Meet my Best Friend....the Stamp-a-ma-jig

Do you have a Stamp-a-ma-jig? No? You need one. This is probably the most essential stamping tool I have. (Big statement, huh!) I use it for almost every card, it make sure my sentiments are placed just right, and is non-negotiable for my Two Step Stampin' sets like the one in this card, Trendy Trees.

 

I saw Mary Ann McKay's card with this layout and thought it was very unique.

I started my card with an Orchid Opulence cardbase. I topped this with a layer of Old Olive and a sheet of Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper, punching the corners of both with my Ticket Corner Punch. My Trendy Trees were stamped on three different Whisper White diamonds in Old Olive and Soft Suede. They were then mounted on more Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper.

 

I stamped my sentiment from Great Friend in Rich Razzleberry on a slightly larger diamond. This large diamond was matted on Rich Razzleberry and then Orchid Opulence and Old Olive, skewing off to the side. I arranged them all in a diamond pattern and that finished it off. I really like the way this card turned out.

I would not have been able to make this card without my Stamp-a-ma-jig. I realize some people don't have one, or have one and don't know how to use it so I made this video tutorial to help explain. Once you get the hang of it, it is fast and easy and for myself, it improved the finished products of my stamping ten fold. Here is my tutorial, which you can also find on my new YouTube channel.



Don't forget, blog candy coming up this week to celebrate my one month Blog-o-versary!

Here's what I used:

Stamps
Trendy Trees 113258
Great Friend 113792

Ink
Soft Suede 115657
Old Olive 102277
Rich Razzleberry 115658

Paper
Whisper White 100730
Rich Razzleberry 115316
Orchid Opulence 100969
Old Olive 100702
Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper 115671

Etc
Ticket Corner Punch 107214
Stamp-a-ma-jig 101049

Lots of Dots!

Do you like dots? Who doesn't?? I was in a "dotty" mood this afternoon when I made this criss cross card. (Find the tutorial here.)

 

I had not tried one of these cards before and it was pretty easy and nice to have something a little different. I used Rich Razzleberry as my base and the Cottage Wall Designer Series Papers to decorate. My insert is Orchird Opulence and Whisper White Cardstock. The image and sentiment are from the awesome Hostess Set The More the Merrier.

 

I used Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon and Old Olive Buttons from the Playground Designer Buttons. (Hint: Mini Glue Dots are a must have for attaching embellishments such as buttons to your creations.)

 

Overall I think the card came together quite nicely! What do you think? Do you ever yearn to step outside the box with your cards?

Here's what I used:

Stamps
The More the Merrier 115322 (Hostess Level 3)

Ink
Basic Black 101179
Old Olive 102277
Rich Razzleberry 115658
Ruby Red 102259

Paper
Whisper White 100730
Orchid Opulence 100969
Rich Razzleberry 115316
Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper 115671

Etc
Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon 115613
Playground Designer Series Buttons 116313
Blender Pens 102845
Mini Glue Dots 103683
Crop-A-Dile 108362
3/16" Corner Rounder Punch 109047

Devoted to You!

 

I thought of my mother when I made this card, she just loves purple! This card has plenty of it!

I started with one of my favorite new stamp sets, Herb Expressions. I inked my Lavender stamp up with Rich Razzleberry and stamped it mulitple times. Each time I inked I stamped it twice to get a darker and lighter image. After I was finished I trimmed the bottom off of my Whisper White cardstock so you would not see the writing. I then inked the stamp one last time again in Rich Razzleberry and placed tape over my lavender image to isolate the sentiment and stamped it above my lavender.

This was then matted on Rich Razzleberry and then Lavender Lace. I clipped more Rich Razzleberry with my Scallop Edge punch and placed this over yet more Lavender Lace that I had run through my Big Shot with the Texturz Backgrounds 1 Flourish Plate. (Hint: Texturizing cardstock with your Big Shot is a super fast and easy way to add some pizazz to an otherwise simple card!) The last step was to add some Whisper White Satin Ribbon and adhere it all to a Whisper White card base! Lovely!

Here's what you need:

Stamps
Herb Expressions 113224

Ink
Rich Razzleberry 115658

Paper
Whisper White 100730
Rich Razzleberry 115316
Lavender Lace 101614

Etc
Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon 114616
Texturz Backgrounds 1 114512
Big Shot 113439
Scallop Edge Punch 112091

Thanks for looking, and stay tuned for an upcoming "Stay Put Bow" video tutorial and some blog candy next week!

Mojo Monday

This week's Mojo Monday sketch was tough for me, I'll admit it. I'm not used to doing such unique layouts. Here is what I came up with (And I promise I have more stamps than just this peacock, I just love him so much!!)



I started with a whisper white card base and layered Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry overtop. I ran my Rich Razzleberry through the Bigshot with the Damask Texturz plate to add a little extra "umph." My patterned papers are from the Razzlebery Lemonade Designer Series Paper pack-a must have to go with the new In Colors! A Crushed Curry accent piece goes over these...I used my scallop edge punch to add some interest to the bottom.

My gorgeous friend, the peacock from Very Thankful, is inked in Basic Black on whisper white. I added some Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry accents to his feathers with my blender pen and Classic Stampin' Pads. He's matted on Rich Razzleberry and given the "pop" he deserves with Stampin' Dimensionals.

What do you think? I'd love to hear your comments!

Here's the supplies:

Stamps
Very Thankful 115338

Ink
Basic Black 101179
Melon Mambo 115656
Crushed Curry 115659

Paper
Melon Mambo 115320
Rich Razzleberry 115316
Crushed Curry 115319
Whisper White 100730
Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper 115675

Etc
Blender Pens 102845
Stampin' Dimensionals 104430
Texturz Plates-Backgrounds 1 114512