Ever noticed how two step pumpkins can look completely different just by changing ink? It’s like magic…and perhaps a tiny bit of science.
Experimenting with your colour choices can give over-the-top results! But sometimes you just don’t have the time to do that, right? So here, I’ve done the work for you! It’s a win-win! You save time and get to avoid some of these ones that maybe aren’t my fave!
Ever Just Played With Your Ink Pads?
Truth. Your ink pad choices do all the heavy lifting here. You’ll use just one stamp set to create many, many pumpkins. The Beautiful Pumpkins bundle (166012) turns into a whole patch of personalities when you mix up your colours. Ready to play?
I lined up test pumpkins like cookies on a tray and stamped away. Some looked cozy farm stand. Others, bold and modern. A few were delightfully unexpected! That’s the joy of two step stamping. You don’t need to change the stamp. You change the ink.
Here’s just one example…base Pumpkin Pie. Detail Poppy Parade. Trust me. It works.
If you want the quick walkthrough, watch the full video here and see which ones I found work the best…and which ones were a surprise!
And if you’re brand new to layered stamping, you’ll love my simple primer with troubleshooting tips on how to two step stamp. It’ll set you up for success before you ink a single pumpkin!
Two Step Pumpkins Colour Tips
Colour Recipes for Two Step Pumpkins
I pulled out my favourite oranges, rusts and even a brown, plus one unexpected colour, to experiment.
Take a peek to see which were the most successful…and which were duds (IMO!)
Pro Tips that Change Everything
As you’re building your own cards using these colour combos, here are a couple other tricks to have up your sleeve for a fab design:
- Vary the strength. Stamp the base full strength or stamped off. Then stamp the detail full strength. You get instant dimension and a slightly different look.
- Rotate the detail stamp. A tiny turn creates natural-looking shading. And if you’re detail isn’t ‘spot on’, no worries, it adds to the charm.
- Ink edges with a dauber. Tap a smidge of a deeper shade onto just one side of the detail stamp for added dimension.
- Try neutral pumpkins. Pecan Pie over Basic Beige gives chic porch-decor vibes (see the video for the exact look).
- Don’t forget the inside! Stamp a small pumpkin in coordinating colour on the card interior and the envelope flap.
Want a speedy layout? Try this simple sketch and swap in pumpkins.
Here’s one of the cards I showed you in the video. Can you guess which two colours I used to create the pumpkin?
How to Make This Idea Your Own
Feeling inspired? Here’s how you can take this simple mixed media card and turn it into your next signature style.
- Swap greens. Old Olive or Mossy Meadow feels a bit more rustic. Garden Green feels fresh.
- Add texture. Dry emboss your label. Or flick tiny ink splatters with a water painter.
- Go mini. Stamp and die cut smaller pumpkins for tags and treat toppers.
- Make a set. Stamp six bases in different oranges. Add the same detail colour to unify the set.
- Try “opposites.” Pale base with dark detail. Then dark base with pale detail. Compare and see which one you like the best.
Keep Playing!
Crafters who love experimenting get the most beautiful surprises. But if you’re short on time, that’s where this video and tips come in!
Watch the video, pick two inks you would not normally pair together, and stamp a test pumpkin first. The choices are just about endless. Try a wild pair today and see how your two step pumpkins colour tips turn into instant fall magic.
