Make good impression with versatile stamps

Owning a collection of rubber stamps is not unlike having your own portable print shop. These small-scale crafting tools are affordable, easy to use and unexpectedly versatile. With a little know-how, you can create designs that resemble silk-screening, stenciling or typesetting.

Stamps are available in almost any design imaginable — look in crafts stores or search online for sources (try www.hankodesigns.com and www.rubberstamptapestry.com). Don't be afraid to experiment. Try combining different stamps in a single design, or repeat one stamp multiple times. Play with scale, too, using small stamps on large surfaces and large stamps on small surfaces. Or layer one color on top of another, to give the illusion of depth and dimension.

Apply patterns to almost any surface: paper, fabric and even objects found in nature, such as stones, leaves and seashells. Even tables and chairs can be your canvases — use a decorative stamp and some latex paint. You can also customize clothing and linens with special inks that won't fade or run in the wash.

There are no fancy tricks involved. All you need to make a big impression are some stamps and ink or paint — and a little creativity. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

CUSTOM GIFT TAGS

Stamp plain gift tags with a pretty pattern or special message. To create an allover design, use a patterned stamp that has a greater surface area than the tag. Customize messages using special multiletter stamps from crafts or office-supply stores.

INSPIRED BY NATURE

Objects from your collection of rocks, shells, driftwood and leaves have a place at the table — use them to weight place cards or as place markers themselves. Select a stamp that bears an image appropriate to the object it will imprint. You might rest an egg stamped with the image of a hen in a store-bought nest with a paper tag lettered with the guest's name. A seahorse can similarly adorn a seashell picked from the beach.

PLAIN TO PRETTY

Dress up paper party products, such as napkins and plates, with a set of stamps, creating a matching set. The surfaces of recycled-paper cups and other items readily absorb ink, making them perfect for stamping. Try stamping green leaves and pink flowers together for an attractive floral motif, or use animal stamps for a child's party.

STYLISH STATIONERY