Step into stamping with this beginner's guide to cardmaking with stamp -Crafter's Companion US

Stamping is such a great way to get started in papercraft and card making. It's straightforward to learn, doesn't require many tools and creates some seriously impressive results!

But don't just take our word for it. Take a look at this guide to creating a Bee-Youtfiul card with stamps - no die-cutting required! With detailed instructions and images to guide you every step of the way you'll be a stamping pro in no time!

You will need:

Optional:

One of the greatest things about stamping is that it's so versatile - you can use any stamp design, card, paper or ink colour you like! The following instructions will work for so many different card designs, so you can really let your creativity take the wheel.

Step-by-step instructions:

Take a sheet of A4 (8.5” x 11”) White Stamping Card and fold in half to form your card base

Cut a piece of Pearlescent Green card so that it fits onto the front of your card base, leaving a ¼” border of white around the edge

Trim a piece of patterned paper from the Bee-Youtiful pad so that it fits on the green card piece, leaving a ¼” border around the edge. This process of layering card and paper in decreasing sizes is called matting.

Cut a circle with a 4.5” diameter from the Pearlescent Green Card. Cut a circle with a 4” diameter from White Stamping Card. You can also use a die cutting machine for this step if you like. Follow the instructions on your machine to die cut the largest circle from the nesting die set in Pearlescent Green Card, and the second largest in White Stamping Card.

Time for some stamping!
- Flip your stamping platform over so that the feet are pointing upwards. Place the main bee body stamp on the platform surface - it should self-cling straight away.
- Take the black ink and apply a good coating to your bee stamp. Gently flip the platform to its right side and position above the white circle of card
- Press down the stamping platform with even pressure, release to reveal your stamped image!
- Repeat with the smaller bee body stamp and honey pot ink to add stripes and the wing stamp and baby blue ink to complete your bee. Arrange the two wreath pieces on either side of your bee and stamp using black ink

Take your Blending Tool and using small amounts of Smoked Pearl ink add some definition to the edges of your bee’s wings. Colour the leaves of the wreath using a TriBlend Citrus Green marker

Either using a craft knife or a die cutting machine, stamp some of the small flower decorations from the Build a Bee stamp set and cut out. Colour using the Gold Yellow TriBlend pen and pop a stick-on gem into the centre of each flower. Attach the flowers to the stamped garland design and stick the finished white circle onto the larger green circle.

Choose your sentiment and stamp using black ink onto a small piece of White Stamping Card. Stick onto a slightly larger piece of green card.

Arrange your sentiment piece and finished bee centrepiece on your card front and attach using glue or a glue tape pen.
Tie a piece of organza ribbon into a bow and attach as a finishing touch.

You're done! Take a moment to admire your finished card creation before writing a personal message inside and sending it off to brighten someone's day.

If you've caught the stamping bug and want to know more, why not take a closer look at stamping technique with our handy guide, or check out the full range of stamps, inkpads and tools in our stamping category!

We can’t wait to see your stamped card makes! So, make sure you share your project photos with us on Facebook UK, Facebook USA, Twitter, Instagram UK, Instagram US, Pinterest UK or Pinterest US using the hashtag #crafterscompanion