Sometimes we get “stuck” with creating the same designs over and over -this is a quick hack to try the next time you sit down to stamp…and automatically create a “story” without having to make a scene!

Supplies for this project are linked at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
Video
Stamping off-center is a way to add a little imagination into the viewer’s mind – let them wonder where the characters walked in from, or where they’re going. Let their imagination make up what they can’t see! No matter what medium you color with, it really helps for the focal point to stay outside the “center” of a design.
Imagine the paper in front of you being broken into 9 blocks; keep the focus in anything but the center one!
The bunnies from Happy Day are colored with Tombow markers – my little set at Ellen Hutson’s. The rabbits are off to the right – with the focus on just the one big bunny and one little – making the sentiment even more intimate.

The Copic card has the bear from Happy Day and I combined it with the kitty (stamped twice) from Pond Pampering – a nice little combo. Stamping off the bottom meant the kitty’s ground from the stamp set didn’t have to be dealt with – just a little post it on the left and right to help just stamp the kitten.

Last but not least – Pond Pampering also has a cute little napping duck (Can that be ME right now please??) soaking up the sun. Attaching the stamp to the left side of the card also creates that little story – where is this? Is this duck floating at the edge of the reeds or in a field? The viewer can figure it out on their own, engaging them, knowing or not, in the art.

Supplies
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- Colorado Craft Company stamps:
- Water based Marker card:
- Copic card:
- Neenah Cardstock, Solar White, Classic Crest: 25pk – 250pk
- Jet Black Lawn Fawn Ink Pad
- Watercolor duck card:
Great tip!!! TY <3 !
Gorgeous cards Sandy. Great tutorial, most of the time I put my focal point off centre and never thought about it, just don’t like it most of the time in the middle.
I love to see you paint like this, so releaxing and talking how it works or not etc. wonderful!
Thank you so much for sharing, stay safe and have a awesome day.
Great tip. It’s similar to the thirds trick in photography. I think we all should be a little ‘off center’ in our lives!
Absolutely love Pond Pampering! The off center trick is great! Thank you!
Fantastic hacks and so much awesomeness in your cards! Love them!
Hi, Sandy – The hack is a good one. I’ll use it and thanks for the reminder.
Your work is just fabulous… amazing. I love to look at it and every time I come back to certain pages, I am struck by some new element or another aspect that I had not picked up on before.
Thanks for using your superpowers for good!
Lori S in PA
These are just magical!
These cards are so adorable. I love the “hack”.