Okay, I admit it, when I first saw these new "silhouette" stamps I wasn't that impressed. They're featured on the Style Watch, page 10 and 11 in the new catalog. Then I had a chance to use the Inspired by Nature set at the Convention, and it definitely has a Wow factor.
Before you dismiss them like I did, check out the Splitcoast Stampers gallery, here: Inspired by Nature, and Dawn Griffin's Envelope Note Card Holder (I gotta try this). Dawn has a fantastic video tutorial on how to apply multiple colors to this solid stamp. Here's what my hostess club got to make today.
So . . . we used this set just about every way possible. We started first by stamping the long luscious grass blades in Versamark ink on the Apricot Appeal paper. Then, we stamped the black-eyed susan flower image in craft white ink and heat set that (craft ink takes a long time to dry, but you can speed up the process by warming it with your embossing gun.) Then, we used markers and/or daubers to apply the Really Rust, Always Artichoke and Chocolate Chip ink directly onto the rubber. We spritzed it with a fine spray of water and then stamped it to get a beautiful water-color look.
The top trim is our new Bella Rose paper with a Chocolate Chip and Tangerine Tango border - oooo, using the new scallop border punch.
Honestly, it never occurred to me to use my stamps to decorate gift bags until we did it as one of our make-n-takes at Convention. Turns out, we carry these bags (page 167 of the new catalog), and how fun would it be to make a matching card? Here's my bag again with the bag we made at the Convention in the background - using just the solid image of this stamp set produces stunning results.
Save the Dates
I just added two events to my calendar today, so, if you live in the Austin area, be sure you're getting my newsletter Ink-spirations (subscribe at the sidebar) so you can get all the details.
On Saturday, August 23rd, you're invited to a free Open House to help herald in the new catalog and purchase some retired stamp sets at a bargain. There will be make-n-takes, on-site demonstrations, and, if you let me know at least a week in advance that you're coming, I'll have a little gift waiting for you at the door.
My precious friend, Bonnie Connor, is a Hospice Chaplain (could there be a more honorable profession?). She wrote us that her terminally ill patients and their caregivers love getting her homemade cards. So, Bonnie and I are co-hosting an event we're calling Cocktails, Cards and Caring on Saturday, September 6. I'm bringing some card-making projects, Bonnie's bringing the cocktails, and you bring the caring spirit. Once again, it's a free event. You won't take any cards home (they'll all be mailed to the patients and their families), but you will take home the satisfaction that you helped some families through the most difficult times of their lives.
If you're interested in an invitation to either of these events, please e-mail me at lkmcclain2002@yahoo.com
