NEW Wildflower Trellis Stamp Set

A change of color is as good as a vacation. Wait a minute! Is that how that goes? Anyway, it's been a while since we've had a pink project-- so here it is. The new Wildflower Trellis stamp set has only three stamps in it but packs a big punch. And the sweet flowers in the set work great for a baby card!

Stamps
Wildflower Trellis stamp set
“A Baby is Love” sentiment block stamp
Baby Booties block stamp

Papers
Pink card stock half-sheet, folded (card-base)
White card stock quarter-sheet (5.5 x 4.25 inches)
White card stock scraps

Inks -
Versacolor Boysenberry, Orchid, Hyacinth, Green Tea, and Bamboo; Archival Black ink

Tools and Embellishments
Cuttle bug embossing folder – “Textile Texture”
Gold Paint Pen – Fine Point
Ribbon

Instructions
Take the White quarter-sheet and, about one-half-inch from the bottom border, stamp the following:

Stamp the Mini Flower in Boysenberry ink.

Stamp the Tiny Flower in Orchid ink.

Stamp the Tiny Flower a third time in Hyacinth ink.

Stamp the Tiny Flower a fourth time in Green Tea ink.

Stamp the Branch, first in Bamboo...

...and then again in Green Tea ink.

Now I see that the border needs the pop of a dark color so let's stamp the Tiny Flower in Boysenberry ink.

Trim around the stamped images at the bottom of the panel to make a delicately wavy border.

Once the ink is dry, place the panel into the embossing folder and emboss the unstamped areas.
Edge all outer borders except the trimmed border with Bamboo ink.
Then use the Gold Paint Pen to make a squiggly border on top of the Bamboo ink.

Take the Pink half-sheet and run it through the embossing folder you used earlier.
Use the Gold Paint Pen to make squiggly lines around the bottom border and about 1.5 inches up the sides.
Then glue the White stamped panel to the card-base.

Make the Medallion

Take the sentiment stamp and stamp it in Black ink.
Then stamp the Baby Booties in Hyacinth ink under the sentiment.
Then stamp the Tiny Flower in Boysenberry and Orchid inks.
Stamp the Branch in Green Tea ink.
Cut out the sentiment and stamped areas.
Then use the Gold Paint Pen to trace around the edges and other portions of the cut-out.
Use PopIt! Shapes foam tape to mount the medallion.
Garnish with a lovely lavender ribbon and you're done! 

The old cliche, "When life gives you get lemons, make lemonade," sounds sort of trite but it has its truth. The economic downturn we're experiencing in this country can actually help us refocus if we let it. These tough times are inviting us to go back to the basics. Instead of expensive vacations, gathering around the kitchen table for meals or games is a "new" way to have fun... and giving small gifts of food is a special way to show you care... 

My favorite mustard is a stone ground organic yellow mustard made with yummy apple cider vinegar. When I want to go on "vacation," I get myself a little jar of my mustard. And what a perfect gift idea! When you're at the market or the natural foods store, pick up a little jar of something special for that person you want to treat.

Then tie a simple ribbon and add a special touch by making a stamped medallion for the lid and you've got a meaningful present to give someone!

Oh! Don't forget a gift tag!
These are made with the new Sunny Daisies and Morning Lilies sets.

 

Debra C. and Catharine both asked how we mix colors on a stamp without mixing colors on the ink pads. There's always the probability of muddying the ink pads but I love the look of the multi-colored images so much that it's worth it. The key is to use a touch of prevention and to clean up well!

Prevention
I have found that it is best if you can ink a portion of the image with one ink pad and the rest of the image with the second color. This is not always easy to do and sometimes it's impossible. Another trick is to ink up the entire stamp with the lighter ink, say Split Pea, and then dab the image with the second, darker ink. It's always easier to clean up lighter ink from a darker ink pad.

Cleanup
When an ink pad is muddy, I just clean the pads immediately by dabbing a clean, dry cloth over the muddy parts. Try to avoid excessive rubbing, which will destroy the ink pad. Then I re-ink when necessary.

Rebecca Miller asked, "When I paint plates with acrylics, I have to set them in the oven. Won't the lovely poinsettia design disappear if the inks are thinned with water?" Rebecca, in most cases, the inks come ready to use, right from the bottle, in the correct consistency for stamping. Having to thin is usually unnecessary. In rare cases, thinning is necessary and it has worked fine for us when we've stamped on fabric. We have not yet tested for dishwasher fastness or how stamping on glass holds up over time. So stay tuned as we investigate and report in future blog posts!

So what do you think? Just enter your comment in the comment section below for a chance to win the Wildflower Trellis stamp set. Today's winner is Toria, who will be receiving the Poinsettia Flourish stamp set from last week's blog. Congratulations, Toria!

Until next week, Happy Stamping from Susan and rest of the gang at Rubber Stamp Tapestry!