There is no doubt that multi-layer stamps add dimension and beauty to almost any project.
What is a multi-layer stamp?
It is a stamp set that takes 2 or more stamps layered on top of each other in different colors or shades of a color to create a complete image. They are simply beautiful.
One of my all time favorite stamp sets was Stampin’ Up!’s Stippled Blossoms. I was so sad when that retired because the images always stamped beautifully and that layered look was easy to achieve and looked dimensional. It always looked like a work of art!
I have been taking classes using Altenew stamps and these involve serious layering! It takes practice and when you get a set mastered, they are stunning.
Since I have my collection of Stampin’ Up! inks, I don’t feel the need, or perhaps I can’t justify buying a bunch of other inks. Inks are a pretty pricey purchase. One attractive reason why I might want to purchase inks from Altenew is because they bundle theirs in colors of 3 or 4 that specifically layer together. It’s so easy to take the bundle and use that because it takes the guesswork out of what colors to choose so that they all show up and look good together.
I did not use those inks today, instead I stuck with my Stampin’ Up! inks. I have decided that I will purchase some of the small ink cubes to try out other inks. That I can justify…and store easier.
I created 2 projects today using my Altenew Vintage Roses set. I love how the roses finally came out. I do have an entire piece of card stock filled with practice images to show for it! The Hello is one of their dies as well. I love that their stamps have coordinating die cutting sets. I find that I always regret not buying a stamp and die bundle when I just purchase either the die or the stamp set.
You can see on the envelope gift bag that I did die cut those out and it is just so easy when you have the die set. Gone are the days of fussy cutting. I’ve even started storing the coordinating dies in the same storage pocket as the stamp sets they coordinate with. The convenience of doing that is amazing!
The card layers:
Whisper White cut 4 x 5-1/4″ for the mat, 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4″ for the card base
Basic Black cut 4-1/8 x 5-3/8″
Blushing Bride cut 4-3/16 x 5-7/16″ just for a hint of pink
Make your sentiment word dies pop!
The hello sentiment has 3 layers of white and the top layer of black card stock all cut out with the die and glued together with Sizziz Adhesive sheets. I always try to remember to attach a piece to the back of the card stock before I do the cutting. They are double sided adhesive sheets and they make word dies and delicate detailed dies easier to attach.
Gluing some of those thin word die cuts requires a fine tip adapter on your liquid glue. I’ve started using the Ranger Multi-Medium Matte glue with a fine tip adapter when I forget that adhesive backing. I like that it dries clear without any shine to it. I was using Stampin’ Up!s fine tip clear glue is great, but it dries shiny so if you are a little sloppy, it shows when it dries. I only use that where it won’t show if I use too much.
You can see the dimension on the sentiment. Aren’t the flowers and leaves pretty? That is just 3-4 stamps layered in different pinks and greens to create that look. The design of the card is CASEd from the Altenew layering class that I’m taking. I selected my own colors and floral arrangement, but the basics are CASEd.
I can’t wait to have time to play with that some more later this week!!
I used a new die set on this project from MFT Stamps. This is the Stitched Fishtail Flag STAX Die-namics. I layered 3 of them together and I love that stitched detail. It is just a great extra touch.
These fabulous gift bags are from Stampin’ Up! as are all the embellishments. I used some burlap ribbon, gold metallic thread, berry burst metallic edge ribbon and powder pink finely woven ribbon. I also added a little bow made from the last of my linen thread. (Now I can justify a New Stampin’ Up! order!)
The sentiment on the gift bag is from Altenew’s Label Love. It has a ton of sentiments for all occasions.
I don’t think that you can ever have too many of those big sentiment sets that cover every occasion imaginable. Having a bunch of different fonts and styles of the same sentiment allows you to add just the right touch to a card or project. Plus, you never have to put them away. You will always use the stamps in those sets!
I got some new tools for the holidays and I am loving them. I know that I’ve shared at least 2 of these before, but I love that pretty little Mini Blossom Die Cutting Machine from Altenew. It’s so pretty and so convenient to use for the little dies. It made this a much quicker project because everything I needed was within reach on my desk!
I also love that Teflon bone folder. It’s a little on the pricey side but it just makes the nicest creases I’ve ever seen. Plus it feels so good in my hand. I was a luxury purchase that I am not sorry about. My sister gave me a bone folder that I had for years and it just got used so much that it was really comfortable in my hand. It was like it had worn just the right way to hold. Now I have this new one and it is fabulous. You can be that her next gift will be one of these.
The other thing that I quite like is that Tombow sanded eraser. I’ve been taking some lettering classes and this was on the list. I use it for those little smudges of ink you get on your cards. This takes them right off and you don’t even notice there was ever a smudge on the card. I ordered this on Amazon for less than 3 bucks and free shipping with my Prime membership. Little did I know that I had ordered from a company in Japan. It took 3 weeks to get here and I felt like an idiot for not paying attention to the fact that it probably cost someone a ridiculous amount to ship that item from Japan (by rowboat I think). I’ll be more careful about that in the future. I probably could have stopped at the office supply store after work one day and got the same thing there. (Still no doubt from Japan, but at least it wouldn’t have been shipped one at a time wasting money and resources.) Gah…I hate when I do stupid stuff.
But I do love that eraser! It’s a little bit of magic!
Stampin’ Up! Supply List
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You can shop online at mystampingstore.com! Remember that for every $50 you purchase in product, you get to select one free item from the Sale-a-bration list!
By the way…I created my card just before lunch and the gift bag after lunch. Here is the chaos that I created by making just one card:
