Making a Stamped Seal for Your Cards

Welcome back to another installment of The Stationery Show. All month long, I am creating projects that showcase all the delectable details of stationery! When I first came up with the idea for today's project, I was totally jazzed. I had the basic image of how it would turn out, but only sort of knew the process. Honestly, I was afraid that if I screwed this up, I'd ruin one of my favorite stamp sets! But, I am pleased to let you know that no Avocado Arts stamps were harmed in the making of this card! WHEW!

Stamp seals are totally AMAZING. They're gorgeous and add beautiful texture to fine stationery. They were used to ensure that important envelopes were not intercepted, or opened by someone other than the recipient. The seal would have to be broken in order for the envelope to be opened, a dead giveaway that the envelope was read.

Thankfully, no seals had to be torn or destroyed for this project! However, I do have to admit that this particular technique took a lot of trial and error to get right. But, all that isn't important, because I created this beautiful seal with two things, Avocado Art's Sending You set and hot glue!

I loved the melted look and raw edges. It makes the seal look more realistic! But, I do have a secret to share with you. Are you ready? This was not the best seal that I made! *Smacking my head!* Oh, this is a great "Emily story," a story in which I overlook a very important detail. The seal that originally was used for this card was perfection! However, when I attached it to the card, me being the excited nut that I am, adhered it with hot glue! Mind you, the seal is made of hot glue. So, part of the seal melted away, and the envelope detail was lost. I didn't notice this problem until after I edited the photos, and was staring at the photoshop window, wondering why it looked weird! When I realized what happended, I ran upstairs, gently tore the old seal off and replaced it with the runner up (and used double-sided tape to adhere it). I was so bummed, but I still think this seal looks great!

materials: Sending You Set  | pink hot glue | hot glue gun | wax paper

|1|  Gather your supplies: a pink glue stick, a glue gun (I bought a low temperature gun for colored glue, so I wouldn't get the glue all over my regular glue gun), and the envelope stamp. Choose a stamp that isn't too detailed. Layout the wax paper on your surface.

|2|  Heat up your glue gun and "shoot" some hot glue onto the wax paper in a raised dot. Be careful that you don't spread it out too much and make sure your stamp is ready to place on top of the glue. If you wait too long to position the stamp, the glue will dry.

|3|  Firmly, but carefully "stamp" the envelope onto the hot glue, and let sit for about 12 seconds. I tried lifting the stamp immediately, and that didn't work. The glue has to dry and harden a little bit, so that the image will set.

|4|  Carefully, lift the stamp from the glue seal. Trim from the wax paper with scissors. If there is excess glue dried on the stamp, just peal it off! You can remove excess glue off the stamping block with some nail polish remover.

I had a blast making this stamped seal. I hope that you give it a try. Remember, today is the 15th, which means the whole Pit Crew is bringing you beautiful projects with this month's current set, plus a sneak of next week's set.

Teri Anderson

Kelley Eubanks

Ashley Harris

Cristal Hobbs

Emily Leiphart

Julie Masse

Vera Yates

You may have noticed that two names are not listed here. Latisha Yoast and AJ Otto have been designing for Avocado Arts since the beginning. After nearly three years, we say goodbye to them as they move on to new ventures in their lives. I love these beautiful women, and grew even closer to them at this past CHA. They're the kind of genuine friends, that you only come upon once in your life. They will be greatly missed, and helped make Avocado Arts the family that it is. I wish them the best!