Oct 04 2007
One More For Christmas and A Note About Clear Stamps
I’ve made a rather quiet card today using one of the smaller images in Flourishes’ Rejoice set which is due to be released this month. Have you visited the Flourishes Blog yet? You can view this entire set there if you scroll down just a tiny bit. In addition to two large main images there are smaller stamps for trim and several words and sentiments in a variety of beautiful fonts. The entire set has enormous appeal for anyone who loves an elegant, flourished image. I sometimes wonder about the split in my personality that has me swooning over a stamp set like this while I can turn right around and be equally smitten by something that’s all fun and whimsey. I guess it’s true that variety is the spice of life.
This sentiment with its scrolled borders is a single stamp, clear and so easy to position. I love the way Flourishes’ newest Christmas stamps combine so beautifully with several of the patterns in Stampin’ Up!’s Holiday Harmony designer papers or their Baroque Backgrounds papers or many of the other gorgeous papers on the market today. The white I used is another piece from my Wal-Mart all white paper pack. The decorative corner punch is one I’ve had for a long time. It was purchased locally and says Family Treasures on it, but I have no idea if it’s still produced. The scrumptious May Arts satin ribbon is available here at Flourishes.
A note about using clear stamps: I’ve been asked about the best way to get quality images from clear stamps. I like to condition my stamps as described in my post here. The stamp I used on this card was conditioned in this manner — rubbed with an eraser and then cleaned with ordinary cleaner and my stamp scrubber. I used SU! classic ink on this card and it stamped flawlessly. Pigment inks (those that can be embossed) or hybrid inks (such as Color Box Fluid Chalk inks) produce excellent results even without conditioning.
As I mentioned in the post I linked, a cushion under the stamp is essential. I use a generously sized mat of craft foam that I cut for this purpose. I place it on my work surface under my paper before stamping. As with any stamp, whether clear or rubber, an evenly distributed pressure is required for a good image. The foam mat helps to absorb the pressure more evenly without smooshing the stamp and fattening the lines of the image. Also, you can look through the clear block on which the stamp is mounted and see the contact of the stamp with the paper. This view enables you to better judge when the pressure is even. Armed with a little information and the benefit of a few practice tries clear stamps can be a pleasure to work with.
Well, that’s it for today! I managed more stamping this week than I expected. We’ll now see what the weekend brings. Have a happy Friday!
Stamps: Rejoice
Paper: Purely Pomegranate, River Rock, white from Wal-Mart paper pack, SU! Holiday Harmony double sided designer paper
Ink: Purely Pomegranate
Accessories: May Arts satin ribbon, decorative corner punch, small corner rounder, Scotch brand dimensional mounting tape
Quiet but oh so elegant. That corner punch is beautiful. And I just love the ribbon.
Beautiful and classy! Love the colors, layout, design, everything, Girlfriend!!!
Gorgeous!
Beautiful card Leslie, as always! Thanks for the acrylic stamp info also.
Absolutely gorgeous!!!
Love your card…it is just beautiful! Thanks so much for the tips on using clear stamps. I have so been having problems getting them to come out crisp. My black always comes out grey! I will give this a try now! Thanks again.
Very Elegant. So simple but Beautiful. Thanks for the tip for using clear Stamps. This is News to me. I will be conditioning my “Hanna’s” before I stamp with them. The colours are very pretty as well.
T H A T is so pretty! Love it!
I absolutely love this card! It is so simple and stunning! Gorgeous!
Gorgeous card! Your ribbon is fabulous! Deb
That big satin ribbon is the perfect touch!
Gorgeou!!
Wow, this is stunning. Love these stamps and the ribbon is to die for. Well, you know what I mean!! LOL
I love how elegant your card turned out and the ribbon is the perfect finishing touch! Thanks for taking the time to go over the how’s of the clear stamps!
Beautiful, Leslie! I love the colors, those pretty punched corners, and beautiful satin ribbon! Your cards are always so inspiring! Thank you for sharing all you do!!
Leslie, Your card is just beautiful! Thanks for the helpful information on the inks and conditioning your stamps, very helpful. Have a great weekend, Jennifer
A beautifully elegant card. I love the swirly sentiment and stunning ribbon. TFS your card and clear stamp tips.
Leslie, it’s so elegant and beautiful. The textured white makes all the difference.
Oh, that luscious ribbon was not on their site the last time I checked — so glad it is!!! I love this card!!! That Merry Chrismtas image with that lovely border is one of my favorite stamps in that set, though I have yet to use it!!! It looks just wonderful on this pretty card!!! And that Wal-Mart white looks textured? Have I missed something? Gorgeous work!!! Love it!!!
LOVE these colors and that yummy May Arts ribbon!! I get mine from Lindsey, since she’s “my dealer” LOL!!!
Simply beautiful!
What a great design to showcase that sentiment stamp! The wide satin ribbon adds a LOT of elegance. Thanks for all the advice on using the clear stamps. I’m still learning. This is one of those cards that I can’t see the first part of the description because it’s hidden behind the photo, no matter how I view it on my screen. Linda
Simple yet oh so elegant. Great use of that large satin ribbon, it really works with this card, not at all overpowering.
Simply beautiful!
Linda