Creating Holiday Cards with Potato Stamps

It's holiday time again! Christmas is right around the corner and Hanukkah is in session.

Sending cards to loved ones and friends is always a nice thing to do, but does it seem a little repetitive sometimes? Maybe a little frustrating picking the right ones?  I know when you have children, they become the spotlight of the pick, so that may make it tougher to decide on a design.

Well, no worries because this year its DIY to the rescue! Why not get real creative this season and maybe even get the kids involved. My potato stamp project is super easy and takes little time to do. It's fun, affordable and everyone will love them.

Materials: potato (any size), paint, a marker, a small knife or x-acto knife and paper.

First you take the potato and cut it in half. Pat the flat side dry and draw your design. You can use any size potato. Just think of how big you want your card to be first. Also, think of holiday objects like Christmas trees, wreaths, holly, mistletoe and angels.

(If you don't have any potatoes in the kitchen, you can pick some up at  on Hempstead Ave.)

Now that you have your design drawn out, take a small kitchen knife or x-acto knife and cut around the outline about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in. Then, continue to cut out the potato around the drawing. You want your object to stick out like a stamp.

(You can probably find x-acto knives at e on Lakeview Avenue or on Sunrise Highway.)

Now you need to decide on a color and roll — wipe or dip the potato stamp in it.  Make sure it's a thin layer so you don't have gobs of paint on the paper. Next, just place the stamp on the front of the card and you're done!

(You can use any paint you want for this project. Acrylic would work best though.  You might find some at Monroe Hardware and Rite Aid, as well. If not, try a local art and crafts store in the area.)

Now, you want to use paper that is thick enough to hold up to the paint so computer or notebook paper is out. Stick with card stock, watercolor paper or a nice linen. Construction paper will work fine for the kids.

(See what you can find at on Merrick Road.)

I hope you all enjoy this project. You can create a lot of cute things with potato stamps, so don't stop at cards. They are great for tags, signs, art projects for kids, t-shirts — the possibilities are endless. Get creative with DIY projects that show just how unique you really are. Doing it yourself is more rewarding in the end.