Good day to you, friends!
Do you have a large background stamp you use in the same solid colour time after time? Why not try making it the star of your project rather than let it blend into the backdrop?
I bought the Medallion stamp (£16.95, 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue, p.78) because I knew I would need something to add dimension to my cards in the future, and I really liked the design. Usually when my new "toys" arrive, after spending a few days being so excited to get them and start crafing, I suddenly draw a blank and don't even know where to begin using them! I've learned to sketch out my ideas when they pop in my head now, or else they will completely disappear once the supplies are in front of me, which is what happened with this stamp. No matter, I put it on my shelf and went with what was fresh in my head at the time. But when I was experimenting with my brayer one day, an idea just struck me.
Now I'm not claiming to be original or to have invented this technique, more experienced brayers have probably already thought of this and it's old news to them. But on this occasion, the idea popped into my head on its own, no prior inspiration. And I felt like a genius. I love that!
I got out five of my ink pads, in colours that looked to me like they would mimic a rainbow. I chose: Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango, Delightful Daffodil, and Tempting Turquoise from the Brights collection (IBC p.91) and Perfect Plum from the Subtles Collection (IBC p.92). I picked up some colour from each ink pad, one at a time, onto my brayer.
I didn't want to cover the whole brayer with ink, as each time I put some ink onto the stamp I was only covering a small portion. No need to waste more ink than necessary. As I said before, I only applied one colour at a time, and thoroughly cleaned the brayer in between inkings.
Once I had my whole stamp inked, I breathed on it to moisten the ink which may have dried out by this time, and carefully placed my paper over the top and rubbed my fingers all over the back of it to make sure every part of the stamp had transferred.
When I peeled off the paper (I used Glossy White card this time, IBC p.95), I had a STUNNING rainbow Medallion!
Try it out! And let me know how you get on!
You can see the full tutorial on this card here*: https://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.336371716424174.78716.335582926503053&type=3
*Make sure to click on the first photo of the album and view it by scrolling through each photo, as that is the only way to read the instructions.
Thank you for reading, and Happy Crafting!
Hello friend, and welcome to my blog! My name is Kirsten Marie and I am an independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I demonstrate Stampin' Up! supplies at parties where people can get together and craft with friends, I provide crafty entertainment for birthday parties, I host classes, I create custom cards, and I craft A LOT. One of the things I love to do is share what I've made, or discovered, or invented! That's why I've started this blog, so I can continue to share.
At all times, I use Stampin' Up! supplies, because I believe in their quality and love how the products are designed to coordinate with one another. Stampin' Up! has developed a reputation for high quality stamping, card-making, and scrapbooking products with exclusive designs that are not available in shops. I don't drive, so I see no point in trying to get to various craft stores to gather supplies, especially when it would end up being a bit of a chore to find things that fit together. Stampin' Up! makes it easy for me to make things that "work" together, so I've made the decision to just stick with their supplies and not go looking elsewhere. I believe it is more advantageous that way, expecially for anyone who would like their own supplies like the ones they see me use, because they can place an order directly through me and I can ship it right to them! Easy as pie!
One of the reasons I became a demonstrator is because of the fabulous savings you get on all the supplies when you purchase the starter kit. You don't have to purchase a starter kit in order to purchase supplies, you can place an order of any size at any time. However, purchasing a demonstrator kit has many benefits. First, there is the savings on the cost of the items in the kit, it's up to £175 worth of product for only £99! And it is top-notch stuff! Secondly, you get 30% off your first order over £150 if it's within the first 45 days, and a 20% discount on every order for as long as you remain an active demonstrator. You also get an extra 15% off any item during your birthday month, loads of freebies and incentive deals during different times of the year, and an AMAZING network of new friends and like-minded crafters with whom you can meet up and craft, just chat, swap ideas, the list is endless!
I grew up sewing with my mom in the USA and since moving thousands of miles away from home to good ol' Oxfordshire, I needed to get back to a happy place, which to me is crafting in some way. But there was a problem; I had to leave nearly EVERYTHING behind when I moved to the UK. I didn't even have a crochet hook, or needle and thread, or anything! When I attended a Stampin' Up! party for the first time, I saw the Idea Book & Catalogue and got that warm fuzzy feeling like when you eat your favourite comfort food... what's it called... oh yeah! LOVE! I fell in love with it! But I didn't even know where to begin, because that IB&C is BIG. I knew I wanted to start a business so I could work but still raise my kids, but I didn't necessarily want to be demonstrating at parties and selling stamps and other tools. I wanted to make cards and sell them, which I heard I could do with the Stampin' Up! supplies, if I followed the copyright rules. So when the demonstrator at the party mentioned to me that I could get everything I needed to get started in the starter kit, bells went off in my head saying, "Yes! This is what you have been looking for!"
Some people purchase starter kits just for the fantastic savings which we call "hobby demos," some people do it to start their own businesses. Some people start out thinking they are going to be a hobby demo, start sharing their tools and toys at parties and decide, "Might as well!" Whatever the reason, by purchasing the starter kit you are welcomed into the team just the same and have instant access to new friends if you want them. I had no idea when I bought my kit that I would gain so many new friends, but I have! This has been invaluable to me, especially being in a foreign country with no foundation of acquaintances, and I am 100% pleased with everything my starter kit has brought into my life. I started out thinking I would just be a quiet little stay-at-home crafter mum and maybe sell a few cards if I was lucky, but these days I am doing all kinds of things with my business and am really flourishing!
The point I am trying to make is, I am sharing my blog with you because I am doing what I love and I want to share with you. Whether that means you are just going to read it and say "That's nice..." or learn something from me, or purchase one of my creations, or place an order, or purchase a starter kit, or whatever, my main goal is to put a little sunshine into your day. It's like the Stampin' Up! Statement of the Heart says: To love what we do and share what we love, as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments . . . in this we make a difference.
You can see more about Stampin' Up! at: www2.stampinup.com
To view more of my creations, promotions and more, visit: www.facebook.com/thescrapdragon
