Riikka Kovasin - Paperiliitin: Just Create

Moikka! Today I'm sharing a journal project with you I created for Prima Marketing. My goal with this project was to play with inks, stamps and the 3x4 pad, kind of to show that you don’t always need a bunch of embellishments and big sheets of paper to make a layered project.

When I’m asked my crafting basics, I usually incorporate at least one ink in the list. Because if you have an ink pad and some stamps, you have access to a great multitude of things. You can create backgrounds, embellishments, pattern paper and write titles and text. I highly recommend building up a stash of supplies you can use over and over again – like stamps and stencils.

I started with just the mini pad and the stamps, but in the end, I felt like adding some other touches, too. But I took a photo of the project with just the stamped details, nothing more added. While the gesso splashes add light and the Mechanicals bring contrast to the piece, it was looking OK with just the stamped embellishments. A few doodles with a dark pencil might have done the same effect than the Mechanicals, without the dimensional part, of course. You can see the "just stamped" version on top of the post and the one with the embellishments after the video.

So, it’s not always having a multitude of embellishments but more like going around creating them yourself! Hopefully I inspired you! Have a great day stamping, thank you for stopping by today!

There's some tips underneath the next photo!

Tip 1. Layers, layers, layers! Repeating the same element can be highly effective. In this journal page I created a rose bush out of single roses, just adding a bunch of them on top of each other in an angle. Also varying the color of the flowers gives a nice touch, creating an illusion of light and shadow.

Tip 2. Know your inks. Ideally you need two types of inks - others for creating backgrounds with a watercolor effect and others that won’t bleed when you color the stamped images with watercolors. That is inks that react with water and inks that are permanent. If you are just starting your creative journey, I’d go for the permanent ink and actual watercolors, because then you can make backgrounds and color.

Tip 3. If you are going for a vintage look, old book pages might be an obvious solution. But try kraft colored cardstock as well! The neutral, warm tone fits the palette and solid color might just add the desired contrast to the piece. It’s also perfect for stamping some embellishments!