Stamp of the Month, April

It has been a long time since I posted anything using the beautiful parchment paper we carry. When creating using this paper one achieves such a soft, elegant look. So for the April Stamp of the Month packet I thought I would share this art form with you in a very elementary way to expose more of you to the beauty that can be created using these simple tools.

I began with specific limitations - as you well know one must think in advance in order to have supplies at the ready. This month I had preselected a beautiful springy ribbon and brads to use in my project, but I had not determined what stamp I was going to use. It occurred to me that April is Tulip season here in Washington state and I just knew that this image would translate into Pergamano so well. When coloring flowers I often times Google the particular flower I am coloring to use as a reference. Little did I know that there are EXQUISITE blue tulips! You must click this link to see some other incredibly gorgeous blue flowers Ü

Photo by Nedko

To begin I stamped my Tulips image using Palette, New Canvas on Parchment paper. I then gently heat set it being I am an impatient stamper and don't like waiting for ink to dry - LOL! Be careful to hold your heat source away from the paper though so that you don't "curl" it. Place your parchment paper stamped side down on a dark padded surface. I prefer to use one of the Pergamano Embossing pads, but beginners can use a black piece of cardstock atop a stack of papers. Next I used my Fine Stylus Embossing Tool to trace all the details of the image. As you can see the Fine Stylus, shown on the bottom, has a much finer tip than any other stylus I carry. I really like this stylus for detailed work. You can achieve an embossed look with other embossing stylus, but it will not be as precise.

Copic markers work fabulously on parchment paper! To color this image work on the back side (or opposite side) of the stamped image - the same side as you embossed on. Begin with the lightest colors - B23, YG00, and Y21 (special). Add depth and dimension with B29, YG63, G85, Y21, YR14 and E39. Below is a close-up of the finished image.

One of the little quandries that one runs in to with vellum and parchment is that all detail shows from behind. In this case I really wanted the image to pop. As a solution I then stamped the Tulips image once again - this time I used a very light blue ink pad, Adirondack 's Cloudy Blue - to stamp my image on white cardstock.

To hide the adhesive can be tricky. There are many new adhesives on the market - one is made by Tombow and I tried it at CHA, unfortunately I could still see it through the vellum and so I try to be clever in attaching my projects so that no adhesive will show. I punched holes in the parchment using my Making Memories Slot Punching Tool. I love that I can punch a slot in any location with this tool. I did learn though that one should use the Making Memories cutting board that comes with it rather than the Basic Grey Magnetic Precision Mat - I managed to punch my slot right through to the metal surface - oops! Fortunately I was able to reinsert the little piece and my mat looks as good as new, but I thought I would forewarn you so that hopefully you don't make the same mistake.

Then thread your ribbon through the slots and apply adhesive to the back side of your cardstock placing it directly behind your pergamano piece. Place your project into position and adhere the cardstock to your cardfront. As you can see I removed the parchment from the ribbon so that I could adjust the ribbon to be in the correct spot for tying my knot. Next apply adhesive to the back side of the parchment piece directly beneath where you will run the ribbon. At this point I realized that I wanted to "frame" the parchment and so I ran my E39 Medium Broad tip around the edge of the parchment.

Thread ribbon through slots and adhere the parchment attaching two brads in the upper left hand corner of the parchment aligning them with the knotted ribbon below. I also sponged a little Vintage Photo distress ink on the Ocean Blue notecard to pull it all together.

OK - so I'm a goofball - LOL! I made this post go live and I wasn't even finished with it. So there you have it - a sneak preview of what is to come later tonight Ü I hope that you enjoy this month's project and jump on board with a Pergamano style or parchment craft project!

Comments

[Mel M. M. M.]

Astounding technique and what gorgeous results. I love the blue tulips. SO inspired and so very inspiring! Thank you for sharing your talent! :O)

[Lori Forester]

Hi Ellen,
I ordered and recieved my nestabilities from you and they got here today. I'm sooooo excited!!!!! I'm interested in some copic markers but I don't know where to start. Am I better off buying a set or chosing individual colors? I have Tombow markers and love them and was thinking of just getting some similar colours to what I have in those. What would a good set to start with be??
Thanks alot

[Kar]

Love this Ellen.. So glad I am going down the list on my blog and looking at everyone's blogs this morning!!

[Helen]

Spectacular! I'm vellum-challenged but really must try harder.

[Smriti]

This is soooo beautiful!

[Heather McNally]

Beautiful card Ellen! You put such care and love into your work! It shows.

[CherylQuilts at SCS]

How beautiful!! And what a great tutorial!! Thanks so much!

[Juanita]

TERRIFIC Tulips!! Your card is a work of art, I love it. This makes a wonderful SOTM Kit and I have to try to get it done since I have all of the supplies. TFS and inspiring.

[Marja Schellenberg]

Wonderful wath a great artwork.

[liannallama]

oh, it's gorgeous! I keep thinking I need to try to combine my stamping with Pergamano--this is fabulous!

[Rose Ann]

This is absolutely gorgeous, Ellen!!

[Stefanie Staniak]

Great card Ellen. I love the technique too. TFS.

[Alli Miles]

ELLEN!!! *falls over* This is just about the most BEAUTIFUL thing I ever did see.

[diane mcvey]

"What they all said!"...such a stunning image, I just LOVE it! I know mine would never look like this, but I may give it a try! Thank you for the gorgeous post! :D

[Linda Bullard]

Such a pretty card, using one of my favorite techniques with vellum/parchment paper! I have some April birthday cards to make, so thanks for the inspiration. Your discussion about adhesives with vellum gave me an idea also. I'll e-mail you about that. Linda

[Sharon Harnist]

Gorgeous, Ellen, thanks so much for revisiting this beautiful artform -- I can't wait to try it!

[Karen Wallace]

Gorgeous, I'm just getting into the copics and love them. Thanks so much, have you tried the sheer heaven vellum, it's awesome!! Can use anything on it and even run through the printer it does not smear. Water color chalks, anything works on it. www.cre8it.com is the website, yes it's an 8 Thanks for a wonderful tutorial
Karen W

[Cheryl Horton]

Oh Ellen - two things, One I am so jealous that you are seeing tulips, here in Maine we still have snow I mean it even snowed yesterday. They will come I know. 2nd - Wow and I'll say it again WOW what a beautiful card. Thanks for such a detailed description and great photos. Beautiful, just beautiful!

[Otter]

Ellen!!! This is gorgeous!!!

[Sue B]

Stunning. Really love the tulip image.

[Debbie Olson]

Oh, Ellen! This is breathtakingly lovely! You've definitely inspired me tonight!

[-mary]

Awesome, beautiful, stunning card - you are a bundle of pure talent. The colored images are detailed and realistic, the papers and embellishments coordinate perfectly, the techniques are faultless, and you throw in a little OCD for good measure. This is definitely my kind of project! ;-D
Tulips and daffodils are the first signs of spring and they've already faded here in the deep south - BooHoo. I was hoping to visit the NW in April and see some of the tulip farms, but today we bought tickets for May and August. I'm ecstatic to have my flights booked, but hate that I'll miss the beautiful tulip season.
Thanks for the fun blogs, the beautiful projects, and the step-by-step tutorials.
-mary

[Ruth Gore]

Wheee! I am so glad I checked early, but I never expected to see the April stamp of the month already! I can hardly wait! Beautiful card, so soft and lovely.

[Linda Duke]

WOW!! I want it!!! *wink* It's just beautiful. Must give this a try. Thanks for all your posts so we can read and learn. You have know idea how much it is appreciated. Thanks Ellen

[Marsha Carlsen]

Gorgeous! As usual, you have once again outdone yourself. Your colors and technique are awesome.