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Stamp Style These projects will get every crafter's stamp of approval. From "Creative Juice" episode DCRJ-708

(Continued from page 2)

Stamped Mailbox

Special delivery! This letter-perfect idea is perfect for brightening up a boring mailbox.

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Stamped Mailbox

Materials:

flat pop-up sponge (we used Sponge ’Ums by Hygloss Products)
pen
cookie cutters: large flower shape and medium circle
scissors
water
paper towels
metal paint
metal mailbox
vinegar
waxed paper
foam paintbrush
acetone or nail polish remover (optional)

1. Use cookie cutters to trace flowers and circles onto the pop-up sponge; cut out the shapes. On a piece of pop-up sponge, roughly 2"x4", draw a freeform grass design and cut out. Cut out one shape for each stamp color so you won’t have to wash and dry the sponge between each color application (figure A).

2. Wet the cutouts to expand the sponges (figure B). Squeeze out as much water as possible; blot with paper towels to remove excess moisture (figure C).

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

3. Clean the mailbox with vinegar, rinse with water and let dry before proceeding.

4. Lay out a sheet of waxed paper, pour a small amount of metal paint on the paper and dip a flower sponge in the paint. Blot off any excess paint and stamp the mailbox. Gently tap each petal to make sure a clean impression is left on the mailbox (figure D). If air bubbles appear in the paint when you lift the stamp from the box, gently blow on them to pop them.

5. Pour a second color of metal paint on the paper. Dip a circle sponge in the paint and stamp directly on top of the flower shape (it’s okay if the flower is still wet). Repeat the pattern to create different colored flowers on the mailbox (figure E).

Figure D

Figure E

6. Pour a small amount of light green paint on the paper. Dip the tip of a foam brush in the paint and stamp a stem for each flower (figure F).

7. Wet the sponge, blot dry and using dark green paint, stamp grass along the bottom edge of the box (figure G). Let the mailbox dry for 24 hours before using.

Figure F

Figure G

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