The last three days have been very long – but have passed by quickly at the same time. The same day that we all were able to see the “retired list” for the first time, we demonstrators were able to download a copy of the 2013-2014 Idea Book and Catalog. At 3:30am on Wednesday, Bandit sat with me on the couch in the den as I flipped slowly through the book, careful to soak in every detail. The otherwise quiet room was filled with “oooohs” and “aaaahs” and a couple of “meooows”. Later in the day, Bandit was forced to live through the catty all over again as I talked through it page-by-page with Pam, then Ann and then Jamie (all demonstrators who also have the priviledge to see the new book in advance of its May release). After I put him through all that, he helped me to sort each of the new items into my “want list” and my “need list” – that cat was focused on getting those lists completed. I will say this – the “need list” is jam-packed with wonderful things – I can’t wait for you to see it and start ordering. 🙂
As I started cleaning things up in my fungeon yesterday (feels like it’s the end of the school year – except that I’m hoping to skip summer and jump right into the next year), it hit me that I am emotionally drawn to several retiring stamp sets. Perhaps the first set I fell in love with last year is Just Believe. I love the images. I love the sentiment. The set is perfect in brights, subtles, regals and neutrals. With a soft tear in the corner of my eye, I sat down to make this card:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- 3-D Stamping. On a 2-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ piece of Whisper White card stock, I stamped this serene Just Believe image in Sahara Sand (stamped off once on my grid paper to generate a very light image). I lined up the image with my Stamp-a-majig and stamped it again (just a tad bit to the left of the first image) in Soft Suede. You can’t really see the impact of this double-stamp in the photo above, so here’s a close-up to give you a better idea of how cool it looks:
- Clean Neutrals. When I decided to pair Sahara Sand and Soft Suede at the onset of this card, I naturally reached for Very Vanilla as the base of the card front. Why wouldn’t I host a festival of brown hues? I wanted to do something different, so I reached for Whisper White instead. What a crisp, clean look the browns have when paired with Whisper White! Clean – like a starched white shirt and a pair of khackis. I went through the same process when trying to select the ribbon for the card front. I tried several options of seam binding ribbon, including natural trim, before realizing that the 5/8″ Whisper White Organza Ribbon would really pop here.
- Simple Sentiment. I tried several options for the “Memories” sentiment. I stamped it and trimmed it in a banner. I considered a banner over the image or a tag coming out from under the image. I tried to stamp it and punch it. In the end, a stamped image in the bottom, right corner is just what the card needs. It allows the image to command the central focus on this card front.
Stamp sets: Just Believe, Loving Thoughts Papers: Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Whisper White Inks: Soft Suede, Sahara Sand Accessories: 5/8″ Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stamp-a-majig
If you don’t have this stamp set, please do yourself a favor and order it now. Here are some other cards I’ve made with Just Believe (you can click on the photo to take you back to the original post):
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Brian
Well what a surprise to see four additional cards after I’ve pulled my nose of my computer screen studying that Stunning Just Believe Card! This crisp monochromatic layering lends to the perfect Sympathy or in Memory of card, well done! -Pinning!
I love this stamp set …At first I wanted it for the main sentiment but, it`s has so many great images that can be used for different cards. Thank you for showing what you did with this set . I like all of these cards and if there may be one person out there debating on wheher to get it I say grab it …you won`t be sorry . And Brian I like that you shared how you chose the colors used . I think the end colors chosen can make such a difference .And I am going to try that 3-D stamping . I have never done that before !
Beautiful cards, Brian and a great tribute to this stamp set that will be gone soon. I too will try this 3-D technique, I think it really can add so much dimension to the image. Now, about Bandit…..what a wonderful kitty he is helping you choose your items for both of those lists. I can’t wait to see the new catalog, I know it’s going to be really great and that spells T R O U B L E for me, I’m not to good at choosing between NEEDS AND WANTS.
I agree with everyone on your technique!
It is beautiful! I’m going to try it, too. However, I need to choose another stamp set since I do not have Just Believe. Oh, dear, will I have to put it on my “want list”? 🙂
You need to put it on your MUST HAVE list …order by June 3rd before it is retired! It is the most versitile set I own and I have made dozens of completely different cards for all occasions….just look at Brians gorgeous cards and how different they all look!!! It is my favorite stamp set ever!!!!
Agreed. It is SO versatile! Can be used for masculine or feminine cards and, as Brian mentioned, in just about every color! Can’t think of a way to use it as a Christmas card, though….Now I’ll have to get mine back out and see what I can come up with!
Beautiful color combo – browns and white! Ditto on the double-stamping (comments)- sublte technique, but what an impact!
I love how crisp and bright this card is, Brian. This is a really nice stamp set.
It’s a beauty!
Brian – Do you EVER sleep? My gosh, 3 a.m. in the morning? No wonder you can accomplish so much, you and Bandit actually did find a way to have 24 hours a day awake! The cards are amazing as always and the color combos are just fabulous.
I just got this set last week. Had eyeballed this for such a long time and finally broke down and purchased. Endless possibilities as Brian has showed us. Can’t wait to ink up and play with it. Today’s card is very soothing.
Hey Brian, since you aren`t busy at this time ….(snicker) I would like for you to do a video on how to do the 3-D stamping . You could show how far off the main image …do you choose lighter or darker for the end effect …. please put that on your “To Do ” list of activities …Thank you very much !
Great idea, my friend!!
Beautiful card! I “Just can’t Believe” that this set is discontinued. Thankful that I have it. You continue to amaze me with your wonderful creations! Thanks for sharing.
Brian my friend been busy !! love them all. !! tfs !!
hugs frenchie
Brian I am stunned by your work. Simply amazing. I am curious as to what is in your new catalogue “needs” list if you’d be willing to share.
I am so with you Brian! Just Believe is the only stamp set that I was soooo disappointed to see go. It is my absolute favorite and the most versitile set I own! Your cards are gorgeous!! If I could only own one set this would be it!!!! I hope alll your customers order it before it is too late!
You know Brian, I have this set but I’ve never looked at it all these beautiful ways. Lots of different designs with the same set. Thanks for showcasing all of them; they are all beautiful as is everything you do.
I, too am a Demo and can honestly say I haven’t been as excited about the upcoming Catalog as I have been for ANY other one!! So excited to order….my “needs” are much longer than my “wants”!!
“JUST BELIEVE” is one of my all-time fav stamp sets…. so versatile. By changing the color scheme it’s great for up-beat cards or Sympathy cards. And so many stamps in it!! Beautiful card, Brian. I must say I abhor using the SAMJ!!! But seeing the AMAZING way you’ve used it (never seen it used that way); I’m going to give it another “go”. I don’t think this card would have the impact without it. Brilliant job!! Olivia sat through several sittings of looking at the on-line catalog, too, so tell Bandit he’s not alone. Although Olivia gave no opinion at all, so she wasn’t help other than her wonderful company!!
Just Believe is one of my favorite sets. I’m really shocked they are discontinuing it
Thank you SO much for doing a post dedicated to such a wonderful stamp set. When I found out this one was retiring, I nearly cried! I haven’t had it that long, but it has absolutely been my favorite. In fact, one of the first cards I made with it after I got it was a version of the one you did with the circle mask. (I made sure to tell EVERYONE where I CASE’d it from!) It will live on through my church card ministry, but I am sad I won’t be able to sell it to my customers after the end of May.
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful stamp set, Brian. Love, love your first card in neutrals; so simple but amazing! Just Believe is in my top three floral sets along with Field of Flowers and Blooming Kindness. If I didn’t already own Just Believe, I would already have ordered it as it is that necessary to one’s stamp collection. Keep up the great work Brian! Yours is one of the stamping blogs I MUST check everyday. Engaging stamping and stories!
Beautiful card Brian, and so bold using whisper white with the other 2 colors. I got the Just Believe set in my starter kit a couple of years ago, and am also so sad to see it go. But excited for all the new things in there as well.
I know that I am cheating (again!)….by copping that I agree with everyone else’s comments, but I have this set and agree on versatility and being a must have set! Love how you figured how to create this beauty and for sharing your ideas…there, more to say than planned, but nearly Midnite and time to hit the bed…sweet dreams!