Two Easy Valentine's Crafts for Stamp Lovers

Stamps are wonderful to collect. They are colorful, they come in different shapes and sizes, and most of all, it is quite fun to realize that we are holding within our own collection stamps from different places all over the world. In fact, stamp collecting is one of the oldest hobbies enjoyed and shared by philatelists all over the world. However, in stamp collecting, it is inevitable that we come across old and ordinary stamps that are cheap, common, but are difficult to throw away anyway. These stamps are good materials that can be used in creating Valentine's Day craft for our friends, families and loved-ones who share the same passion for philately. Below are some ideas on what we can do with our common and ordinary stamps that with our good old-fashioned creativity.

1. Stamp Valentine's Cards - If you have a relatively large collection of stamps with a lot of common or ordinary stamps you want to get rid of, hold that thought, think twice about throwing it and think hard again. What you may consider as old, ordinary and unworthy stamps can be pasted together, be formed into a collage on a small cardboard, and be given as a card for a fellow stamp collector or philatelist.

Important things to consider though in making a stamp collage valentine's card is to keep the stamps pasted neatly onto the cardboard. It helps to position the stamps onto the cardboard first before pasting it on permanently. Also, it is advisable to leave a few inches on all sides of the cards so that, if you desire so, you can trim your stamp valentine's card on the sides according to the stamp's edges. Another thing would be to cut the entire collage into a big heart and to paste it on another red cardboard. Think about love.

To achieve texture on your card, try cutting out strips of cardboard that are smaller than the stamps. Fold these small and thin strips of cardboard and paste it under some stamps before attaching these onto the card. As a result, you are already creating a pop-up stamp valentine's card.

For an old, aged, antique look, you may dab a wet sponge on a tray of coffee granules dissolved into warm water and apply it on the surface of your card like a watercolor. The coffee and its granules will be useful to achieve the rustic, old-world look. Just make sure that the stamps are now securely pasted onto the cardboard and the glue should already be dry. Other colors can also be used. For a female stamp collector whom you are giving the card to, you may use feminine colors such as pink, red, and pastel colors. For male stamp collectors such as a husband, fiancé, father, uncle or brother, male teacher to whom you will be giving the valentine's card to, use more masculine and dark colors such as dark blue, dark green, oak colors, and such.

2. Stamp Pen-Holder - To be able to create your own stamp-covered pen holder, you will still need old, common stamps that you are willing to give away as a valentine's craft token for a loved-one. You will also need an ordinary tin can that is big or small enough to hold pens. The size will, of course, be according to how big or small you want your pen holder to be. A glue gun, sponge, watercolor or coffee granules, a small basin, sponge, paintbrush and a glaze will also be needed. First, glue the stamps by level. Start from the bottom going up to the can's top so that even if you will have an extra stamp on top, you may still fold it over inside and over the can's brim. For texture and a corrugated effect, apply more glue gun to some stamps and less on the others. Let the stamps dry before dabbing on the color that you want using the watercolors or the coffee granules dissolved in water for the old-world, antique look. As soon as it dries, apply two coatings of glaze using a paintbrush to seal in the stamps, the texture and the color and to achieve a more finished look on your stamp collage pen holder valentine's craft!

These are only just two of the many easy Valentine's craft you can make as a stamp lover or as a gift to one. Not only are these valentine's craft easy to make, but more importantly, it allows you to put you or your loved-one's personality into the craft. The possibilities for creativity and personalization of your valentine's card for stamp collectors is simply endless, entertaining and challenging, making your gift - and your Valentine's Day - unique and special.