Stamp of Approval
Can't paint or draw but still want to send a handmade card?
According to these crafty elves, it's easier than you think.
Rubber stamps and various embellishments can turn blank card stock into one-of-a-kind greetings.
Cheryl O'Day is among a growing group who incorporate crafts into their social time.For 15 years, the Butler Township woman has belonged to a stamping club called the Rubber Dolls, which meets monthly to do stamping projects and exchange creative ideas.“At the beginning of each year, we kind of make up a schedule: Everybody volunteers ... to show a new technique or demonstrate something new,” said O'Day, 56.“We have a theme for each month, usually. We all make 10 cards, we take them to club, and you bring home 10 different ones that everyone else in the club has made,” O'Day said. “It's a lot of fun.”As well as using various rubber stamps, O'Day said many enthusiasts incorporate layers of card stock that might be embellished with ribbon or other decorative objects.Much like a pasta machine, a device called a Cuttlebug can be used to emboss the paper with various designs. But no special equipment is required.‘It's amazing the things we've used,” said O'Day, describing how the 25-member group has dabbed card stock in shaving cream swirled with ink to create an interesting pattern of color.Despite that clever technique, O'Day said anyone can stamp.“If you can put ink on a stamp and put it on a piece of paper” you can stamp, she said.
Stamping opportunities are still available to those who describe themselves as creatively challenged.Jackie Nicklas and her cousin Cathy Johnson co-host events on alternate months at the Presbyterian Church of Prospect, where attendees pay a set fee to assemble cards designed and prepped by the two women.“We design four different cards; they make three of each. They go home with a total of 12 cards,” said Nicklas, 57, noting 10 to 25 women usually attend.After six years of hosting the events, the women have developed a mailing list, but many hear of the opportunity through word-of-mouth.Although making social connections and lack of creative confidence motivate some who attend, Nicklas said some simply want to make cards without buying and storing lots of supplies.
For those who do amass supplies, cards can be stamped at home by people like Karen Hartman, whose schedule began to conflict with attending rubber stamp club meetings.“Most of (the designs) are off the top of my head,” said Hartman, 66, of Summit Township, who also has attended stamping parties and read about stamping in books.Hartman said it's easy for most stampers to continually buy new stamps and supplies, but the hobby has existed long enough for some of the trends to change.Where stamps once came adhered to wooden blocks, many now are sold unmounted, taking up less space by sticking to one acrylic block that can be used over and over.A machine called a Sizzix once was used to make die cuts and do embossing largely has been displaced by the lighter, more versatile Cricut, which performs many more functions.Stamping parties are common, Hartman noted, since only larger craft stores carry a wide selection of rubber stamping supplies.One thing that hasn't changed, agree O'Day, Nicklas and Hartman, is the joy many experience when sending or receiving a handmade card.“I probably mail out at least 30 cards a month,” said O'Day, explaining many go to elderly friends in senior centers or nursing homes. “That brings me the greatest joy.”Nicklas agreed.“People people call me up and just say ‘Wow. That was just a really nice card, and thanks for thinking of me,'” Nicklas said.“I think it just kind of shows that you cared enough about that person to take the time.”
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