Hi, There, Stampers!
I’m back with yet another card that I’ve made with the Amazing Year Stamp Set. Remember that my first impression was that this was a stamp set that was pretty much just for making birthday cards. But here’s another card that isn’t necessarily a birthday card, though it certainly could be one. And besides focusing on the way I used the stamp set, I’d like to show you how I created this “slimline” scalloped border around the stamped area.
The Stamparatus Helps Again
Starting with the stamping, the absolute best way to get several images (1) lined up and (2) spaced evenly is to use Stampin’ Up!’s Stamparatus. With this particular stamp, you can use the “hinge-step” stamping technique. I’m planning to make a video showing different ways to use this technique. But basically you place whatever paper you’re stamping on in the Stamparatus and set the stamp you’re using where you want the first stamping to be. You then pick up the stamp with the stamping plate, ink it and stamp the first time. Then, leaving the paper in place and the stamp where it is on the plate, remove the plate from the hinged side of the Stamparatus and move it down however many hinges you need to. Stamp again, and the image will be lined up vertically perfectly.
For the gift stamp in the Amazing Year Stamp Set, I needed to move down two hinges. After stamping the second time, I moved the plate with the stamp down two hinges again. So now the stamps are the same distance from each other.
Making It Colorful
While I could have stamped all the images in the same color, I really wanted some variety for this card. I picked red, blue and green and stamped the top images using Sweet Sorbet Ink, the middle using Orchid Oasis Ink, and the bottom using Garden Green Ink.
I didn’t care for the way the project looked when I used the same colors to fill in the ribbon. Going with lighter colors and using Stampin’ Blends, in order they’re filled in with Flirty Flamingo, Balmy Blue and Soft Sea Foam. I’m sure you can image that I couldn’t find all of the darker colors in any embellishments collection in any Stampin’ Up! catalog. What I did use were some white dots from the Classic Matte Dots embellishments and colored them with Stampin’ Blends. Those alcohol markers color Stampin’ Up!’s embellishments beautifully.
That Scalloped Edge Slimline Layer
After stamping the sentiment, using Sweet Sorbet Ink, I then had to decide how I was going to trim this layer for a slimline card. I really wanted a decorative edge and Stampin’ Up! does not have such a die in its collection. This is where a bit of creativity comes in. It turned out that the second largest rectangle in the Scalloped Contour Die Set was the perfect width for this design. Of course it’s not the perfect length. But, if I could manage to run the cardstock through my Mini Stampin’ Cut and Emboss Machine and stop just before it starts cutting the bottom. Then I could run it through the cutting machine from the opposite direction.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
I was smarter than I usually am when experimenting with something like this and tried it out on a plain, unstamped piece of cardstock. It didn’t quite work the first couple of times. But I finally was confident enough to try it on my actual project. I think I’ll get better at it the more I practice (hmmm – where have I heard that practice makes perfect?). As you can see from the picture at the right, the “stitched” holes where the two die-cutting operations overlapped are a bit lighter than the rest of the stitched area.
My Take Your Pick came to the rescue. I just poked it into the light stitched area and I almost can’t see the overlap. Again, I’ll have to practice some more to get it perfect.
Finishing the Card
Once I had the border cut, I layered it onto some Sweet Sorbet Cardstock, then onto a card made of Basic White Thick Cardstock and I was done! I’ll be using one of the Stampin’ Up! Slimline Envelopes to mail this card. I may even send it to someone who’s having a birthday!
Don’t forget that you can click on any of the icons in the slide show below to go to my Stampin’ Up! store. There you’ll find out more about any of the products and even be able to order it right there – 24/7/365!
Happy Stamping!
