Good Morning Stampers -
Here we go into a new week. I started some Fall cleaning over the weekend; the list is long, so I hope to keep whittling away at it as I enter this week. I think a good deep cleaning is in order, including getting rid of some excess clutter.
I found a wonderful website recently with a suggested checklist for how to go through the house and clear out clutter. Check out "200 Things to Throw Away" HERE -- you might find it helpful too 😊
It's Paper Players [PP264] challenge time -- with a cool sketch to play with. I decided to pull out a new stamp set that I have not had a chance to use just yet. Seemed perfect for this sketch.
Doggone Delightful Stampin' Design Tips:
- Layerothology. This cardbase is cut from Basic Black cardstock, 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4". The background layer is Tip Top Taupe cut 1/8" smaller around, and a piece of the Go Wild DSP another 1/8" smaller again. The brown and black color combination for this card seems the perfect ticket.
Technique Tip: Always use a scoring tool to make lines. Don’t just fold by hand. This often results in buckling and wrinkling of the cardstock, depending on its “weight”. A great card deserves a great foundation on which to build. Also, use a Bone Folder to create a crisp edge on all of your folds. But be careful…too much pressure can lead to unsightly “cracked” edges.
Technique Tip: Did you know that there is a right and wrong side to your scored card base? The “bump” formed by the scoring tool goes toward the inside of your card. You’ll notice when you fold inward so the score bump is inside that you get a perfect professional-looking fold and card every single time!
- Go Wild! I have been holding this designer paper for a while. In all honesty, it has not been one that necessarily grabbed me or spoke to my preferred aesthetic. It is one of those collections that the more you look at it, the more it grows on you though. When I contemplated using this stamp for today's challenge, I reached for this paper thinking it would be the perfect combination, and I was right! The second layer in this card is another piece from this designer series paper collection, matted with Basic Black. A piece of a Spider Web Doily is placed from the back side on the bottom to emulate the scallops in the sketch.
- If the Broom Fits. I just think this is an adorable stamp -- and even better, it's affordable. It's a single stamp "set" if you can call it that. I have "fussy" inked this stamp for today's challenge -- and to do this, I very highly recommend you use your stamp-a-ma-jig. The brooms of choice (there are actually 5 on the stamp itself), were inked with a Tip Top Taupe ink stampin' write marker. The sentiment was inked with a Basic Black stampin' write marker -- first the "If the Broom Fits" portion, lined up with a stamp-a-ma-jig so I could place it right where I wanted it; and then the "Ride It" second, again lined up with a stamp-a-ma-jig. Perfection! The piece is popped with dimensionals. The Burlap ribbon was sort of a happy accident. I went looking for my Burlap ribbon because that was indeed what I wanted to put in that spot; however, I stumbled on this piece in my scrap box already all de-threaded and absolutely the perfect backdrop for my brooms!! Technique Tip: To create this look, clip off the one sealed edge and pull long threads (on the horizontal) to your hearts content 😉 A Gold Basic Metal Button with a little Burlap thread pulled and tied through it, and attached with several glue dots is the perfect classic finishing touch. No pearls today! 😉
Here's a little side peak at the inside of the card.
Cute? Does this stamp appeal to you? Or is Halloween not your thing? Leave me your thoughts -- I'd love to read your comments.
As always, I'm only an email away if you have questions about any of my designs, or need other assistance - [email protected].
Until Next Time . . .