Saturday, May 3, 2008

Stamp-a-Ma-Jig Tutorial

Your Stamp-a-ma-jig comes with the tool itself, along with a transparent imaging sheet (shown below). 
The imaging sheet is intended to be stamped upon and can be used over and over if you clean it regularly.  For this tutorial, however, I am going to substitute Vellum cardstock for the imaging sheet because I want "permanent" imaging sheets to be kept with this stamp set.  That way, I won't have to create the image each time I need it - it will already be done.  To make permanent ones, I cut several pieces of Vellum into 5 1/2" squares and once they are created, they will be stored in the plastic box along with this stamp set.
To prepare these imaging sheets (either permanent Vellum sheets, or the one that comes with your Stamp-a-ma-jig), place the sheet up into the corner of the Stamp-a-ma-jig as pictured above.  Some people like to use theirs with the handle of the Stamp-a-ma-jig pointed away from them (flip it 180 degrees from what I have in these pictures), but I prefer to do mine like shown here.  In addition, if you are left-handed, you will use the corner on the other side of the handle... it works either way.  The main thing to remember is that once you choose a position, you need to stick with it!!  If you switch it around, you will not get the right results.
Pictured below, my Vellum sheet is up in the corner of the Stamp-a-ma-jig (it's hard to see the Vellum in this photo).  I then took this stamp and butted it up into that same corner and then lowered it down to touch the Vellum and make an impression.
I then rotated the Vellum and stamped a different image in each corner (pictured below).  Again, it is very important that you position your Stamp-a-ma-jig the same way each time.  I will be using these same sheets over and over again, so I used black StazOn ink.  If you are using the Imaging Sheet that comes with your Stamp-a-ma-jig, and will need to change the image each time, DO NOT use StazOn ink!!  You'll need to use any regular Classic or Craft ink so you can clean the sheet after each use.
This particular stamp set has 28 stamps in it, so I used 7 squares of Vellum with 4 images each.  Here's a picture of a few of them. 
If you followed the steps described above, you will not have to make imaging sheets ever again for this stamp set... just place them in the box with your stamp set and they'll be ready when you need them!
Now that we have our imaging sheets made, let's make a little man!  To begin, choose the body part you want to start with and stamp it onto your cardstock.  I started with his shirt.  Be sure you allow room for the other body parts!
Next, find the Imaging Sheet with the part of the body you want to stamp next.  Place that Imaging Sheet over your cardstock and line it up exactly where you want it to be stamped. 
Take the Stamp-a-ma-jig and position it against the Imaging Sheet.
Now, holding the Stamp-a-ma-jig in place (DON'T let it move!), remove the imaging sheet, ink up the stamp, butt it up into the corner, and stamp the image onto your cardstock. 
Wasn't that easy?!  Now we'll repeat these steps with each of the other body parts.  Let's do the little guy's head next.  Position the imaging sheet with the head you want over the body exactly where you want it.
Get the Stamp-a-ma-jig into position...
 ...remove the imaging sheet, and stamp the head onto the cardstock.
Do the same thing for the arms. 
Below you can see that instead of using the other arm stamp, I rotated the same arm so that he will be waving. 
Finally, I'll add some glasses.  This would be virtually impossible without the Stamp-a-ma-jig!! 
And here he is!!  Perfectly lined up and ready to be colored so he can brighten someone's day!
In addition to using the Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up your stamps as shown above, it can also save the day when an image does not make a full impression... without the Stamp-a-ma-jig, it is virtually impossible to stamp in the same place twice.  But from now on when this happens, grab your transparent imaging sheet, make a quick image, lay it over the poor impression, line it all up and stamp it a second time!
And if that's not enough for you... how about making shadows??!  They looks fabulous with alphabet stamps!  Stamp the letter in the color you want, then make a shadow by shifting the image just a tad and stamping it again in Going Gray or some other lighter shade.  Beautiful!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and learned how to properly use your new Stamp-a-ma-jig tool!

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