Are you ready ? It’s time to dive into the world of collage art and apply it to our card making. This week’s tutorial focuses on how to create simple stamped collaged card fronts. I’m going to take you step-by-step through a very basic process for creating one dimensional collages with stamped images. Be assured that there isn’t just one way to make stamped collages, nor is there any wrong way to collage. I think the process I demonstrate will be helpful to encourage you to jump in and collage with whatever stamp images you have in your stash. Let’s get started.
Stamp along with me step-by-step to see the process of creating a simple collage in the video tutorial and download the pdf to help you get started.
Before You Begin – What to Collect
Before you dive into creating some stamped collage art I suggest you shop your stash of supplies & tools to collect some items you will need. The most important supply you need is a stamp set (or two or three)! Then choose 3 ink colors (2 ink colors of the same hue and one coordinating or contrasting color) in addition to a black ink pad.
Here are the supplies I think work well for simple collages. Information for all of these supplies can be found at the bottom of this post.
Basic Stamped Collage Supplies
- Classic Ink Pad colors
- Blending Brushes
- Masking Paper
- Decorative Masks (stencils)
- Memento Tuxedo Black ink
- StāzOn® Jet Black Ink
- Stampin Spritzer
- White Craft Ink
- Water Painters
Additional Collage Images to Consider
- Distressed images
- Words, letters & numbers
- Background texture images
- Border images
- A mix of line art images and solid images
- Splatters & spots
- Shape images
Collage Card Dimensions & Elements
- 5-1/2” x 8-1/2” card base
- 4” x 5-1/4” coordinating cardstock
- 3-7/8” x 5-1/8” neutral cardstock
- White or neutral cardstock for sentiment
- 3”-4” ribbon layer
- 3 embellishments
Easy Collage Layouts
- Perpendicular lines
- Opposite corners
- Around a shape
Simple Collage Stamping Step by Step
- Determine a layout for your collage and the area you want to use on your card front.
- Choose your focal image and stamp in black ink on the card stock in one of the three basic locations. Create a mask of this image out of Masking Paper (or sticky note) and place directly over the focal image.
- Choose the next image (next largest image) and stamp it in the darkest ink color (of the two with the same hue) multiple times (2-4) and in different directions around the focal image keeping in mind the general layout you are working towards. Definitely feel free to stamp this image without reinking to vary the tone of this color. Gently use a Blending Brush to create soft areas of color arounds where the images have been stamped.
- Choose the other ink color in the same hue and stamp words/lines/background images over and around the focal image to create the layout. Continue to stamp these images without reinking as needed to create depth and variance in the collage. Follow up with a Blending Brush and the same ink color to burnish the color around the images. Make sure all the area around the masked focal image is burnished well.
- Choose a smaller collage image and stamp it in the coordinating/contrasting ink color 3 times in a triangle shape around the collage. Use a blending brush and the ink to blend over the image. This adds pops of color.
- Stamp any smaller collage images last repeating any ink color that seems needed. This is a great time to add splattered dot images or textured background images to fill in any empty spots.
- Optional: Dilute some black ink refill with water and use a paint brush to splatter black over portions of the entire collage.
- Peel off the masking paper carefully and be amazed at your collage.
- Mount the collage onto the 4” x 5-1/4” piece of coordinating cardstock (can be the same as the darkest hued ink color used). Add the layers to the card base (can be the same color as the lightest hued ink color)
Simple Collage in All 3 Layouts
I wanted to test my collage process on lots of different stamps sets to see how it would work and I was so pleased to find that I could apply these steps with all kinds of images. What do you think?
Now it’s your turn to try it. I challenge you to shop your stash of supplies and find collage components needed to make simple stamped collage cards! Then come show your creations in our Facebook group, Robin’s Really Super Stampers.
Product List
Whisper White Craft Stampin’ Pad
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This collage video is invaluable!!! SO helpful! I love collage cards but have never felt able to make them. These steps make me eager to plunge in and make cards as beautiful as yours! Thank you, Robin!!
Lynne! Thank you so much for your enthusiasm for my tutorial and valuable feedback. I’m thrilled that you were able to glean some tips for making collages and I hope you PLUNGE away!
I just tried my first collage card! I’d seen both videos on collage techniques and got myself started, but got lost in the process. I went back to the first one, picked up my blending brush, and got right back into. It. Thank you for your clear explanations and multiple suggestions on how to accomplish the desired result. I actually spattered for the first time tonight. And I think my card looks pretty good.
Hi Linda! I bet your card looks amazing! I’m so happy you just kept going and working through it. I wish you many more stamping collage moments!😍