Fake Postage Stamps

What is that noise? It sounds like someone has pulled into the driveway of the cottage. Who is it?

Why it is Postman Pete delivering the mail! Thank you. Let's see... bail bondsman advertisement, Jo Ann's flier, bill for Belinda, Victoria's Secret catalog for Etha, another bill, pink envelope addressed to occupant and a really big package addressed to me! But what is that note on the package- "Postage Due- $17.32". Hey- someone used fake postage stamps to mail my package!

I have enjoyed creating faux postage (aka postoids) for many years. When I started creating postoids in the 1990's, I used special postage paper that looked like a blank sheet of stamps. I masked to protect the edges while I sponged, stippled and stamped backgrounds and images. Then I discovered that you could create postoids electronically. But it just wasn't the same as stamping them.
Is there a quicker way to make postoids? Yes.
Supply List:

- scraps of patterned paper (this is the time to use all those tiny pieces)

- white matte cardstock (or some shimmer or linen paper)

- Fiskars Stamp Paper Edgers

- Clear Artistic Stamps

- Ink

-(optional) date stamper, gel pens, markers, Stickles

1) Trim patterned paper to desired size. Try triangles or other exotic shapes.

2) Cut cardstock (I used white to closer mimic the border on US postage stamps) slightly larger than the patterned paper piece. I made mine about 1/2" larger so I would have room to trim with the stamp edge scissors. Set this border aside.

3) Have fun and stamp your patterned paper! Some ideas:

• For the green postage I stamped images from Shadows of Memories and then higlighted the images with a white gel pen and a black fine-tip marker.
• For the butterfly poste I stamped images from Intrigue in permanent ink and colored them with markers, repeating the subtle colors from the paper.
• Stuck for a greeting? Print a computer generated sentiment.
• For the musical postage, I stamped images from A Little Note in permanent ink. I used a pale gray marker to draw some shadows around the notes and some Stickles glitter glue to highlight some of the larger notes.
• Use a date stamper so stamp a date, year or postage value. Try creating 16 cent stamps for your niece's sweet 16 or adding the wedding date for a scrapbook page.

4) After the ink has dried, adhere the stamp to the cardstock border and add to your project.

Have fun! ENJOY your stamps! You'll have to excuse me, I need to drive to the post office to settle my debt and to buy some real postage stamps for the cottage!