Stamp-a-ma-jig Thing-a-ma-jig

As many of you will already know I have a love of all things retro and as such I have fallen in love with the new A Rose is a Rose stamp set. It just looks like the material of one of my 1950's dresses! This stamp set is a Two-Step stamp set and to get the alignment right you really need to use a Stamp-a-ma-jig. They are superb and a life saver! With this in mind I thought I would do a tutorial for those who aren't sure about them. Here's how they work:

First of all, stamp your main image.

Now the Stamp-a-ma-jig comes into it's own. The black handle is moulded at a right angle. It has a right angle on either side so it is suitable for both right handers and left handers. You need to butt the plastic sheet right up against the handle as shown.

Now the plastic is aligned with the handle, ink your second image stamp and butt the wood up against the handle ie match the right angles to each other. Then stamp. You will end up with the image on the plastic sheet like this:

You then use this image on the plastic sheet to align over your first stamped image, like so:

Then just repeat the process you have just done. Once the image on the plastic is aligned to your liking on your base image, butt your handle up against the plastic.

Remove the plastic, keeping the black handle in place. Then ink your stamp and stamp on top of your original image, butting the stamp up to the handle which you use as your guide (as you did before).

Now all you have to do, after you've stamped the top image, is to congratulate yourself on being such a cool and clever stamper to produce such brilliant gorgeous work!

All that remains is to make cards with said images!

This card was made using Regal Rose ink for the rose and Old Olive ink, cardstock and Designer Series Paper for the leaves and card.

On this one the inks used were Barely Banana and So Saffron for the rose and Old Olive for the leaves, with Basic Gray and Barely Banana cardstock and Old Olive ribbon.

The Stamp-a-ma-jig is not just for Two Step Stamping though. How many times have you ruined a scrapbook page or card because you got the sentiment or an image in the wrong position? I know I have loads of times! The Stamp-a-ma-jig stops this happening, it basically turns all yoru wooden stamps into clear ones - or if you prefer, gives you Superwoman/Superman x-ray vision to see where you're stamping! :O)

Just before I go here's a little tip - if you use a stamp set a lot (like I'm going to be using this one) it saves time to stamp your images onto sheets of vellum to keep with that particular stamp sets. Just saves you having to mess around stamping images on your plastic every time. With the vellum it's ready to go all the time!

I hope you enjoy this tutorial and it makes sense! Any queries please just get in touch.

TFL! Joanne xx