Apothecary Pyramage

Months and months ago, I borrowed some card making magazines from our local library and one of them contained lots of cards which were made up in layers of the same image. I had never seen this technique before. They were made from down loadable images or purchased kits. I noted it down as one of my "to try out one day" list but it just seemed to be too difficult to incorporate it with stamped images and trimming/cutting layers of the same image to match. When Stampin' Up! debuted the Labels Collection Framelits and the coordinating Apothecary Art stamp set in the 2012 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue, I was immediately struck with how easily I could attempt this technique. However, the magazine failed to mention what this technique was called but my internet research was fruitful and I believe that it's called "pyramage".

So, here's my pyramage version - hand stamped, coloured and layered. I was very pleased with the results and hope that the photos do it justice. All items used in this card will return in the 2012 - 2013 Annual Catalogue (formerly called Idea Book & Catalogue or IB & C) but I am sad to say goodbye to my favourite background stamp set, Baroque Motifs which will be retiring at the end of this month.

project recipe
stamps: Apothecary Art (W127506, C125527), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (W119185, C120024), Baroque Motifs (W116340)
ink: Classic Stampin' Pad - Early Espresso (119670), Pretty in Pink (101301); Stampin' Write Markers - Pretty in Pink (100045), Regal Rose (105108), Lucky Limeade (123002); Jet Black StazOn (101406)
card stock: Early Espresso (121686), Lucky Limeade (124388), Whisper White (106549)
tools: Big Shot (113439), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976), Adorning Accents Embossing Folders (125601)
added pizzazz: Crystal Effects (101055), Pretty in Pink Stampin' Pastels (120962), Sponge Daubers (102892), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

 

cardessence tips

• stamp your image 4 times with black StazOn and run it through the Big Shot with the Labels Collection Framelits in 4 different sizes;
• colour the flowers, leaves and banner borders with your markers;
• use the Pretty in Pink pastel for the main part of the banner;
• apply Crystal Effects to the flowers and set aside to dry;
• whilst matching the layers, adhere with Stampin' Dimensionals.

I love the Apothecary Art stamp set and Labels Collection Framelits. There are so many ways that you can use these two items either individually or together for gorgeous paper crafting creations, this easy pyramage technique is just the tip of the iceberg. I highly recommend them as additions to your card making and scrap booking repertoire.

happy stamping

 

Melbourne Heartfelt Stampin' Event 2012

Regional Events are now called Heartfelt Stampin' Events in Australia. The whole structure of this event has been revamped. There were 4 classes to attend and a Product Playground where one could play with Stampin' Up! products to one's heart's content. There were also 2 demonstration booths to gather around where you can watch demonstrators showcase particular techniques.  Also, instead of swapping cards, we were encouraged to produce only one to pin on Share Boards.

I loved every minute of it especially the Product Playground. I spent way......... too much time there that I kept missing my classes. Fortunately, the classes were repeated and I could jump in on the ones I missed. Next time, I'm going to attend all my classes in the morning and devote the whole afternoon to the Product Playground and catching up with other people who attended. The whole event ran from 10am - 5pm.

For today's post, I'm going to share with you my Share Board contribution. I used the Mixed Bunch set which debuted in the 2012 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue. This set will return in this year's new 2012-2013 Idea Book & Catalogue, so please treat this as a Sneak Peak of what's in store for you.

project recipe
stamps: Mixed Bunch (WM 127516, CM 125537), Sincere Salutations (WM 116416), Season of Joy (WM 113023)
ink: Classic Stampin' Pad - Marina Mist (119668), Lucky Limeade (122935), Calypso Coral (122939); Stampin' Write Markers - Daffodil Delight (119677), Calypso Coral (123002)

card stock: Calypso Coral (124391), Marina Mist (121682) Whisper White (106549)

tools: Big Shot (113439), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Adorning Accents Edgelits (125595), Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders (125601), Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders (123130, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folders (119976), Bird Builder Punch (117191), XL Oval Punch (119859)

 

cardessence tips

• stamp two Mixed Bunch flowers in Calypso Coral on Whisper White card stock first;
• then use your Daffodil Delight marker to pick up Calypso Coral ink from the ink pad and start colouring your flower from the centre outwards - you will get a colour graduation from CC to DD in an even blend of colours;
• cut your flowers out, turn it over and colour in the reverse side with your Calypso Coral marker;
• quill one flower with the CC side facing you and use your bone folder to curl alternate petals of the 2nd flower upwards and downwards;
• adhere these 2 flowers together with the stamped sides facing each other;
• use your Bird Builder punch to punch out shaped leaves - you may wish to score leaf veins and sponge them to give them some interest and depth;

I hope that you like my contribution and that you will try the marker technique that I've used. Do remember that it will only work with a lighter colour marker to pick up a darker colour. I haven't had any issues with colour contamination (as yet). Have fun.

Retiring List 2012

The hugely anticipated Retiring List is here. Hundreds of stamps and accessories from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue are retiring. This is your last chance to get them before they're gone. All products are only available while supplies last, so be sure to get your orders in early! With many items discounted some will sell out fast.

The 2010-2012 In Colours are retiring, so all ink pads, cardstock, re-inkers and accessories will not be available when the new 2012-2013 IB&C begins on September 1st. If you have these colours be sure to grab the re-inkers at 25% off its RRP.

The photos on your right are examples of retiring stamp sets: Autumn Days, Cottage Garden, Season of Joy, Loads of Love, Dasher and Fine Flourish. Click HERE to see the Retiring List.


When you look at the Retiring Accessories list, you’ll note that all of our Classic Stampin’ Pads are listed and most of them discounted. With the introduction of the 2012-2013 IB&C, we have made a very big change to our ink pads. We are introducing: firm foam pads! They will change your stamping experience for the better.  We know you're going to love these new Stampin' Pads - just look at all the exciting benefits listed below:

• Provide better ink coverage for your stamps!
• Light-tap stamping produces flawless images!

In addition, our new Stampin' Pads.

• Create wonderfully solid images. The Firm Foam releases more ink onto your rubber stamp than the felt pads. When using the Firm Foam pad, your stamp will get an even, solid covering of ink that you may not have been able to achieve with the felt pads. Please note: if you are using the ink pad frequently you may need to re-ink your Firm Foam pad more often. We recommend that you purchase a refill at the time of your ink pad purchase.
• Have a crisply printed, glossy label on the top of the pad that is easier to read and that will not fade or chip off!
• Come with colour name labels in all four languages (English, Spanish, French and German)--just choose your language, peel it off the back and add it to the side of the pad for easy identification!
• Use the same patented flip-top case design that stores the inking surface upside down, so the pad surface stays moist!
• Are available in all colours, including our exclusive In Colours!

So, if there are some colours you would like to purchase in the current ink pad style you can stretch your dollar further.  This includes ink spots and the already discounted ink set bundles. Also note, most of our Stampin' Write markers will NOT be able to be purchased individually after Aug 30th (just full sets), so grab the colours you want now.

In order to have the best opportunity to order your items before they sell out, all orders up to $120 will be shipped directly to you for a flat rate of $5.95.  Orders above $120 will be 5% shipping.  Any items out of stock at the time of ordering will not be charged for.

Feel free to email ME if you would like more information on the upcoming changes and to place your orders.