Learn to create the look of old world stained glass with your stamping projects. Choose art-stamps suitable for the stained glass look. Either a specially designed stained glass image or an image that has large interior spaces in the design.

C H O O S I N G   P A P E R

BACKGROUND: Choose a colorful paper as background, such as gift bag, a glossy magazine page, a calendar page, etc. Stamp in black, and emboss with black powder. (We suggest using a black pigment ink because it is very wet, allowing the powders to stick well.) Remember to leave at least a ¾" margin around the outside of your stamped image so you have room to cut and mount the piece. Cut the image out and mount it on cardstock.

VELLUM PAPER: Semi-transparent paper, also called drafting vellum. Stamp the design in black ink on vellum paper. Heat emboss using black powder. Turn the paper over and use Marvy or LePlume markers to color in the design. Because the vellum paper is slightly transparent light passes through the paper showing the color, even though you applied the color from the back side. Vellum can be used for a brass stencil design and mounted like stained glass. Try using colored pencils to emboss instead of your burnisher.

TRANSPARENCY FILM SHEETS: You must use copier or laser ready clear sheets, able to withstand heat for the embossing process. If you have trouble with the powder sticking to the clear sheet, wipe it with a fabric softener sheet to reduce static. Stamp the image in black (be careful when using pigment ink, this surface is very slippery.) Emboss the image with clear powder. Color in the design on the front side with Marvy or LePlume markers. Use clear embossing powder and sprinkle over the entire design, covering all areas you have colored in. Heat emboss the entire design from beneath to give it a glassy look.

DARK COLORED CARDSTOCK: Try stamping a stained glass image on dark paper. Use clear embossing ink to stamp, and then heat emboss with white or metallic powder. To color, use chalk. Apply chalk heavily, sponging on repeatedly. The effect is very elegant, giving a texture almost like suede.

I D E A S   F O R   M O U N T I N G

USE A TRI-FOLD CARD (3 panel): Cut out frame in the center panel with an X-Acto® knife. Mount the transparency on the backside of middle panel cut out, using double stick tape. Looking at the card from the front center panel, fold over the right panel to cover the back side of your cut out frame. Use double stick tape or glue to hold the panel down. If you want the light to shine through the stained glass design, cut two of the same frames on both the center and right panels, mounting the stained glass piece in between.

USE A REGULAR BLANK GREETING CARD (2 panel): Cut a frame out of the front and tape down stained glass piece from the back side. Line the back side with another piece of cardstock.

USE A SEPARATE PIECE OF CARDSTOCK: Cut out frame in the center of both pieces (or from both panels if using a folded card) Mount the stained glass design between the two pieces, lining up the two frame cut outs one on top of another. Try black cardstock for your frames. It gives the stained glass a very dramatic emphasis.

See related tips for techniques for each kind of stained glass material:

Stained Glass: Transparancy (Acetate)
Stained Glass: Vellum
Stained Glass: Pinstripe Vellum