How to Stamp a Border

Rubber stamps offer endless possibilities for decorating a room or wall.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rubber Stamps
• Paints Or Ink
• Yardsticks Or Tape Measure
• Chalks
• Rulers
• Rubber stamps

1. Choose the area you want to paint and decide on a design.

2. Mark your border, if you wish. Use a yardstick or tape measure to mark the desired height, then join the marks using chalk and the yardstick so that you end up with a faint, easily removable line that runs all the way across the wall or around the room.

3. Collect your stamp or stamps.

4. Pour a small amount of paint or ink onto a smooth, flat surface such as a glass pie plate.

5. Place the stamp gently onto the paint, then stamp it on the wall.

6. Use a ruler to find your next target - hold it above or below so you don't smear the paint - then repeat the process.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice first. Use a quick, firm motion with no twist or slide to avoid smearing.
• Some people like to use a smooth roller to apply ink or paint to the stamp.
• Rubber stamps come in an amazing variety of shapes and characters, and of course you can always make your own with wood or linoleum blocks. But unless you want to hand paint the stamp each time, each stamp represents one color. If you want to incorporate different colors into the border, choose separate stamps with complimentary shapes or images.
• Stamps are flat. If your walls are irregular, consider another technique such as sponge painting.

on 11/22/2005 When doing handprints small infants may put hands into mouth, so my mom suggested to use her feet!!!

on 11/22/2005 If you don't mind cleaning up paint-smeared hands later, use yours, your children's or your friends' hands as "stamps." Make sure you use paint that can be washed off with soap and water.