A great way to create a custom look for your projects is to create your own patterned paper using stamps and ink.   In this way, you can customize projects using your own colors, themes and patterns!

First, start at one corner stamping your image.  I used Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Smoked Sea Salt cardstock by Flavours Gourmet (which happens to be on sale this month!).  You can use the same image all over the paper, or you may wish to mix several images together.  I like to stamp in a triangle pattern throughout the paper, always keeping the images about the same distance apart.  Depending on the look you like, you may want to rotate the stamp each time you stamp it, to give the paper a more random look.   

I also like to stamp off the edges of the paper, to give it the true look of a larger pre-printed paper.  After stamping, you may wish to add color or embellishments to your image.  In this example, I chose not to to add any color to the background paper, to allow my stamped and colored image to “pop.”  

I used Flavours Gourmet cardstock in Squid Ink (dark grey) and Chili Arbol (red).  I cut the Squid Ink square at 2 ½”x 2 ½”, the Chili Arbol at 2 ¼” x 2 ¼” and Curious Metallic’s Cryogen White  cardstock for the 2x2 square.  I used CTMH’s Card Word Puzzle for the images and sentiment.  Copic Colors Used: R24, R27, R29, R85, G99, G94 and YG 85.    I finished off the flower with a Bitty Opaque Pearl by CTMH. 

The ribbon is leftover Halloween ribbon, believe it or not!  I like to use cheater bows whenever I can - in this example I used Tombow adhesive to adhere the ribbon across the front of the card.  Then, I tied two ribbon knots and adhered with glue dots.  Viola!  Looks nice and lays flatter for mailing!

Creating your own patterened paper can help you customize your project toward a couple’s wedding colors, a graduate’s school colors, or anything else you can imagine!

Happy Stamping!