Sharing the next Bullet Journal Dumpster Fire installment: 3 Ways to Use Alphabet Stamps in your Bullet Journal. If you follow me on social media, you know that alphabet stamp sets are my favourite! I use them all the time. So when I pulled alphabet stamps out of my mini dumpster fire, I was a little disappointed. I didn’t feel that same challenge that I normally do. So I decided to come up with different ways that you can use them. You can check out my video here if you prefer to watch, but below I share 3 ways to use alphabet stamps.
Quick note, if you are new here and wondering what I mean by Dumpster Fire Bullet Journal. In a nutshell, I draw random art and craft supplies out of a blue acrylic dumpster and use it in my Archer and Olive Kraft notebook. I use this experiment as a chance for you to see how you can use different mediums and supplies in a bullet journal. Basically trying to use what you have to be creative in your notebook.
So, speaking of supplies, here’s what I used today.
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Supplies
- Archer and Olive A5 Kraft Notebook (NML10 for 10% off)
- Versafine Pigment Ink for Fine Details in Onyx Black
- Hero Hues Pigment Ink in Unicorn
- Studio L2E Basic Alphabet Stamp Set
- Studio Calico Basic Alphabet Stamp Set (Discontinued)
- Amy Tangerine Alphabet Stamp Set (discontinued)
- Studio Calico 6×8 Tucker Alpha Stamp Set
- Tombow Mono Drawing Pen in 05
- Tombow Dual Brush Pen in Black
3 Ways to Use Alphabet Stamps
Alphabet stamp sets are my favourite stamp sets to use. I find them to be the most versatile and I definitely get the most use out of them. They can be more expensive than the more decorative stamp images, but I consider them to be worth the price.
So if you are considering investing in them, here are 3 different ways that you can use these alphabet stamp sets.
Borders
This is probably the most challenging way to use these stamp sets. For one, you need a stamp set that is pretty basic in it’s design (like the Studio Calico Tucker Alpha that I used in the picture). The second most challenging thing is having a steady enough hand to stamp with consistency (which comes with practice). There are tools that you can use to accomplish this, but they don’t really work well in a bullet journal so I didn’t use it.
For the above image, I stamped the letter H overlapping each other and then added white dots with a white Acrylograph paint pen. Doing so makes it look like a film reel.
Pattern and Background Building
Using alphabet stamps to create backgrounds is so great when you want to add an additional element without adding bulk to your journal. Instead of gluing in a thicker cardstock scrapbook sheet, you can stamp the pattern using sticky notes to mask the area that you want to keep blank. Super easy technique to create a fun, eye catching background.
In the image below, I used the letters S, I and V to create various shapes and patterns. Now granted, these can be used as borders too, but you can see how you can build up a background pattern as well.
Headings and Phrases
And now for the no-brainer way to use alphabet stamp sets in a bullet journal: for stamping words and phrases. This is obviously the most common way to use alphabet stamps and I use them A LOT for various setups. I have used them to set up my Health and Wellness Journals, my New Bullet Journal Setups, my Bullet Journal Migration Setups, to name a few. I find that I will use the same stamp sets over and over again because they tend to fit my overall aesthetic.
The Downside of Alphabet Stamp Sets
As much as I love alphabet stamp sets, they definitely have their faults. As mentioned above, they can be expensive. So you really have to be sure that you will use them. That is why I tend to gravitate toward the more basic alphabet stamps, knowing I’ll get more use out of them (than say, more decorative fonts).
My next pet peeve with alphabet stamp sets has to be that they tend to be discontinued frequently. Once a shop sells out of it, that tends to be it. So you don’t always have time to think about your purchase and make sure it’s what you want. It can be super frustrating but I understand as well.
The third downside to alphabet stamp sets has got to be the practicing. It takes a little bit of practice to gauge space between letters and keeping them straight. I have let go of my perfectionism when it comes to stamping, especially if it’s just in my notebook. Otherwise it could be really frustrating and not worth the effort to have to correct and redo stamps. So you definitely need to practice self-grace as well as the actual stamping, if this is something you want to try.
I hope you found this blog post helpful and feel inspired to start using alphabet stamp sets. The positives definitely outweigh the negatives for me. I like that my journals don’t get too bulky from stickers, and that I save some time on lettering myself. I know many people don’t like their own handwriting, so this is definitely a great work around for that.
If you have any questions or comments, as always, let me know in the comments down below, reach out on social media, or whatever you are comfortable with. Thank you so much for your time today! I always appreciate it so much!
Talk soon!
P.S. My Word Search has a theme. If you would like to have a go at guessing that theme, comment below or head over to Instagram or YouTube and let me know there.
