So, you have decided to take up rubber stamping, but find choosing stamps and inkpads costly? Well here is a tip for all of you who have collection of water based markers for your scrapbooks. Markers by Zig, Tombow, Close to My Heart, Stampin Up, etc., are great for this simple project. There is a wonderful technique called “direct to rubber”. This versatile technique is easy to do, requires no stamp pads, and works wonders in your scrapbooks.  

Choose any style rubber stamp. I like to choose something with detail, such as a flower with petals, a stem, and leaves. Now choose a few colors of markers. Color the flower in the colors you would like it to be with your marker. You can even mix colors together to give some variation. Then color in the stem and leaves in shades of green. 

The next tip helps keep the ink wet for your impression. Hold the stamp about 5” from your both and exhale sharply a couple of times onto the stamp. The moisture from your breath will moisten the ink and help give a nice, clear impression. Next, simply stamp onto your paper. And, viola, you have a stamped impression using no inkpad. You can add a rainbow effect using this technique by using a solid stamp. (A solid stamp is one that does not have lots of detail or lines to it.) In addition to the stamp and markers, you will need a fine mister bottle and some distilled water. Fill the bottle with the distilled water. Now, draw squiggles all over the surface of the stamp. I have some nice solid stamps of leaves made by Close to My Heart. I use their markers in autumn colors for this project. Next, lightly spray a very fine mist of water into the air, letting it fall onto the stamp. It will moisten the ink and blur it a tiny bit. Stamp onto your paper, and you’ll have a subtle rainbow effect. This is also great for fruit, flowers, and any stamp with no detail to it. 

Happy Stamping and if you have any questions write to me at Scrapbooking.com