into 10 Artist Trading Cards, one into quarters for postcards, and the last into five 8.5” strips of varying widths for bookmarks.

My 2-step goal:

• Combine my newest stamps with some of my favorite ‘oldies’!
• Use some of the completed ATCs or postcards to create some cards.

Your challenge: Do likewise. Choose your favorite set, or pick up more than one so you can mix and match among them. And add in stamps that you already have on hand.

If you’re just starting to stamp, this project provides a good excuse to pick up some sentiments and small motifs – there are so many wonderful options at The Queen’s Ink. (And even if you own a lot of stamps, it can’t hurt to add others, right?)

ATCs (above)

1. Cut an 8.5” x 11” piece of heavy cardstock as follows:

    Two 2.5” x 11” strips, leaving a 3.5” x 11” strip).

    Cut the 2.5” strips into three pieces, each 3.5” long.

    Cut the 3.5” strip into four pieces, each 2.5” high.

2. Stamp each rectangle as shown or as you prefer.

    Combine one large image from the Lynne Perrella set with a mix of small stamps.

3. Color with markers, pencils, pens, and paints of choice. Ink the edges.

4. Optional: Do MORE – add collage elements, low-relief dimensional embellishments.

POSTCARDS (above) AND BOOKMARKS (keep scrolling)

1. Start with a quarter sheet of cardstock for each postcard or a narrow strip for each bookmark.

2. Stamp as shown or as you prefer. Do a bit of masking here and there for the illusion of depth.

3. Color with markers, pencils, pens, and paints of choice. Ink the edges.

4. Optional: Do MORE to the cards – add collage elements, low-relief dimensional embellishments. Laminate the bookmarks for added durability.

OPTION: MAKE CARDS

Take ATCs and postcards to the next level by adding them to card fronts. Each of the cards below includes an ATC, plus solid color cardstock as the card base and assorted embellishments. Glittery mesh, wire-edge ribbon, handmade paper, glitter heart stickers, a piece of gold foil from the neck of a bottle of sparkling cider all put in an appearance! The cards are standard A2 (4.25” x 5.5”) with a side fold.

Here are two close-ups to show the glittered mesh across the eyes on one card (very ‘Lady Gaga’, don’t you think?) and the cider bottle foil and handmade paper on another.

SUPPLIES

• Lynne Perrella Collection from Paper Artsy
•  Sets LPC035 and LPC036
• Acrylic blocks for temporarily mounting stamps
• Additional rubber or clear stamps of choice
• Speckled or plain white cardstock
• Solid color cardstock in assorted colors
• Dark brown ink or other dark color ink of choice
• Glittered mesh
• Handmade paper
• Assorted embellishments and collage elements
• Adhesives of choice

Lynne-Velopes by Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

When I saw them on the table at The Queen’s Ink I couldn’t decide which of Lynne Perrella’s new stamp sets to take home so I got all three. The next decision – what to stamp first - was just as easy. As soon as I got home I reached into the bag and opened the first set I touched and stamped some envelopes, always one of my favorite ways to get to know new stamps.

I used only three of the four stamps in the set and mixed in two Stampstracts from RubberMoon that were already out on the table. The fourth stamp in the set was too tall for the envelopes I’d grabbed, but it’s a terrific image and will be put to use soon.

Then I retired to my easy chair to add color to some of the Lynne-Velopes (named as a shout-out to the designer who created them). I went with markers, a gold paint pen, and colored pencils. I left the rest alone. Stamped in black as shown, or navy or wine or chocolate brown, they’re elegant without any extra color.

The stamps do much of the work, each one a collage with a mix of elements combined. But together the ‘wow factor’ kicks in! I can’t wait to open the other two sets. Things will get even more interesting…

Tips:

*Do a little bit of masking if you want, or let the stamps overlap here and there; second generation images are a great way to get light gray images.

*Leave space for the postage stamp, name and address if you’re mailing the envelopes.

*Stamp anywhere and everywhere if you’re going to include the envelope in a gift box or hand-deliver it.

Why envelopes? Because they are small, inexpensive, and meant to be ephemeral. And I just love stamping them!

Care to join me?

SUPPLIES:

• Lynne Perrella Collection from PaperArtsy - Stamp Set LPC037
• Stamstracts from RubberMoon – Effervescent and Scribblestract
• Black ink
• Acrylic blocks for temporarily mounting stamps
• Envelopes (shown: A2 in ivory)
• Markers
• Gold paint pen
• Colored pencils

Stenciled Mixed Media Envelope Journal by Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

I brought an unfinished envelope journal with me to Seth Apter’s 52 Card Pickup class in January. The cover had only some torn cork and leathery paper on it and a couple of streaks of iridescent copper paint. I had it with me because some of the envelopes contained bits of interesting papers and ephemera I thought I might want to use as collage elements.

At one point in the class, while waiting for paint to dry on the cards, I picked up a couple of Seth’s brand new stencils I’d been using, a cosmetic sponge wedge and black gesso and worked on the journal cover. During another break a bit later I used a glue stick to adhere some torn paper pieces of black and gold metallic handmade paper that had been tucked inside one of the envelopes.

But the cover needed MORE…

When I got home, I pulled out a beaded dangle with a scarab charm (an orphan earring), a strip of suede lacing, some copper metallic braid, and a scrap from a sweatshirt that had been so uncomfortable till I cut off the ribbing and revised the neckline.

It didn’t take me long to decide what would go where. Sometimes projects take on a life of their own and make the decisions for us, I think, and this was one of those times.

I used an awl to poke holes for all of the sewn-down elements. I used a tapestry needle and the copper braid to secure the suede and twine to secure the top end of the beaded dangle – leaving all of the knots visible on the front of the cover.

I used glue to hold the ribbing in place along the right side of the cover (the inside of the front cover is shown in the photo above), and a snippet of a Power Adhesive Tab to keep the scarab charm at an angle.

The photo above shows the inside of the back cover in its current unfinished state.

The photo below shows the first two envelopes in the journal, one small one, the rest larger and the same size.

YOUR TURN

To make an envelope journal you’ll need the following:

• Envelopes in various sizes (handmade or store-bought)
• Heavy chipboard or mat board for front and back covers
• Stencils of choice
• (shown: Make it Count S396 and Numbers L184 by Seth Apter, StencilGirl Products)
• Acrylic or other paint(s)
• Cosmetic sponge applicator
• Paintbrush
• Assorted collage papers and embellishments
• Adhesives including glue stick, wet glue, Tombow Power Adhesive Tabs (to secure dimensional embellishments)
• Awl
• Piercing mat (to protect work table)
• Metallic braid, twine, other threads
• Tapestry needle (large eye, blunt tip)
• Binding system of choice

HOW TO

1. Envelopes can be all the same or assorted shapes and sizes. Cut the front and back cover pieces to match the biggest envelope you’ve selected.

2. Create a mixed media collage on the outside of the front and back covers, only the front cover, or the outside and the inside of each cover. Add something to the edge, as shown (ribbing from a sweatshirt), or omit that step if it’s not to your taste.

3. Alter some or all of the envelopes with stencils, inks, collage, stamping, embellishments.

4. Bind the journal. Write on the envelopes, stuff them with whatever you want to keep!

5. More options:

Add tabs to the top of envelopes.

Add lined or unlined paper or chipboard pages or dividers before, after, or in between the envelopes for drawings and notes.

Get the kids in on the act! This is a SUPER project for children. Choosing their own array of envelopes is lots of fun. The finished book gives them a place to keep all sorts of flat-ish treasures, drawings and more.

Make JUMBO envelope journals from the biggest white or manila envelopes you can find at an office supply store or make with your own array of papers. Use heavy mat board for the covers. Bind with split key rings or pieces of fabric.

Go for TINY journals. Use gift card, ATC-size, or coin collector’s envelopes!