Avoiding Coloring: Part Three
We’ve already talked about the use of stamp set “kinds” that will hasten your Clean and Simple card making, all in the effort to avoid coloring. We talked about DistINKtive Stamp Sets HERE, and Two-Step Stamp Sets HERE. This third kind of stamp set is called Etched.
Celebrate Sunflowers came out in the annual catalog in 2020. You may have missed it because the pandemic and lockdowns kept you from attending workshops and classes where your Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator was unable to introduce you to it. It is so nicely trimmed closely by the manufacturer that I don’t have to use masking to keep the leaves off the petals. THAT’s a big deal for me!
Technique used here is Clean and Simple, free-hand stamping (no stamp positioning tools). Free-hand stamping is even quicker than using a MISTI, so I decided to stamp up a dozen Tip Envelopes, too!
SUPPLIES USED:
- Stamps: Celebrate Sunflowers, Dandelion Wishes, French Foliage (wood mounted stamp set from the Vintage treasure chest)
- Ink: Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzaz, Sahara Sand, Pecan Pie
- Paper: Basic White Note Cards (item #159232), Basic White 3″ x 3″ envelopes (item #159233)
- Tools: Acrylic Blocks B, C, D, and E, and cleaning supplies: Stampin’ Scrub and Stampin’ Mist stamp cleaner <– this is a really big deal for me because these tools cannot be used on photopolymer stamps as they will stain terribly and obliterate seeing through the image! I use this cleaning method on all my red rubber stamps regardless of flat mount, cling, or wood block because os the conditioning properties. My rubber stamps will last forever with proper care.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- important process in my card making lesson: Leave your cards laying flat throughout the entire stamping and assembly! Don’t fold it until I tell you to at the end. All of your stamping will be free-hand, quick, and you don’t want to have to fight the card trying to open while stamping.
- You don’t have to do this, but I score my Note Cards along the existing score line at 3-1/2″. It makes the score line show up better for me, and it helped me to free-hand the stamping on all the cards to look pretty similar.
- Ink up the large sunflower image in Daffodil Delight and stamp as shown. I stamped a little onto the backside of the card again, and also off the top of the card to balance the image in that corner.
- Ink up your sentiment in Pecan Pie and stamp as shown. Now you have a good idea of how much room you have left for the leaves and splatters.
- Ink up the large leaf in Pear Pizzaz and stamp. Stamp again, fresh ink..
- Ink up the splatter image in Sahara Sand and stamp as shown. Stamp again, fresh ink.
- Ink up the small sunflower image in Daffodil Delight and stamp your mailing envelope in the lower left corner as show, leaving off the leaves. For balance and finish, I found it best to stamp off the bottom and left side of the envelope. This way it’s more balanced.
- If you have a special stamp for the backside of your cards, ink up in Pecan Pie and stamp that back panel. If you don’t have a special stamp yet, you can order one from Joscie.com like I have.
- I also have ordered a few sentiments from Joscie.com for the inside of my Card Ministry cards. My latest one is 3″ wide two lines, “I have prayed for you by name today.”
- NOW YOU CAN FOLD IT! Once the stamping on cards and envelopes is complete, close the card and burnish the fold with a Bone Folder.
I hope this post has sparked your imagination? All kinds of florals are out there with etched images, like the retired set called Healing Hugs. Even without etching, you can add your own lines to look like its been etched.
