Actually, the sentiment is meant to be anything but humorous. However, today’s project is for my husband, one of the funniest valentines I know. Even though the sentiment feels a bit corny for our typical dialogue, I wanted to give him this card to express how much my daughter and I adore him.
The layout is inspired by Splitcoast Sketch Challenge SC163. I began with a Real Red Base (5.25 x 5.25). I then added a layer of Real Red Designer Series Paper. I used Stampin’ Up!’s Always set to add the little Basic Gray stems to Very Vanilla card stock. Basic Gray has become my "new" black. I enjoy that it has the crispness I want but a tad softer than black. I matted the stems on Basic Gray card stock.
I next grabbed my Tres Chic Background and inked it up in Basic Gray. TIP: The key to getting a good impression with a background stamp is flipping the stamp rubber side up so that you can be sure you are inking it evenly. Carefully line up and lay your card stock on top of the stamp. Layer a piece of scratch paper on top of the card stock and either use your hand or a brayer to rub the entire area (like an iron). I keep one hand holding the image firmly still (you don’t want it to slip) and the other to do the rubbing. Be sure to rub all the way to the edges if you are going to use the entire background. This has become a "no fail" method for me in getting great coverage. I repeated this same process with my Sanded Background (note the change to a lighter color (Going Gray) to keep this look soft). This is a quick and easy vintage look. I decided to focus on the words "family" and "memories" and clipped the image down to those words. This section is matted on Basic Gray and Real Red card stock.
Twill tape seemed more masculine for an accent and the color coordinates well with the Very Vanilla card stock. I stamped the sentiment directly on the twill tape. TIP: I used Basic Black after trying Basic Gray and feeling the gray was too light. The final touch was the Always heart. It is simply a combination of Versamark, Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool and a little cutting magic. It’s mounted on Stampin’ Dimensionals for some 3-D "love."
Hugs and Happy Valentine’s Day . . . . Mary
Stamp Sets: Always (111141), Tres Chic Background (109238), Sanded Background (109294)
Paper: Real Red (102482), Very Vanilla (101650), Basic Gray (108692), Real Red Designer Series (retired)
Ink: Basic Gray (109120), Going Gray (103274), Basic Black (101179), Versamark (102283)
Cool Tools: Heat Tool (100005)
Perfect Touches: Black Embossing Powder (109133), Twill Tape (105245), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)
My Marker Madness Sale continues through Saturday, February 16.
Earn Free Sale-A-Bration Stamps every $50 you spend. Now through March 17.
Coming Soon: More Retired Stamps for Sale and Clearance 🙂
Very pretty !
Very nice. I’m always on the lookout for cards without bling and/or ribbon. There are men in my life who don’t do bling and/or ribbon. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful card, lucky guy. Good tips on using the “big momma” stamps, as I call them. 🙂
This is a beautiful card! The colors are gorgeous and everything is placed perfectly.
Just beautiful.