I got quite the chuckle when I saw Debbie's post - her creation is OVER THE TOP beautiful. So why chuckle you ask - well I chuckle because she used the Bride and Groom. Over the weekend I had started the creating of the card for this post - guess which images I used? Yep, you've got it - the Bride and Groom - LOL! And yes, I was begging Karen Lockhart for this groom, so please buy it - LOL! I absolutely am thrilled with how well this couple fits together - they truly do compliment one another.
It's the season for wedding preparations. With all the summertime weddings coming up it is now, that many brides (and grooms) are working eagerly towards getting ready for their big day. So why not start thinking of how you will surprise them with something hand-made on their wedding day.
Weddings typically have a soft edge to them and so in thinking through this creation I felt that I wanted to use simple Pergamano techniques to create an ethereal feeling to the image. I began by stamping the groom using Palette New Canvas ink on the Parchment Paper. To get my placement exact on the bride I did the exact same thing as Debbie - I pulled out my Stamp-a-ma-jig. It is a tool I just can't live without being I always like to stamp with precision.
To bring out the softness of the white stamped image I used a combination of two different embossing stylus - both the fine stylus and extra small ball. Once the image is dry I flip it over on to the specially designed embossing pad and draw over the stamped outline using these fine-tipped stylus. Once completed I then colored the image on this side with Copic markers. Copics work SO well on Parchment paper - they truly allow you to get a watercolor like feel to your images.
When teaching stamping classes as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator there were two ink pads I always recommended to a beginning stamper - one was black and the other was VersaMark. The subtle watermark or color tone change that occurs on most cardstocks when you stamp an image using this particular ink pad is subtle, yet distinct. I would like to take this opportunity to let you know that Memory Box Cardstock is made completely different then cardstock that is colored all the way through and therefore VersaMark does NOT leave a watermark on Memory Box Notecards or Cardstock. So for this creation I used Certainly Celery cardstock from Stampin' Up!
As you can see from the finished creation inking the Scalloped Lace Backgrounder with VersaMark and stamping on cardstock leaves a beautiful, monochromatic impression.
This beautiful addition allowed me to create a simple card with a lot of WOW factor. The window was cut and embossed using a rectangular Nestability, and white pearls were affixed to help complete that "wedding-like" feeling.
Now for my storage tip Ü I have taken a few pictures to share how it is that I am storing my backgrounders. First I run the paper insert that comes with the backgrounder through my Xyron machine - laminating both sides of the insert.
I then remove the backing on the backgrounder and attach it to the back of this insert as shown below.
When I ink my stamp I just leave my backgrounder on this laminate covered piece and lay it face down on my work surface, tapping the ink pad evenly over the entire backgrounder.
Place your cardstock on your background in the desire location as shown below.
I then flip the scrap paper that I am working on over the top of this "sandwich", lightly holding the card in place.
Next I gently rub my hand over the entire surface. Lift and remove.
Look how beautiful and crisp the image is Ü Thank you to Julie Ebersole for the wonderful tip of using the scrap paper I am working with - no longer do I go running around looking for a scrap piece of typing paper when I am getting ready to use my backgrounds - LOL!
Being that I know others like to feel the stamp in their hand we do have an alternative for those who prefer this method. We have found a beautiful acrylic block that is just the right size for use with backgrounders and other large stamps.
Having the ruler grid allows me to easily line the stamp up perfectly. As well the finger grip positions make it more comfortable to use.
I have a rather small hand - 8" from tip of my thumb to the tip of my pinky when my hand is fully stretched open. I can still control these blocks due to the finger grips that are in place.
Another method for those who already own wood mounted backgrounds that have a decal in place on the front is to remove the backing on the Smart Cushion or EZmount stamps and temporarily affix it to the face of a wood mounted background. Once you have finished stamping clean the stamp, remove it and place it back on to your storage surface.
One last little bit of information that I would like to share in regards to storing Smart Cushion or EZ mount is extremely important.
Please Note: It is not recommended that you store any of your Smart Cushion/EZMount Stamps on Acetate Sheets. Acetate is made with chemicals that will react with the Smart Cushion/EZMount and any other cling cushion type product, making an almost permanent bond between it and the cling. Acetate products include transparencies and many binder inserts. Laminate sheeting is not supposed to have the same effects and therefore the reason I am really excited about being able to use my Xyron for this purpose.
Well, it is time to crawl into bed. I hope that you enjoy my version of the bride and groom as much as I have enjoyed Debbie's! Be certain to take a peek - her watercoloring is incredible! Thanks for stopping by and be certain to read my post of two days ago for a little surprise at the end - you have one more day Ü
What a pretty, sweet card! Thank-you so much for demo.ing the lace backgrounder. Although I love SU products, I never liked the image left by the Fine Lace BG stamp and had shyed away from this one for that same reason. The CHF one does beautifully so on to my wishlist it goes... Also, got my new Copics yesterday! Wonderful turn-around and customer service! Thanks so much!!!!!!
Posted by: Beth | January 27, 2008 at 08:19 AM
How lovely, Ellen! I hadn't realized that the lace one had a scalloped edge. There goes one more stamp on my wishlist! :-D
Posted by: Debbie Olson | January 26, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Wow, that is gorgeous...so elegant looking. You are so talented!!! :D Have a great weekend . . .
Posted by: diane mcvey | January 25, 2008 at 08:59 PM
B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L, as always!! TFS.
Posted by: Juanita | January 25, 2008 at 07:56 AM
Now I'm chuckling, Ellen -- take a look at what I was working on yesterday and just posted on my blog this morning -- the same Lace backgrounder!! Love your lime lace and beautiful wedding couple on parchment!
Love that big acrylic block with the finger grips -- nice find!
Posted by: Sharon Harnist | January 25, 2008 at 06:49 AM
Debbie, please do a test run with the laminator. I've done the exact same thing (using my Xyron) and had problems getting the EZ Mount stamp off afterwards. It ended up keeping small chunks on the laminated surface. I had to remount the stamps. I hope it's working well for you, but just a tip that you might keep an eye on it.
Posted by: jenny4wheel | January 25, 2008 at 04:57 AM
Well there you go...first Debbie, and now you. Lol! Yep...the bride & groom are now on my list! Both of you have really enabled me. ;) Beautiful card, Ellen!!
Posted by: Rose Ann | January 25, 2008 at 01:26 AM
WOW! Ellen, that is simply gorgeous! Very different from Debbie's and shows just how versatile these 2 stamps can be!!
Posted by: Jana Weaver | January 25, 2008 at 12:45 AM