Hello friends. I hope your new year is starting off well. I have been working with the Stamp Perfect and Layering Stamps from Taylored Expressions and I am really enjoying both. Because TE's layering stamps are red rubber, having a stamp positioner is a must in order to align the stamps accurately. There are two different techniques for aligning the stamps and I will be showing both of them in the upcoming Stamp Perfect class (see classes link on the navigation bar above or click here). Please enjoy these samples -- the stamp sets are perfect for making cards for all occassions.
Taylored Expressions Simply Stamped Roses $19.79
Taylored Expressions Simply Stamped Tulips $19.79
For stamping the tulips, roses and leaves/stems, I used 2 or 3 shades of ink. The most solid image is stamped in the lightest shade of ink; the semi-solid image is stamped in the medium shade; and the most detailed image is stamped in the darkest shade of ink. For this card I made a template (stencil) using TE's Floral Lattice die and sponged various shades of Distress ink through it for a soft colorful background.
Tulips Thank You – Taylored Expressions stamp set with coordinating dies Simply Stamped Tulips; TE die Floral Lattice; design inspired by Jen Shults
Tulips Just a Note – Taylored Expressions stamp set with coordinating dies Simply Stamped Tulips; TE dies Stitched Banner Stacklets and Frame in Frame; TE embossing folder Leafy Vine; design inspired by Jean Manis
I love TE's Picture Perfect die Sunny Days and it makes a perfect frame and background for the colorful tulips.
Tulips Sunshine – Taylored Expressions stamp set with coordinating dies Simply Stamped Tulips; TE die Picture Perfect Sunny Day; TE embossing folder Dotted Lattice; design inspired by Melody Rupple
Tulips Spring – Taylored Expressions stamp set with coordinating dies Simply Stamped Tulips; TE die Pocket and Pages April; TE embossing folder Leafy Vine; design inspired by Pam Sparks
Tulips Full Bloom– Taylored Expressions stamp set with coordinating dies Simply Stamped Tulips; TE die Stitched Frame Stacklets 1; TE embossing folder Garden party; design inspired by Kerri Michaud
Tulips Easter – Taylored Expressions stamp set with coordinating dies Simply Stamped Tulips; TE dies Label Stacklets 8 and Stitched Banner Stacklets; Cuttlebug embossing folder Swirls; Memory Box die Stitched Rectangles; design inspired by Jen Shults
Roses Just Because – Taylored Expressions stamp set with coordinating dies Simply Stamped Roses
TIP: To add double dimension to the Hello die-cut sentiment, I also cut it from white fun foam and glued the black die cut on top. Not only does this add depth to the sentiment, but the white fun foam forms a shadow that adds a nice dimension also.
Roses Hello – Taylored Expressions stamp set with coordinating dies Simply Stamped Roses; TE die Script Hello; design inspired by Jen Shults
Roses Hello Valentine – Taylored Expressions stamp set with coordinating dies Simply Stamped Roses; TE embossing folder Dotted Lattice; TE die Pocket and Pages February; design inspired by Kim Singdahlsen
Roses Hello Lovely – Taylored Expressions stamp set with coordinating dies Simply Stamped Roses; Memory Box die Stitched Rectangles; TE embossing folder Dotted Lattice; design inspired by Jean Manis
Roses Thinking of You – Taylored Expressions stamp set with coordinating dies Simply Stamped Roses; TE embossing folder Swiss Hearts; TE die Stitched Banner Stacklets; Memory Box die Stitched Circles; design inspired by Kerri Michaud
TIP: Attach vellum to your cards with 1/8" scor tape. It does not show!
Roses Happy Birthday – Taylored Expressions stamp set with coordinating dies Simply Stamped Roses; TE embossing folder Kaleidoscope; Memory Box die Stitched Rectangles; design inspired by Shelly Mercado
Roses Birthday – Taylored Expressions stamp set with coordinating dies Simply Stamped Roses; Mmeory Box die Stitched Circles; Spellbinder die Classic Circles; TE embossing folder Swiss Hearts; design inspired by Melody Rupple
Roses Lovely – Taylored Expressions stamp set with coordinating dies Simply Stamped Roses; TE die Frame in Frame and Stitched Banner Stacklets; design inspired by Kendra Wietstock
Stamp Perfect Stamp Positioning Tool News
If you follow Jennifer McGuire's blog (see her video here), she recently published a post with tips for using stamp positioning tools like the Stamp Perfect. One tip that she gave was to use a bar magnet instead of the little round magnets that come with the tool. She cited several advantages: (1) you can use just one of the larger bar magnets (3” x ½” x ⅛”); (2) you won't have to be so worried about the little round magnets clinging to each other then breaking when you have to pull them apart, or losing the magnets; and (3) the larger/heavier bar magnet holds your paper more securely. I thought this tip sounded good so I have ordered these bar magnets and will have them available to you in about a week. They will retail for $5.99.
For more tips and tricks for using the Stamp Perfect, come to one of our upcoming classes. You can see them listed here.
Another tip she gave was to laminate a sheet of grid paper so you can easily wipe off inks. This makes a lot of sense and in fact I had just laminated a sheet of the grid paper pad that we sell to accompany the Stamp Perfect Tool. Now when you buy a pad of the grid paper, I will laminate one sheet for free!
As many of you know, the crafting industry is holding its big wholesale merchandise show right now. There will be lots of new products released at the show and I will bring you interesting news about new products as I receive information. Here are some I saw today:
Tim Holtz -- Ranger is releasing a new line of Oxide Inks which are a hybrid of dye and pigment inks.
Impression Obsession -- is also releasing a new line of Hybrid Inks.
Tim Holtz --Tonic is releasing a "Tim Holtz" stamp positioning tool. It is 8.5" x 8.5" and will be released in late March for $39.99.
Stamp Perfect -- is releasing another size stamp positioning tool. It will be 10" x 10" and retail for $29.99.
New Dies from Memory Box and Poppystamps
We have new dies arriving from Memory Box, Poppystamps, Taylored Expressions and Impression Obsession, and you can see all of them with prices on our What's New Page (see navigation bar above or click here.)
Thanks for reading the blog today and please stop in soon to see everything in the store. It's a new year so resolve to stamp and paper craft more! Have fun!