Faux Postage
by Beate Johns
This technique is fun and easy and gives your cards a unique look. The first time takes a little more work because you have to make your mask.
Supplies
Classic Pads (Waterbased Inks)
Sponge Daubers or Sponges
Acetate
Window sheets or other acetate, such as overhead transparencies
Faux Postage pieces (2)
Ruler or straight edge Craft Knife
Hermafix transfer (removable tape)
Cutting Mat
Fiskar's Postage Scissors (optional) [ buy it ]
Step By Step
Step 1.
Download and Print the faux postage sheet. Cut the sheet apart to make four separate templates.
Download (PDF, 40K)
Step 2.
Now let's make a mask. Tape your window sheet over one of the faux postage templates.
Using a ruler and craft knife, cut out each rectangle leaving 1/8" border around the printed lines.
Pop out the rectangles you cut. Your mask is finished!
Step 3.
Tape your mask over your other faux postage piece. Center the windows over the faux postage rectangles.
Step 4.
Use your sponge dauber to color the inside of your rectangles.
Step 5.
Stamp in your image in one postage rectangle at a time. If neccessary cover the others up.
Step 6.
Add more or a different color around your image.
Step 7.
Cut closely around your faux postage piece with a postage scissor.
Variations
Your own template
Create your own template and the possibilities are endless with this technique. The downloadable template in this tutorial uses the Tables feature of Microsoft Word to create the grid pattern. If you'd like to try varying the one we used, you can download an editable version here. (Word doc, 40K)
Get crazy
Do a little poking around on the web and you'll find a whole world devoted to fake postage. This site has more templates that you can download and use. And this site sells all sorts of related supplies. Wow.
Your Turn
You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! Faux Postage is the technique focus in our March, 2004, monthly contest. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery before the contest deadline. Other members will see your creations, and you could be a winner!
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