Create stamped wrapping paper
Use potatoes or rubber stamps to print a simple design
How to make with rubber stamps
There’s a huge range of rubber stamps and coloured ink pads available from art and craft shops, and online. Buy plain paper on a roll to get pieces large enough to wrap presents. Cut paper to desired size and lay out on a flat surface. Press stamp on to the ink pad then press firmly on to the paper. Either print designs at random or, for a regular pattern, lay a long ruler across the paper to help you work in a straight line. Don’t worry if the print is not perfect – slight irregularities are a feature of hand-printed paper. When you have finished, leave the paper to dry, and wash ink off the stamp.
Rubber stamps, from The English Stamp Company (www.englishstamp.com). Ink pads, paper and ribbon, from Hobbycraft (www.hobbycraft.co.uk)
How to make a potato-print stamp
Cut a large potato in half.
Use a small cookie cutter to cut out a simple shape, such as a heart or a star, on the flat raw edge. Cut away around the outside of the potato up to the cutter. Use a paper towel to dry it off.
Mix up paint on an old plate, dip in the potato and use to print paper. Try stamping bright colours on newspaper.
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