Stamped Gift Tissue Paper

This month's Somerset Studio magazine had an article on making decorative tissue paper, using stamps.  This was just the type of project that I was looking for-it's quick, easy and inexpensive.  Placing decorative tissue paper inside a gift box makes the gift presentation even more special.  Decorative tissue is available in the gift wrap aisle of most stores, but it's more expensive than plain white tissue.  Most crafters have a variety of stamps and stamp pads sitting around waiting to be used in a project, so the only real investment is the tissue.

Stamped Tissue Paper

I used a French theme for the tissue that will line the inside of the box containing the Enchanted Pumpkin Carriage.

Directions for Stamped Gift Tissue Paper:

Marie Antoinette and Louvre stamps from Stamp Franciso
Color Box Fluid Chalk Ink-Charcoal
White Gift Wrap Tissue Paper
Heat Gun-I used Ranger Heat-It tool

1.  Lay tissue on a sturdy flat surface. Lay a second piece of tissue under the tissue to be stamped, to absorb any excess ink.  Tissue paper is not consistent, some brands are thinner than others and ink bleeds through the surface.

2.  Ink the Marie Antoinette stamp (or the stamp of your choice) with the charcoal ink. Make sure the entire surface of the stamp is covered evenly with ink. Stamp the image in the lower left corner of the tissue. Press down firmly on the stamp and lift it straight off the paper (don't twist the stamp while lifting it up).

3.  Ink the Louvre stamp with the charcoal ink and stamp next to Marie Antoinette, leaving a little space between the images. Press down firmly on the stamp and lift it off the paper.  Stamp the Louvre above Marie Antoinette. Again leaving some space between the images.

4.  Stamp Marie Antoinette next to the Louvre and above the Louvre.  Re-ink the stamp after each stamping, to ensure a crisp image.  Continue to stamp the images in an alternating pattern until you reach the end of the tissue paper.

5.  Use a heat gun to set the images.  It only takes a few seconds of heat to set the image.  Do not overheat the image or the paper will scorch and start to yellow and turn brown.  I really like the Ranger Heat-It tool because it has a low air flow that gently heats the surface without scorching it.  I had always used a Black and Decker heat gun, that my husband had purchased for me, but the high air flow and temperatures always scorched my paper and scattered my embossing powder everywhere.