Friends Forever

At the Stampin’ Up!® OnStage event in November, demonstrators were challenged to create #simplestamping projects. These are projects that are easy for new stampers to replicate. Typically, these projects use minimal card stock, ink, and stamps.

Demonstrators, especially those who love to buy products (which is pretty much all of us), tend to have a lot of Stampin’ Up!® product – ribbon, Designer Series Paper (DSP), Big Shot, embossing folders, dies, punches, and we use several stamp sets and ink colors per card. When you crunch the numbers, most of our cards cost about $100 minimum! The cards are lovely and over the top gorgeous, but they are also a little daunting to new stampers who have limited supplies and money to spend. The answer? #simplestamping. It reminds demonstrators to remember our new friends and create things they can easily re-create at home.

To help keep us on the #simplestamping track, Stampin’ Up!® has been offering us challenges each month. January’s challenge is a #simplestamping Valentine. We’re to use stamps, ink, and paper, plus one extra. January’s “extra” is a punch.

I don’t usually make cards for Valentine’s day, but I decided to join in the challenge this month. Here’s my #simplestamping card. (How many more times will I use that hashtag in this post? At least one, I’ll bet!)

This was, perhaps, the hardest card I’ve ever made. I had to fight myself not to add more color, more stamps, embossing, and more layers – and maybe even a little sponging! It is so simple, but I really like it. I decided to use the Happy Tails set for my Valentine, because there’s a coordinating Dog Builder Punch, and during the Occasions Catalog sales period, you can save 10% if you bundle the stamps and punch.

Here are the details – but I’ll bet you don’t really need them!

First, I stamped the dog outline in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink. Then, I punched the dog from a post-it note and used the negative as a reverse mask over the dog. It may be just me, but the spots on the dog (and the details on the cat Nine Lives set) seem to go outside the lines. I’m sure it’s because I’m not lining them up right. But instead of fighting it, I decided to “reverse mask” the dog, then stamp the spots in the mask.

Next I stamped the sentiment, also in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, then stamped two hearts in Poppy Parade Classic Ink. Finally, I punched three hearts from Poppy Parade Cardstock using the Dog Builder Punch and adhered them to the Whisper White Note Card. Done!

This card is perfect for kids to make to give to friends on Valentine’s Day. Use the Stamparatus, and they can make them in a snap!

This card uses one stamp set, one punch, one ink color (plus black), and one color card stock (Poppy Parade) plus a Whisper White Note Card. And here’s the good news! If you purchase the Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad, Poppy Parade Classic Stampin’ Pad, the Happy Tails Bundle, Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes, and Poppy Parade Cardstock, you’ll more than qualify for a free Level 1 Sale-a-bration product – and you’ll have enough note cards left to make 19 more cards! And honestly, who doesn’t love a black & white card with a pop of red? Select the Home To Roost set, or the So Hoppy Together set and you can make super fun cards with a pop of that Poppy Parade. Or do a black & white card with the beautiful By the Bay set. Need sentiments? The Part of My Story set is perfect for cards for friends.

This card is a perfect reminder that you don’t need to spend a lot of time or money to create a fun #simplestamping card.

In honor of our four-legged friends, here’s a cute meme from my friend Lorraine.

I have to say, from personal experience the Golden Retriever, Rottweiler, Boxer, German Shepherd, and cat are all true!

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

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