Monochromatic Stamp Off

Welcome to another Stamp Off Friday with Jackie, Susan, and me. This week, we’re making monochromatic projects.

I had lots of  color combinations in my head, but I think I was influenced by the challenge picture. Or maybe it’s because Stampin’ Up!® offers a plethora of green options. Or maybe it’s because it’s my favorite color. Whatever the reason, I chose “green” as my mono color.

This card is dedicated to Susan. I thought of her the entire time I was making it. (Actually, I kept thinking, “What else can I do to cause Susan to itch?” Butterflies yesterday; grunge today. Susan, honestly, I’m not tormenting you on purpose. <3)

I haven’t done a messy card for a while, so I pulled out my Timeless Textures, Touches of Texture, and Sheet Music Stamp Sets from the Stampin’ Up!® Annual Catalog, as well as Country Home from the Holiday Catalog.

First, I stamped the Sheet Music on Very Vanilla using Pear Pizzazz ink. Then I added the texture elements in Soft Suede (my “neutral,” but it’s also kind of a green-brown, don’t you think?), Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, and Soft Seafoam.

Interesting side note…(I’m giving Susan a chance to catch her breath before I freak her out again!) I used a lot of greens, and there were still at least six that I didn’t use. WOW! Someone at Stampin’ Up!® loves green as much as I do. Or they realize how many greens there are in nature and know that we need lots of options for leaves and grass and more leaves and bushes.

After I finished stamping the Very Vanilla layer, I sponged some Soft Suede over the edges. And then, for a bit more texture, I crumpled it up into a little ball, then flattened it out again. I did this several times until it was crumpled enough to suit me. Typically, I would have spritzed the paper with water first – because it crumples better that way –  but I had already stamped and didn’t want the ink to run. (I know, right? All that mess and I was worried about the ink running. HA!)

The reason I’m teasing Susan (and Jackie too, actually) is because both of them are very meticulous stampers. Their projects are always very neat and precise and beautiful. I copied one of Jackie’s cards years ago, and I was so proud that I had such a beautiful and pristine card. One of my downline was having a “craft day” at my office, and one of her customers picked the card up to get a closer look – right after she finished eating a chocolate chip granola bar but before she cleaned the chocolate off her fingers. So much for a pristine card. *sigh*

I sat beside Susan at OnStage earlier this month. Shelli Gardner (co-founder of Stampin’ Up!® and Board Chair) crumpled a project she was working on to give it a little texture. I wanted to applaud; Susan needed a safe space. “Why would you do that to such a beautiful image?” I thought she might cry. Being the good friend that I am, I gave her another piece of chocolate.

Back to my card…After I crumpled the Very Vanilla layer, I sponged some Pear Pizzazz over it to bring out the wrinkles. Sadly, most are under the top layer, so I could have saved myself some time and Susan some angst.

The top layer uses the Country Home Stamp Set. I stamped the can in Mossy Meadow, then the … well, they’re not really flowers, are they? They’re cotton and leaves and stuff. Whatever you want to call them, I stamped them in Crumb Cake. I pulled the Mossy Meadow from the can outline into the can, then added just a little more with a Blender Pen and Classic Stampin’ Pad. I colored a few leaves with the Mossy Meadow, then sponged Crumb Cake over the stuff in the can. The last thing was to add some White Chalk Marker to the raw cotton.

I always need thank you cards, so I stamped the oval in Soft Suede and the thanks in Mossy Meadow. I love my Stamparatus. It’s so easy to keep things lined up and get perfect images.

Although I did sponge a little color on the “can panel,” I tried to keep it somewhat clean so it would stand out from the background layer. I love this kind of card, because it’s really impossible to mess it up. (I can hear some of my Clean & Simple friends saying, “Let’s debate that! Because the first time you whipped out that sponge, it was a mess!”)

Before you head out for whatever you have to do today, please stop by Susan’s and Jackie’s blogs to see what they have created. I’m guessing you won’t see any sponging. Or crumpling. But you will see beautiful projects! Those two always inspire me and make my jaw drop. If I’m going to be totally honest, I’m a little jealous of their talents and creativity, but at least I get to be the “comic relief.” You should hit the “follow” button so you can see their projects in your email every time they blog.

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

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