One of my all time favorite products to hoard collect is patterned paper. I just can't resist buying packs of pretty patterns. I'm thinking it's kind of like the fabric that my grandmother collected. There just seems to be something about us women (and some of you guys out there too!) that draws us to collect pretty things. Patterned papers often inspire my projects, but today I'm letting them inspire me in a little bit different way. Do you ever see a pretty pattern and think "Hey, I could make that with stamps!"? Well, that's what I played around with one hot summer afternoon this week -- challenging myself to recreate patterns using only stamps, ink, cardstock, and a little imagination. It was a fun way to jumpstart my creativity and just have fun stamping!
Now...of course I could just use the patterned papers (and I do!), but sometimes I just like to sit and stamp. It's relaxing and fun...but sometimes I get stuck in a rut or don't know what to stamp. This was a great jumpstart and a fun creative exercise! But it probably won't stop me from buying patterned paper. :-)
Some patterns are obvious and instantly bring a certain stamp set to mind. Like this paper from Echo Park's Note to Self collection. It reminds me instantly of the Get to the Point stamp set.
And here's my take on it! I stuck with basically the same color scheme, but since I'm stamping my own, I could do this in any color combo my heart desires.
And the card I created with it...
Sometimes, a geometric pattern can be very inspiring, like this paper from Crate Paper's Story Teller collection...
Those repetitive banners reminded me of the banner from Banner Builder and jumpstarted the idea for stamping them repeatedly in the same manner to create a trendy pattern...
And the card I created from my stamped banner background...
I kept it very simple and stamped my sentiment at an angle along the top edge of the banners and just added lots of fun baker's twine.
Now these first two patterns were pretty basic and straight forward, but there are some other patterns that I wanted to dry to duplicate that were a little more of a challenge! I love this fun print from Amy Tangerine's Sketchbook collection
I decided to pull out my Delightful Doilies set and see what I could come up with. I decided to flip several of the smaller doily stamps around and stamp with the backside of the stamp to create the circles of solid color. I also included a few tiny stamps from Beautiful Blooms II, stamping them with the backside in the same manner. I used Soft Stone cardstock as my background.
Then I turned them onto their right side and stamped the doily images onto the circles with Versamark and heat embossed them with white powder. It was such fun to see the design come to life. And I'm kind of partial to my version because of the added texture of the embossing!
I created a cheery birthday card with my stamped paper...
I kept it simple -- since I went through all the trouble stamping the background, I didn't want to cover too much of it. I just added a bit of grid paper and a sentiment from Just the Ticket, surrounded by brackets from the new Modern Alphabet die set.
Lastly, was the most challenging pattern of the group. I adore this paper from the Simple Stories Fabulous collection. I've used this paper on a few projects, but I thought it might be fun to see if I could create something similar with my stamps. I know...I'm a hopeless DIYer.
So I started with some Vintage Cream cardstock and the Library Ledger stamp set. I stamped the grid using Aqua Mist ink, which I actually stamped off once so it would be super light and fade into the background. Then I took a circle which I had punched from a scrap of cardstock and traces around it several times to act as a guide for stamping my flowers.
I chose some small flower stamps that I thought would work well. I started by stamping the largest flower and the cluster of three flowers (both from Tag-its #5).
Then I took some tiny flowers and dots from Beautiful Blooms II and filled in the empty areas in each circle. I created a sample circle on scrap paper before I started stamping on my cardstock. This made it go really quickly since I could stamp all of the same flowers at the same time. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it went and how closely I was able to come to the design of the paper!
And here is the card I created from my stamped version of this pretty paper....
I used the Card Base-ics #2 die, the Fabulous Frames die and a sentiment from the Natural Beauties exclusive Stamp-a-Faire set (available tomorrow only!!! 7/21/12)
Well, that was kind of fun. It won't stop me from buying patterned paper, I'm sure, but it's just another reason to love it! But from now on, if you're lusting after some new paper, but aren't able to make that purchase just yet, I challenge you to see what you can create with what you have! You might be surprised!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you all around for Stamp-a-Faire tomorrow! I've got 6, yes SIX!!! blog posts going up throughout the day tomorrow! yay!
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Oh my, so much work!! But result is fabulous and worth taking all that time!
Posted by: Maja/Oliwiaen | July 20, 2012 at 05:28 AM
Betsy, You are a creative genius! Beautiful, just beautiful!! My favorites are the first and the last- love the flower circles! And thanks for giving me validation for being a paper hoarder- even though I will never be able to convince my husband that I don't need to enroll in a 12 step program! Have a great day!
Posted by: Pat | July 20, 2012 at 05:45 AM
Betsy this is amazing, I will look at my patterned paper in a different light now.
Posted by: Linda in Aus | July 20, 2012 at 05:55 AM
I am speechless - you have out done yourself. Thanks for the amazing inspiration.
Posted by: Stacy Simpson | July 20, 2012 at 06:12 AM
Love this Betsy, thanks for the inspiration!!!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 20, 2012 at 06:24 AM
My Olympics score card says "10." Each pattern was brilliantly executed and, as always, the cards you made are fabulous. You have me inspired. TFS!
Posted by: Donna | July 20, 2012 at 06:30 AM
You are officially the Queen of creating patterned paper! These ideas are not only beautiful but so fun. I love playing around with such ideas but rarely follow through with an actual project-thanks for the double inspiration!
Posted by: Suzanne Russell | July 20, 2012 at 06:31 AM
Absolutely gorgeous "patterned paper" you've made there. You earned four gold medals.
Posted by: June K. | July 20, 2012 at 06:41 AM
Genius! You never fail to impress! Love each of your "DIY" patterns... So great! :)
Posted by: Jennifer Harris | July 20, 2012 at 06:43 AM
Gorgeousness! I really like YOURS best too! All of them. What a great tip. TFS hugs
Posted by: Diane Oliver | July 20, 2012 at 06:48 AM
Wow! What a great job. I never really thought about making my own patterned paper. Amazing!
Posted by: Debbie B | July 20, 2012 at 06:48 AM
These are wonderful projects, Wonderful inspiration!
Posted by: Stacy | July 20, 2012 at 06:58 AM
Simply amazing! Your recreations are spot on!
Posted by: Krystal | July 20, 2012 at 07:00 AM
Amazing! I do love your takes on each of the patterned papers. I do like to make my own paper too but probably don't and won't go to the lengths you do! Thanks for the great ideas, Betsy, your cards are very beautiful:)
Posted by: Kathy H | July 20, 2012 at 07:00 AM
I'm floored - this is just fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing a bit of your genius :)
Posted by: Elena | July 20, 2012 at 07:02 AM
What an awesome idea! I never would have thought of trying that and they turned out so super cute!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Carolee
Posted by: Carolee | July 20, 2012 at 07:12 AM
FAN.TAS.TIC. What amazing inspiration you've provided us!! Thank-you!
Posted by: Shannon Wyman | July 20, 2012 at 07:17 AM
Betsy you are amazing! Such great ideas you share with all of us...and I soo love your color choices!! I know what I'm going to do this afternoon! Thanks!!!!!
Posted by: Pat J | July 20, 2012 at 07:23 AM
Amazing!! Love your style!! Like you, I hoard(scratch that) adore beautiful patterned papers!!
Susie
Posted by: Susie | July 20, 2012 at 07:29 AM
These look awesome Betsy! You are so creative with your stamps and ink pads.
Posted by: Monika/buzsy | July 20, 2012 at 07:30 AM
Very impressive! Love all the beautiful papers you created and the wonderful cards as well! TFS!
Posted by: Cindy Major | July 20, 2012 at 07:33 AM
What wonderful papers you created! love the bright summery colors!
Posted by: Julia Aston | July 20, 2012 at 07:33 AM
Great ideas and beautiful papers. I too have used the backside of a stamp set, but I did it by mistake and tossed it, who knew I could use it. Thanks for the tips.
Posted by: Nancy Lempinen | July 20, 2012 at 07:38 AM
you are simply amazing betsy!
Posted by: kimber mcgray | July 20, 2012 at 07:40 AM
Absolutely amazing!!! Love your thought process and the resulting DIY pp's!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Renee VanEpps | July 20, 2012 at 07:47 AM
I never understood why stampers don't make their backgrounds more often. We have all the materials and it is great for the creative juices! Thanks for your inspiring post - I hope more crafters take this approach.
Posted by: NancyK | July 20, 2012 at 07:48 AM
Fun post! Love the stamping flowers in the circle idea!
Posted by: Lynn Darda | July 20, 2012 at 07:56 AM
THIS.....IS.....FABULOUS! WOW!
Posted by: Kim Marie Leach | July 20, 2012 at 07:58 AM
How fun is this???? Love how you created your wonderful papers, and the finished cards are awesome! Thanks Betsy!
Posted by: Luanne Ford | July 20, 2012 at 08:02 AM
You, my dear, are ingenuity defined.
Posted by: kathy/NorthCarolina | July 20, 2012 at 08:10 AM
YOU are soooooooooooooo clever and such a great inspiring artist...!!
LOVE it so much will for sure make some papers my self!
Posted by: Holly Saveur | July 20, 2012 at 08:19 AM
I think you should seriously considering designing pattern paper! I like your designs better than the orginals!
Posted by: Leigh Ann Baird | July 20, 2012 at 08:31 AM
You are too amazing, Betsy! Absolutely brilliant and so clever. T say I admire your creativity is insufficient. Wowser!!
Posted by: Carol Ann Ater | July 20, 2012 at 08:32 AM
Seriously, I love everything you do and this is just awesome!!!
Posted by: Daniela | July 20, 2012 at 08:48 AM
So inspiring, Betsy! Thank you for sharing. Meeting you and the other talented PTI ladies at SAF last year was such a fun experience. I just adore your artwork!
Posted by: CarrieP | July 20, 2012 at 08:52 AM
Absolutely beautiful. I have tried this in the past, but did not get as wonderful results as you.
Posted by: Michelle Le breton | July 20, 2012 at 08:55 AM
This is an amazing, fabulous post!!! I love each of your examples and you've explained them so clearly~ Thanks for letting me follow your design process!! Wonderful ideas Betsy!
Posted by: Rebecca Deeprose | July 20, 2012 at 09:02 AM
Love this!! I'm also addicted to patterned paper but thanks so much for showing me how to make my own!
Posted by: Carolyne Aarsen | July 20, 2012 at 09:10 AM
Thanks for opening another creative door in my brain because I would have never thought of this...and I love this. What a gift you have and to share it with us leaves me in awe of your creativity. Any very thankful; thanks!
Posted by: Linda L in TN | July 20, 2012 at 09:12 AM
Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing! I've got to try to create some of my favorite paper patterns!
Posted by: Nina Yang | July 20, 2012 at 09:13 AM
Hi Betsy. Thanks so much for the details of how you did this. I'm definitely going to try this! Great cards too!
Posted by: Karen Rose | July 20, 2012 at 09:13 AM
Oh my gosh! How fun is this! I can't wait to look in my stash for patterns to duplicate! I love making the most from my stamps and you definitely have shown me the versatility and usefulness of them! I also forget you can use the back of stamps to get solid images. Must remember that too. You are brilliant! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Shelly | July 20, 2012 at 09:15 AM
WOWIE WOW WOW! LOVE these!!! :) You never cease to amaze. Just beautiful - thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Tracey C. | July 20, 2012 at 09:47 AM
Oh WOW,you are simply amazing, the stamped papers are beautiful and the finished cards are lovely. I will think twice now when I look at my stash, my new motto:what would Betsy do? :-) thank you so much for sharing your talent and gift with all of us.
Posted by: Caroline | July 20, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Love this! I HOARD, yes hoard my patterned paper because if I use it I won't have it anymore. But if I can STAMP it, I can never run out! Now I can look at my stash as an inspiration collection, LOL!
Posted by: Lynne Phelps | July 20, 2012 at 10:15 AM
I have made my own designer paper and it's so satisfying to use the stamps you own instead of going to the store, trying to find some paper to match what you're working on and leaving empty handed...(or with more paper and you still don't have what you went for!) Great job!
Posted by: debby | July 20, 2012 at 10:19 AM
Wow, these are so cool! Thanks for some great DIY inspiration.
Posted by: Lisa T | July 20, 2012 at 10:21 AM
What a fantastic post, Betsy! I love your blog and usually don't comment, but this totally got me out of my seat! Love all the patterned papers, especially the banner one. Also love how you have multiple examples!
Posted by: Kelly Griglione | July 20, 2012 at 10:24 AM
Are you kidding me?!? This is unbelievable Betsy!! You are a genius!! Wow! Way to inspire us..fabulous..I'm speechless!!
Posted by: Dawn | July 20, 2012 at 10:28 AM
Fantastic work!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Posted by: alexandra s.m. | July 20, 2012 at 10:36 AM
I'm WITH YOU Betsy, on creating your own Patterned paper! I DOES take ALOT of work!!! You did a FABULOUS JOB on your paper! :) I LOVE ALL of the cards you made with your paper too! :) THANKS FOR SHOWING US!!!!!!!!!! :)
Posted by: Becky Green | July 20, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Can I just say that in my humble opinion, YOU ARE THE BEST!!! Love this idea and now I'm off to the Kraft room to get inky! Rubber hugs for today!
Posted by: Jan in Tucson | July 20, 2012 at 10:53 AM
HELLO! You are awesome, Betsy!!! These are beautiful! Thank you for always inspiring and sharing your talent!
Dani
Posted by: Danielle Flanders | July 20, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Absolutely fabulous! Very motivating! Imagine me using some of my precious patterned paper! Yippee!
Posted by: Linda | July 20, 2012 at 11:15 AM
You are super creative! Love the ideas you shared today...for I too, am a paper hoarder.
Posted by: LMcBurney | July 20, 2012 at 11:16 AM
Holy cow, Betsy!! These are amazing! You are so creative in your use of stamps. I'm totally going to try the flowers in circles (and I'm thrilled that I already have all those sets) and I LOVE your doily paper (but I'm crying that I don't have that set). You are amazing!
Posted by: Melissa Ladd | July 20, 2012 at 12:00 PM
This may have been the most inspiring blog post that I have ever read in my life as a scrapper!! My God girl, where do you come up with this stuff? You are so talented and creative and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your amazing ideas with us!!
xoxo, Christine
Posted by: Christine Ousley | July 20, 2012 at 12:15 PM
I love seeing your creative process; thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Judy | July 20, 2012 at 12:45 PM
WOW, Betsy, you a definitely our hero and stamping guru! You always come up with awesome techniques and gorgeous cards. This is no exception!
Posted by: Kathy Mc | July 20, 2012 at 02:00 PM
Fabulous cards! You are such a talent!
Thanks for all the inspiration. :-)
Posted by: Sherry in MI | July 20, 2012 at 02:21 PM
So impressed and blown away! I too am a paper hoarder, and love the idea of replicating my favorite patterns. That last one you shared, the flower circle pattern, is amazing.
Posted by: Cassi | July 20, 2012 at 02:52 PM
Oh my, they are all so amazing!! You win first prize for being the most innovative DIY~er . I honestly think there's nothing you can't figure out how to create. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Birgit | July 20, 2012 at 03:27 PM
Beautiful papers...and gorgeous cards created from them! Thank you for such an inspirational post!
Posted by: Lynda Marquez | July 20, 2012 at 04:19 PM
WOW!!! Beautiful!!! AWESOME!!!
sherry107
Posted by: Sherry 107 | July 20, 2012 at 05:10 PM
This is one of my favorite things to do!! I love using my stamps to make my own paper!! I love seeing what others do it inspires me to use other stamp sets I have in different ways! Great post Betsy!
Posted by: Jessie McLaughlin | July 20, 2012 at 05:33 PM
Omg seriously? You are the best. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Lenae | July 20, 2012 at 05:43 PM
Really great idea Betsy!! You sure showed us that background papers are easier to stamp than we thought!! Thanks!!
Posted by: Helen LeBrett | July 20, 2012 at 05:44 PM
Betsy, great ideas and who knew you could do so much with pattered paper. Thanks so much.
Posted by: Carole | July 20, 2012 at 06:18 PM
Great job - love all the results! You are quite the talent...
Posted by: Susan S. | July 20, 2012 at 06:45 PM
You are amazing and your projects are beautiful!
Posted by: Gina | July 21, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Amazing! Jaw dropping! Inspiring! Thanks so much for going there... it totally jump starts creativity! Wowzers!!!!!!
Posted by: Morag | July 21, 2012 at 01:40 PM
I hate to repeat the exact word that everyone else is using, but it just fits... These are all AMAZING! The way you duplicated that last pattern (a favorite paper of mine actually) with the circles and flowers is so cool! :)
Posted by: Mendi Yoshikawa | July 23, 2012 at 02:45 PM
Betsy - I somehow missed this post during all the stamp-a-faire loveliness! Your cards are, as always, incredible! I just love the way you recreated the papers. I still can't believe all of the work that everyone put in to the event this past weekend! It truly was a wonderful world-wide event! Thanks for all you did and do! :)
Jill / Seattle, Wa.
Posted by: Jill Norwood | July 25, 2012 at 06:29 AM
Absolutely love that last card you created. I like your PP better than the original!
Posted by: maria f. | July 30, 2012 at 07:48 AM
Your cards are jaw dropping! Especially the ones on this post! I'm yelling!
Posted by: Betty Anderson | August 20, 2012 at 11:40 AM
SO beautiful and inspiring!!! LOVE your ideas and your work!
Posted by: M | February 28, 2013 at 02:16 PM