STRETCH Your Stamps with Just 1 SET and Make 4 Cards!

Hello crafty friends! Today, I’m so excited to share a fun and creative way to stretch your supplies and get the most out of just one stamp set. We all love a good crafty investment, and let’s be honest—finding multiple ways to use one set makes me feel like a card-making wizard!

For today's inspiration, I’m featuring the We're Not Alone Stamp Set, the We're Not Alone Outline Dies, the We're Not Alone 6x6 Pattern Paper Pack, the Treasure Maps Nested Dies, and the Crafty Phrases Word Dies—all from Scrappy Boy Stamps.

If you've ever looked at a stamp set and thought, “Is it worth it for just a couple of cards?”—this post is for you. I’m showing you how I made four completely different cards using these products. Whether your style is clean and simple, interactive, mixed media, or full scene building, these stamps have you covered. Let's jump in!

STRETCH Your Stamps with Just 1 SET and Make 4 Cards!:

A Clean and Simple Approach with a Twist

Sometimes, less really is more. For my first card, I decided to keep things clean and simple. I stamped the Cigarette Smoking Man in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored him with Copic Markers, cutting him out with the matching outline die.

To keep the design simple but eye-catching, I lightly blended Twisted Citron Distress Ink onto a piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80 lb Cardstock. Here's a little trick: after ink blending, I repeatedly stamped one of the sentiments over the blended area, but I didn’t fully ink the stamp each time. This gives a worn, mysterious vibe that's perfect for this theme without being overwhelming.

Then, I picked two sentiments—"The Truth About Your Age Is Out There" and "I Willingly Participated in a Campaign of Misinformation"—and stamped them at the top and bottom of the ink-blended area using Versafine Onyx Black Ink for that crisp, bold finish.

Pro Tip: When you're doing repeated stamping backgrounds like this, it’s okay if it's imperfect. In fact, that little bit of grunge adds tons of character and keeps it from looking stiff.

I popped up the character image with foam adhesive, mounted the panel onto a top-folding A2 card base cut from Fog Cardstock, and called it a day. Clean, simple, but still so much personality.

Shaker Card Magic: Adding Dimension and Sparkle

Who doesn't love a good shaker card? For my second design, I went full sparkle!I stamped and colored Skinner from the same stamp set, again using my trusty Copic markers and the coordinating dies.

I used the Treasure Maps Nested Dies to create a fun frame out of patterned paper and adhered a clear window sheet behind it. I also cut a matching background from the We're Not Alone Pattern Paper Pack—and layered a little strip of contrasting paper across the card base to give it some extra oomph.

After building the shaker element with foam tape, I filled it with glitter and sequins before sealing it up with my window frame.

The Crafty Phrases Word Dies came in handy here—choosing "I Sweat Glitter" was just too perfect for a shaker card! I heat embossed the sub-sentiment "But Glitter is a Conspiracy" onto black cardstock and tucked it right under the die-cut word.

Pro Tip: When making shaker cards, always double up your foam tape and dust the edges of your adhesive with an anti-static powder tool to keep your shaker bits from sticking.

I love how this card feels playful and a little mischievous—perfect for the humor tucked into this stamp set.

Going Full Mixed Media: Adding Texture and Layers

If you know me, you know that every now and then I just need to get messy. For card three, I really leaned into a full mixed media look!

I stamped and colored the three Lone Gunmen characters, cut them out, and set them aside while I created a rich, grungy background. I blended Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Villainous Potion, and Black Soot Distress Inks on Mixed Media Cardstock.

I added background stamping using the little alien head and "X" images from the set, giving the background a little extra storytelling.Then, I distressed a piece of notebook paper by crumpling it up, brushing it with Vintage Photo and Gathered Twigs Distress Inks, and layering it into the design.

One of my favorite touches? Adding a "file tab" made with a punch from my stash—it looked just like a real classified file! I love how these little details pull the whole theme together.

Pro Tip: If you want an authentic "old document" look, after distressing your paper, lightly mist it with water and re-ink the edges. It deepens the folds and adds even more realism.

This card tells a whole story in itself—and it was so satisfying to build all the textures and layers.

Center Pop-Up Scene: Creating Interactive Magic

For my last card, I wanted to make something that felt like a real little scene—so I made a center pop-up panel card featuring Mulder, Scully, and one sneaky alien!

The construction sounds complicated, but it's really not. I scored a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of cardstock at 1/2", 1", and 1 1/2" on both sides and folded them in a mountain-valley formation to create the pop-up side panels.

I created a night sky by ink blending a background and sketching in some sketchy trees and grass with my Copics—nothing too perfect, because it’s meant to look shadowy and moody. Then I placed Mulder, Scully, and the alien head, popping them up for dimension.

Layering in the We're Not Alone Pattern Paper Pack gave the whole design a polished look without overwhelming the scene.

Pro Tip: When building pop-up cards, keep your images and embellishments close to the center fold line. This makes your card fold flatter and stay sturdy for mailing.

This card was SO much fun to make—and it really shows how one stamp set can stretch into a fully dimensional project.

Final Thoughts: Why Stretching Your Stamps Matters

Getting creative with one stamp set isn’t just good for your wallet—it pushes your creativity and helps you see your supplies in new ways.

Whether you’re a clean and simple cardmaker, a mixed media lover, or someone who lives for shaker cards, the We're Not Alone Collection from Scrappy Boy Stamps has endless potential.

I hope today’s post gives you some ideas for how you can dive deeper into your own stash and get even more out of every stamp you buy. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective and a little bit of playtime to create something you truly love.

Thanks so much for spending some time with me today.

Until next time—happy crafting, and don’t be afraid to stretch those stamps!

STRETCH Your Stamps with Just 1 SET and Make 4 Cards! Video Tutorial:

If you have problems watching the video here on my blog you can always watch it on my YouTube Channel by Clicking here!

(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins

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