Hi everyone! It's Julia back with another stamped card design. Lately I've been totally addicted to stamping florals and two and three step stamping in particular. While I did cover this technique on my last post, I'm giving it a spin again using a different floral stamp set and creating a lovely die cut border. If you missed the previous project, here's the link to Pretty Peonies card.
To start off this card I've created a white card stock card base that opens to the right. This is where I'm going to put in my border for a fun accent. It's also a nice easy way to make the card less symmetrical and add some interest. Using the tiny scallop die from Stitched Borders 4 by Pretty Pink Posh I opened up the card and then die cut approximately an inch away from the front right side of the card front.
Now it's time to get stamping. I'm using the beautiful, BEAUTIFUL Painted Flowers stamp set from Altenew. It has gorgeous hand sketched outlines to highlight the flowers and this gives it a very unique artistic look.
I decided to open the card right up to make stamping easier. I didn't want to get it over the border on the right side and opening it up allows you to get a better impression towards the seam as well. The other plus for this is that it doesn't leave the back of the card blank. Stamping it is like going the extra mile and making it ALL beautiful.
To stamp the flowers you need to start with the sketchy outlines first before adding in the color. This helps you place the additional layers. My favorite black ink is the Ranger Jet Black Archival ink and that's what I've used here.
Keep adding in layers of ink with the multi-step stamps until you've completed the card front and back.
I've used Avery Elle Pigment Inks for this card as well as the Pretty Peonies card I created last time I was in the CLASSroom. I absolutely adore the color palette. You could totally stamp in dye inks for this stamp set but I love the lovely look of the pigment inks. It doesn't show up as much here on white card stock but using pigment inks with a darker card stock really makes them shine. After my last project I had some questions about pigment inks and keeping them from smearing or getting on your hands. Here's a few tips that I have to share...
Pigment Ink Tips:
- Pigment inks take longer to dry than dye inks. You can wait a little bit longer between stamping the layers or you can heat set the ink with a heat gun.
- I like to ink stamps by having them face up on my desk and then tapping the ink pad onto the stamp. I find it gives me a little more control.
- Check your ink pads. I have had this problem more with dye inks but it might be the case with pigments as well. Sometimes the manufacturer adds a bit too much ink to the pad and it gets a little messy. If this is the case, take some paper towel and blot up some of that excess ink. Yes, it's a bit wasteful but if there's too much you just can't stamp properly and it's frustrating.
- Choose the appropriate size acrylic block. Choosing one that is a lot larger than the stamp can mean you get ink onto the acrylic block which then will transfer to the design.
- As with all stamping inks, take your time to line up the stamp and apply firm even pressure when stamping.
Once all the stamping is completed and dry, it's time to finish off the border on the card. After cutting a layer of orange card stock to 4.25" x 5.5", I die-cut the edge of it once again using the Pretty Pink Posh Border dies. This time you want to line up the die so that it is somewhere between the first edge you trimmed off and the right side of the card base. Once you have it cut and have checked the fit, go ahead and adhere it to the back of the front card base.
To add in the final pink layer, take the pink card stock and cut a strip of it 1.25" x 5.5" and adhere it along the edge. You could add an entire layer but I find it just adds weight to the card and the white card base is much easier to write on when you are giving the card away.
I've also added in a sweet sentiment by pairing up stamping and die-cutting. The Hello stamp is from the Altnew Label Love stamp set and once stamped and cut out, it has been adhered with foam squares. The amazing die cut is just that...amazing. I love the script and it is from the Positive Word Die Set by Julie Ebersole and the Essentials by Ellen line.
Thanks so much for joining me today in the CLASSroom! Enjoy the weekend and don't forget to find time to get creative!
Supplies:
