Have you seen them? You know, those little stamps that are scattered among the big beautiful image that caught your attention to buy the set in the first place… Yes, I’m talking about small stamps and filler stamps! Are you stumped for ideas on how to use them? Today we are making an impact!

But first, I wanted to let you know that this is part of my Take 2 Series with Altenew and I’m so excited that you are joining me for another video today.

Get your glasses on, and take a look in your stamp sets for those ‘small’ filler stamps, these little fellas certainly can pack a punch! Here’s a peek at today’s cards,

You can see the video below or watch it HD at YouTube.

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I use affiliate links, this means that if you click on a product that is linked to an affiliate shop then I will receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you).
This is a great way to support my channel as well as the shops that I love!

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Today I have 5 TIPS to make those Small Stamps shine!

Small stamps are often included, as filler stamps in many stamp sets.  They offer wonderful opportunities to build on a design, but, I also know that it can sometimes be difficult to know exactly where to start when using them.  Today’s fun set, Bloom & Evolve is choc full of small stamps and I have a ton of tips and a video sharing how you can use these and still make a big impact.

TIP #1 – Bold Background

Using small stamps does not mean that you have to create a ‘white space’ clean and simple card (don’t get me wrong, these are one of my faves to make). But, nothing adds impact like a fabulous bold bright background.  I decided to create my own blended bright stripes, but you could just as easily use design paper a background stamp or a cover die.  This gives your small stamps a ‘place to be’ and  it’s a great way to bring the colours and the elements together.

For example, these small images are cute and fun, so I chose a color combination that suited the style of these stamps. 

I also think that the stripes give the background a modern vibe.  By simply changing up the feel of a background to suit the small stamps, it will help the flow of the design.

TIP #2 – Create Patterns

But you can build on this idea.  Why not use the small stamps in a repeat pattern to create the background!  Repeat patterns are fun to build and a small stamp can have a big impact whether it be in a background or stamped in a circle such as I did here.  The Stampwheel made this technique very easy to do.

TIP #3 – Pardon the Pun

I love a play on words, and this little ‘Bee’ became part of the sentiment today.   Another way to stretch a small stamp is to use it ‘instead of a letter’.  For example, you could use a small image stamp, such as a christmas bauble, instead of an ‘O’ in the word JOY.

TIP #4 – Add Details

Small stamps are great to add details to a design.  I will typically stamp them the same as I would add other embellishments, such as Gem Sparkles or sequins.  I usually use a visual triangle and an odd number of stamped images, such as 3 or 5 as I did here on this card. 

TIP #5 – Focal Point

So you have your background, you may even have a repeat pattern, now what?  Why not stamp and color multiples of these small images and put them together to create a scene.  Small flower stamps can be joined to create a bouquet, a garden or even a floral border on a card.  It’s easy to build on this if you have some leaves, a vase, a butterfly or maybe even a bee?

But for me, mostly I will create a focal point with less rather than more images. It’s almost like creating a small scene with just a few images, something for your eye to focus and rest on, it’s the highlight of the design!

Both of today’s designs have a bright bold background, except this one is a blended rainbow instead of stripes.  It’s still fun and cute and works well with these small stamps.

Why not take a closer look at your stamp sets, many of them have small images and filler stamps, and with a little imagination these can certainly make a big impact on your next card design. These small stamps may be more versatile than you think! 

I hope you are inspired to add some small stamps on your next handmade card project! If you do, don’t forget to share them on social media with me, I’d love to see what you make!

Sending crafty hugs your way today,

Also, just in case you want to do a little shopping I’ve added the links below (some of them are affiliate links which means that I will receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you). I truly appreciate your support of my card adventures!

Other Supplies:
DIes: Altenew – Tall Alpha Lowercase
Altenew Artist Markers: B201 | B802 | C001 | Y205 | R105 | R107 | C025 | C026.

Affiliate links are used

Bloom & Evolve ALT | SSS	Through the Rainbow ALT | SSS	Versatile Greetings 2 ALT | SSS	Fine Rings: Circles Die ALT | SSS
Birthday Builder ALT | SSS	Masking Paper ALT | SSS	Neenah Solar 110 AMZ | SSS	Neenah Solar 80 AMZ | SSS
Obsidian ALT | SSS	Embossing Ink ALT | SSS	Permanent Black ALT | SSS	Red Sunset ALT | SSS
Sunray ALT | SSS	Peachy Keen ALT | SSS	Berry Cool ALT | SSS	Mini Blending Brush Set ALT | SSS
Artist Markers ALT | SSS	Black Onyx ALT | SSS	Pure White ALT	WOW Heat Tool SSS
Powder Tool SSS	Tweezers ALT | SSS	Fine Blade Scissors ALT | SSS	Score Board ALT | SSS
Stampwheel ALT | SSS	Stampwheel Square Grid Flip Plate ALT | SSS	Slimgrip Sticky Mat ALT | SSS	Sticky Grid Mat Ultra ALT | SSS | SB
Center Alignment Guides ALT	9″ Fiskars Paper Trimmer AMZ | SSS	Mini Blossom ALT	Bearly Art Glue SSS
Glue Tape ALT | SSS	Foam Tape ALT | SSS	Satin Masking Tape ALT | SSS