Going in Circles – A Stamp-Off Challenge

Susan, Jackie, & I have a fabulous and fun challenge for you this week. It’s all about circles.

I told you – fun! I was going to do a bicycle, but all my cycle stamps are retired. There were so many possibilities, but in the end, I decided on Paisleys and Posies.

I love the Pink Pirouette and Old Olive with the Early Espresso. Even though I use the pink and green a lot in the spring, the Early Espresso kind of “autumns it up” a little bit. It also reminds me of a box of chocolates (and did anyone else hear Forrest Gump’s voice in your head when you read that? Bet you do now.).

First I stamped and embossed the scalloped circles from Paisleys and Posies using VersaMark and White Stampin’ Emboss Powder on Early Espresso Cardstock. I used a stamp positioner to line up the scallops, then fussy cut around them. After I was finished, I had a “light bulb,” head-smacking moment. I have the dies that go with this stamp set; I could have stamped and embossed and then die-cut them and layered to the cardstock. That would have been much easier. So – if you decide to make a card like this, do it the die-cut way, unless, of course, you love fussy cutting.

Next I stamped and embossed the smaller circles at the top of the Early Espresso layer, also with VersaMark and White Stampin’ Emboss Powder. And then I got out my new Stampin’ Blends and went to work. It’s very subtle, but I used the darker Old Olive, Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake, and Cherry Cobbler Blends to color over the embossing powder. Since the new Blends are alcohol markers, the color doesn’t rub off.

After positioning the Early Espresso layer over the Pink Pirouette layer, I stamped the tiny circles in Early Espresso Ink. Then I added some Pearl Basic Jewels to the centers. I also colored them with the Pink Pirouette and Old Olive Blends before I adhered them.

The final circle is the scalloped die-cut under the die-cut chair from the Seasonal Layers Thinlits. The Whisper White circle was a little bold, so I sponged it with Pink Pirouette ink. The banner is just a scrap of the Old Olive ombré design from the Color Theory Designer Series Paper Stack (which you can either order in October with two more packs of DSP and get a fourth free, or select the Color Theory DSP as your free one. Either way – you need that paper. See all of this month’s specials here.). I stamped the sentiment from Vertical Greetings on the DSP, then added a Copper Trim bow to the top.

Our challenge was “Going in Circles,” and I really was when I made this card. My little three year old helper loves my craft room, and she had a fun time exploring today. Whew! I thought stamping with a toddler was an adventure. Stamping with a preschooler takes it to a whole new level.

Now – head over to Susan’s and Jackie’s blogs to see their fabulous circular creations. I can’t wait. They both tend to think “out of the box,” so it will be fun!

Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy. Have a wonderful day!

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