The Complete Guide to Decorative Stamping: Decorate Your Home Simply (Watson-Guptill Crafts) (Paperback)

by Grace Taormina (Author) "The creative boundaries of stamping have broadened considerably over the past few years..." (more)
Key Phrases: stamp positioning tool, separate wedge sponge, scrap paper patterns, Leathercraft Cement, Leather Sheen (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Beyond very solid groundwork on all kinds of stamping basics as well as more advanced techniques such as masking, embossing, creating depth and shadows, and producing dimensional effects, this wonderful book offers plenty of smart advice on making color choices, working with patterned repeats, stamping on a variety of different surfaces, combining stamping with other crafts, and assessing a room to overcome what may be the hardest part of all--figuring out where to begin. Walls, floors, furniture, linens, pillows, and accessories take on unique looks, more interesting than most wallpapers or purchased fabrics, and certainly much more exciting than solid-color surfaces. If you're new to stamping, start with something small like a mirror frame, mini-chest, place mat, or flowerpot. But even the more ambitious projects--tables, curtains, bureaus, embossed velvet, entire walls--are made approachable in this very appealing presentation. --Amy Handy

Product Description
Crafters of all levels find a wealth of fresh ideas for enhancing every room in the house with this book that combining stamping with other crafts such as stencilling, decoupage, decorative painting, sponging, and gold leafing for dramatic effects. 200 color illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082300791X
• ISBN-13: 978-0823007912
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,520,612 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't go wrong with Grace Taormina's books, August 4, 1998

By A Customer

This a book that puts you in control of the look you want with decorating projects. Whether you are working on placemats or living room walls, there are ideas for making your own stamps out of everything from polymer clay to foam to natural objects.

Looks range from cute country to modern and mica flecked. Photos are very clear and the processes in the projects are described in detail. A source directory is included.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome sophisticated looking projects,inspirational, June 12, 2001

By	Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This is a terrific book on using rubber stamp techniques to decorate your home. It shows how practical and creative stamping can be for things other than just making cards. The projects are artistic have a sophisticated look and for the most part they are not too cutesy. Though sophisticated looking, with a little time and patience all the projects are fairly easy to create.

The book starts out with stamping basics such as masking, embossing, purchasing supplies and even making your own simple stamps. Principles of color and design follow. Stamping on various surfaces such as paper, wood, fabric, pottery, glass, clay, metal and leather are next. Then it is all put together in decorating your rooms. There is great information on assessing your room, making samples and working with patterns as well as creating borders, wreaths, and painted floors.

Over 15 projects follow including chest of drawers with elegant swirls, butterfly embossed velvet throw, lemon wall vine, paper mache bowl with leaves, orchard mini-chest and leather portfolio. My favorite project was the gorgeous Africa theme mica collage table. There are excellent step-by-step instructions accompanied by clear demonstrating photos for all the projects. A large photo the finished pieces as well as a complete materials list is also included.

A few patterns and a resource directory are located in the back. This book is a great source of inspiration and ideas for decorating and makes the perfect house-warming gift for the stamper in your life.