Thanks in Blue

Every month, our local Stampin’ Up!® demonstrators meet for a fun time of chatting, snacks, business tips and Stampin’ Up!® news, chatting, and, well, more chatting. Each month, we also have a challenge to work on for the next meeting.

This month’s challenge was to create a monochromatic card. We had a friendly debate about what “monochromatic” meant. Did it mean just use Old Olive, or could it be all greens? We decided to go with generic colors – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet.

I have to admit, monochromatic cards were very difficult for me in my early days as a crafter. I’m not sure I’m much better at them now, but I am pleased with my challenge entry. And apologies to my team members for posting this early, but I didn’t have anything else. Instead of crafting, I spent a lovely day with my parents, granddaughter, and younger son. This old lady was in “hog heaven,” as my husband says. (I don’t know what that means, even though I am a farmer’s daughter, but it seemed appropriate.)

I used a color combination that Christy used in a swap several months ago – Blueberry Bushel and Night of Navy. I never would have used those colors, but I love them together.

Details, Details

First, stamp the Buffalo Check Background Stamp in Night of Navy on a Blueberry Bushel card base. I did not use my Stamparatus for this. I simply placed the stamp on my table with the rubber side up, then inked it with Night of Navy and covered the stamp with my card base. I rubbed and rubbed and rubbed the inside front panel of the card to be sure it was totally covered with ink.

Next, stamp the large tree from the Winter Woods Stamp Set in Night of Navy. I did use my Stamparatus for this one, because I needed the next step to be perfectly aligned. Clean the stamp without removing it from the Stamparatus. Then ink the stamp with Versamark and stamp over the original image. Emboss with Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder.

After the embossed image has cooled, stamp the tree image on either side of the embossed tree using Night of Navy Classic Ink.

Side Note

I know you may be thinking, “Buffy, what are you doing using products from the Stampin’ Up!® Holiday Catalog? That sales period is over!” You’re right; it is. But the Buffalo Check Stamp and the Winter Woods Stamp Set (and coordination In the Woods dies) are some of the products carrying over from the Holiday Catalog! If you haven’t purchased them yet, you still have at least through June 3, 2019 to order them.

Back to the Card

Add three Clear Rhinestone Basic Jewels to the card to add a little sparkle. I colored mine with a Night of Navy Stampin’ Blend to keep the monochromatic theme.  I thought I was finished with this card, but it was just so dark, I realized I needed something more.

“Something More” ended up being the sentiment from the Friendly Expressions Stamp Set in the Stampin’ Up!® Annual Catalog. Stamp it in Versamark, then emboss with Silver Embossing Powder. That really brightened up my card.

I stamped a sentiment with more little trees using Night of Navy ink on Balmy Blue Cardstock inside the card to keep the monochromatic theme going.

Be sure to check in tomorrow. Susan, Jackie, and I will be sharing our favorite Occasions Catalog products. I can’t wait to see what they choose. Some of my favorites I don’t have yet, but I’ve seen what Jackie and Susan have done with them, so they’re on my shopping list. I’m not sure what my favorite will be. Jackie and Susan have had their cards made (and their blogs scheduled) for weeks already, I think. Me? I’ll be catching up tomorrow. So you’ll find out my favorite almost at the same time I do. I have an idea, though.

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

Product List