When I first saw Linda Callahan’s sketch for this week’s Freshly Made Sketches challenge, I immediately knew I’d be using Bordering Blooms, one of Stampin’ Up!’s new photopolymer stamp sets, to complete my project. As I planned for this card all week, I imagined it would be soft and sweet with Blushing Bride or Calypso Coral. When I sat down to create, though, that all changed, and I created this card:
And here’s Linda’s sketch that inspired my design:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- Neutral Color Scheme. When people want to look super-preppy, they wear khakis and starched, white shirts – that’s why you see so many family photos on the beach in these preppy uniforms. Although I used Very Vanilla instead of Whisper White, this color scheme was inspired by your family’s holiday photo.
- Triple Stamping. This sketch calls for multiple strands at a diagonal across the page. To create several layers with the same floral image, I embossed it once with Black Stampin’ Emboss Powder. I then stamped it just above and just below the embossed image with Versamark. This effect creates a hazy replica of the leafy strand on either side of the embossed image.
- Photopolymer sets. Have you noticed that the Stamp Around Wheels are no longer in the catalog? Sure you did. We still need borders for our projects, so Stampin’ Up! has created some great photopolymer sets – long, narrow images to meet our bordering needs. Because they are clear (all the way through), you can easily place them correctly every time. Bordering Blooms has some great images, but I am particularly drawn to this one. Here are the others included in this set:
Stamp Sets: Bordering Blooms, Something to Say Papers: Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark Accessories: Black Stampin’ Emboss Powder, 1-1/4″ Circle punch, 1-3/8″ Circle punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Thanks for stopping by!
Brian
SAVE WHEN YOU BUY THE STARTER KIT. Between now and June 30, Stampin’ Up! is adding a reduced-price Starter Kit. The old one is still there ($99 for $125 of product – and FREE SHIPPING), but the new one ($50 for $55 of product – and FREE SHIPPING) gives you the option to create your Starter Kit at a reduced price. Perfect for a “test drive” or for a previous demonstrator to get a foot in the door again. There’s absolutely no obligation to purchase another thing after you join. Please contact me at stampwithbrian@gmail.com with questions or click here to join now.
I love the simplicity of your design, there is a lot of detail, it’s just subtle. Very beautiful and love the many layers 🙂
Wow!! This card is gorgeous and yet so simple. That set is going in my next order!
Striking card. I have yet to really sit down and “study” the new catalog….that set looks like a keeper.
Ooo, Brian , I love that one !!!
Tfs,
Hugs frenchie
Have a great weekend !
LOVE – LOVE -LOVE!!! Once again, you’re the King! So…I take it that you did ever have your picture taken in Khaki’s!!!! That made me totally laugh as that is so true!
This is a great CAS card, Brian. Love this stamp set and what you’ve done with it. Your “blog-entary” is entertaining as usual! Thanks! Have a great weekend!
Ooh-laa-laa! The color scheme is fantastic and so is the border. I am sure I would have made the mistake of stamping the two Versamark images first then the final black one only to have embossing powder end up on all three. Your card is gorgeous. You know, we have never had one of those family photos on the beach? Maybe I should add it to my bucket list. Haha.
Gorgeous!
Very classy card! Love the idea of the triple stamping. I will try that technique and hope it turns out even 1/2 as nice as yours! Thanks for sharing!
I love the 3-D effect you achieved on this card, it looks like the row of the black embossed image is floating!! So fabulous and beautiful and your layering and the colors you chose makes this card look so elegant. Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful weekend.
Love the triple stamping. You’re like me, what’s in your head doesn’t always appear on paper. By the way, you are now a real CELEBRITY– you made it in the Stampin Success again this month. WHOO HOO Way to go!!! Love your medal. Hugs!!!
Delicate and pretty! That image drew me to that set also. I believe SU did re-invent the wheel……whew!
Oh I love this image…..this set is on my list! Love how you stamped it on your card!
I have been looking at this set wondering if I should get it . It does have a good selection . I like the effect that your triple stamping produced . It makes it look like 3D or a shadow ! You did it again Capt. Clever ! Happy Saturday !
I just love the shadow effect you created with the Versamark. It’s soft, subtle and oh so rich looking. Just a fantastic card in all Brian. I didn’t have any interest in this set until today when I see what you have created with it. Thanks for the inspiration!
I really liked Bordering Blooms from the start. It arrived yesterday with my large order. Very happy to see you show cased it today. Embossing first then stamping over it, wonderful effect. I shall experiment. A very appropriate sentiment for this card. I shall CASE it with your blessings.
LOVE THIS CARD!!
A very handsome card, Brian. Love the color combinations and will try the technique with the border. Thanks for the inspiration!
a very elegant card, suitable for any occasion.
Great card! Got my shares package today, and it is fabulous! So glad I “wanted it all!”
Wow– so lovely. I look forward to your email every morning–you keep outdoing yourself.
Thanks for being you!
Great design, Brian! Simple, yet *so* striking. The beautiful mat layering and subtle background stamping really adds style to your design. I love the sentiment, too.
I had this set on my order and took it back off for “next time”. Seeing this card, I really wish I hadn’t! Love the simplicity. Very crisp.
YOWZERS!!! Fantastic card Brian! I love the simplicity, but crisp, clean lines of this card. This set is on my list….. cannot wait until June 22 when my order goes in. Thanks for sharing!
I am laughing my head off!! I have a huge family photo taken at the beach and mounted on canvas and… you got it….we are wearing kahkis and white shirts. LOL Of course it was not to look “preppy” (because we could never pull that one off)….it’s just easy to find clothes for men and women in those colors. 🙂
This is card is just beautiful Brian! The triple stamping of that vine border is just genius and so effective – I can’t wait to get my hands on all of this new stuff! Thanks for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches this week!
Nice take on the diagonal lines! The dainty vine is lovely. Thanks for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches!
Love this, simple but elegant. Love the neutral colors
I LOVE this card, Brian! I have a question, though. I’ve gotten some photopolymer stamps in my Paper Pumpkins, and I just can’t get them to work – when I ink them up, the ink just pools in certain places – almost looking like raindrops on the stamp – and I can’t get a crisp image like I do with rubber stamps. Any suggestions because I’d love to get some more if I can figure out how to use them!
Rebecca, I’ve not noticed a difference in the quality of stamped images between rubber and photopolymer. Could it possibly be that you have a juicy pad? If so, you can dab a little of the excess ink off with a paper towel. When I stamp with rubber, I tend to hold the image on the paper for a little while to let all the ink absorb into the paper. With photopolymers, I haven’t felt the need to do that. I just stamp down gently and pull away. Play around with the ink and the level of pressure you put on the stamp. Maybe that will help?
Love what you did with this stamp set – it’ll be going on my list.
Beautiful!
Brian, there are times when a card with all neutrals truly fill the bill. This card is absolutely beautiful, I love it.
I really love this one 🙂
Pretty card. (Feels funny to say that about “masculine” colors!)
I love the elegant simplicity of this card!
And a possible tip for Rebecca – I find that before I use the photopolymer stamps, I rub them gently on my jeans to condition them. Years ago we used to rough up super smooth images with an emery board, but these don’t require that kind of resistance. Just a little bit of a firm cleaning will get the factory seal off and make the stamp more receptive.