Stamp a Christmas journal with Pink Ink's Sock Paper Scissors

Create a colourful Christmas journal page with Cathie from Pink Ink Designs using the Sock Paper Scissors DL Stamp Set. Featuring an adorable mouse busy with his festive crafting, plus a collection of scissors, socks, pegs, paint splats and other creative accessories, this stamp set is perfect for building a fun Christmas scene.

In this project, Cathie combines stamping with Cosmic Shimmer Water-Based Inks, loose washes, pencil shading and fine liner pen work to create a vibrant mixed media journal scene.

Step 1 – Stamp the main image
Open your A5 journal to a fresh page – Cathie leaves the first page blank so it can be used for a title later. Position the main character from the Pink Ink Designs Sock Paper Scissor Stamp Set towards one side of the page and stamp in black pigment ink. A stamping platform makes it easier to position the large stamp and apply a little extra pressure to the centre for a clear impression.

Step 2 – Build the Stamped Scene
Arrange the smaller accessory stamps around the main character to build your Christmas crafting scene.

Add the tape dispenser and scissors, then repeat the little clothesline across the page. Stamp individual socks along the line, leaving occasional gaps for extra details.

Use the silhouette scissors to create a decorative border down the side of the page, stamping these in red. Add the little ink splats in red too, using a second-generation impression – stamp onto scrap paper first, then onto the journal – for a softer effect.

Finish the scene by adding the Christmas Chaos sentiment from the Stamp Set.

Step 3 – Prepare for the Inks
Make sure your stamping is completely dry before adding water. You can speed this up with a hairdryer or craft heat tool if needed.

Lightly spritz the entire journal page with water. Wetting the whole surface helps the paper react evenly to the moisture and reduces uneven buckling.

Step 4 – Add Firecracker Red and Marigold
Begin the background with Cosmic Shimmer Firecracker Red Water-Based Ink. Add a small amount directly from the pipette along one side of the wet page and allow the colour to move through the paper.

Tilt the journal or gently guide the ink to control where it travels. If the colour becomes too strong around your main character, add a little more water and lift some of the pigment away with kitchen towel.

Introduce Cosmic Shimmer Marigold Water-Based Ink to the other side, with a smaller amount of Firecracker Red to connect the colours across the design. Allow the inks to move and blend naturally on the wet surface.

Step 5 – Add cool toned shadows
For contrast, add Cosmic Shimmer Charcoal Black Water-Based Ink and Cosmic Shimmer Mediterranean Blue Water-Based Ink to your palette. Dilute the Mediterranean Blue with water and add just a tiny amount of Charcoal Black to tone it down. Paint the mixture around selected areas of the stamped design to create cooler shadows.

Use clean water to draw the colour out and soften any hard edges. As the paper is still damp, some of the colour will naturally spread beneath and around the stamped details.

Step 6 – Once Dry, Add Shading
Allow the page to dry completely before adding further detail.

Use a graphite pencil to create additional shading and depth. Work with the side of the pencil for softer areas, pressing more firmly where you want deeper shadows. Gently blend the edges with your finger for a softer finish.

Step 7 – Finish with Pen Work
Use a fine black pen to add extra contrast and definition. Build up broken lines and small marks around selected areas, concentrating darker pen work where you want greater depth and gradually reducing it towards the lighter areas.

Your Sock Paper Scissors Christmas journal page is complete, combining detailed stamping with vibrant washes, loose mixed media colour and hand-drawn finishing touches.