Hello Everybody! This is Roberta and today I would like to show you how easy it is to create an up-cycled home decor gift working with Ann Butler Designs stamps and inks.
First Impressions are very important!
Yes, I suppose the pun is intended, but I would like to start by sharing my own first impression of the products. Like so many of you, I have used TONS of different inks and stamps over the years. Many of them are interchangeable and really don’t stand out.
Ann’s inks pads, Crafter’s Ink by Ann Butler Designs can be described in one word,’ JUICY!’ They are super juicy and such a pleasure to use. There is no struggling or tapping the pad to your stamp numerous times because once is quite often enough.
The stamps are also excellent quality; super clingy and they really grip your inks resulting in rich, crisp images every time.
And now on to the show!
What did I use? 
- 4 wooden blocks, 2” square
- Acrylic paint, Wedgewood Blue
- 2” stamps
- Paint brush
- Textured shelf liner
- EZ-De’s Easy Design Elements for Stamping Alphabet stamps
- Ann Butler Earth Safe Finishes Iridescents in Lipgloss
- Unity Stamp Company 1″ faux quilting stamps ( Leaves all Over, Stripes.Dots.Hearts. and Diamonds & Plaid)
- InkadinkaClings
- Wet wipes
I grabbed these wonderful 2” wooden blocks for $2! They are solid and have a nice weight to them. They have been sealed which means I couldn’t stamp directly onto the blocks and instead of sanding them (yuck – messy) I chose to paint them with DecoArt acrylic paint first which covers the surface beautifully and dries very quickly. With my blocks freshly painted I can start decorating them.
Instead of spelling out a word or just stamping random images I decided to ‘break up the set’ and create 4 individual gifts. I chose 4 friends and for each one I am making them an alpha block with the first letter of their name.
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- Paint the Earth Safe Finishes paint (AQUAMARINE) directly onto patterned shelf liner
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- …then press it on the block
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- Earth Safe Finishes – LIPGLOSS
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- Sometimes you can’t find an acrylic block
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- These lids make great ‘acryclic blocks’
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- Love the 1″ faux quilting stamps!
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- Look at the beatiful impression
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- cut up this bag and the possibilities are many. I used this one little bag to complete 6 projects!
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- Use Beacon’s Tacky Glue to adhere to block
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- The Iridescents leaves a beautiful texture and sheen
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- Love my blocks! I hope my friends do too!
Decorate to your taste. Add embellishments. Go crazy! It’s always fun to recycle and up-cycle.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Roberta I love this project and all of the great tips you gave….so cool!
Thank you, Ann!
Great detail and instructions. Thanks Robi.
Always happy to make you happy, Pam! Thank you for visiting!
Love this project Roberta.
Thank you so much, Steph!
Roberta, this is such a cute project! I have tossing an idea around to make blocks with my grand daughters name…now you have inspired me!!! Thanks!
Thank you Vickie. It’s always wonderful to know we’ve inspired someone, isn’t it? Ann’s inks are deliciously vibrant. <3
Whoa, Roberta, this is one packed full post of tips and trick’s that would inspire any crafter!!! Well done my friend. Great showcasing of the Ann Butler, stamps by Unity, Ink by Clearsnap, EZ-De’s Stamps, ABC.
Thank you very much, Ava. It was a lot of fun and certainly a project that can be kept very simple, or really advanced.
Roberta, Great project and a fabulous tutorial!!!
Thank you, Lisa. I’m glad you liked it 🙂
Wonderful creation and excellent tutorial.
Love the amazing tips and tutorial. These are beautiful
I am glad you liked my post, Vishu
Wow. Love it. Very cute.