Nov 11 2007
Sidekick Christmas
Here’s another one of my stamps seeing ink for the first time — one of the Sidekick Sayings, a Stampin’ Up! Level 1 hostess set. That’s two stamps down from this set, one to go. Gosh, surely I can use these stamps more than one time each. One of the reasons I hang on to stamps for so long is that I tend to reach for whatever pops into my head. An idea forms, I think about it as I go about my non-stamping business, and I eventually have time to put it down on paper. That doesn’t necessarily involve my most recent stamp purchase. I’m making an effort to do a little better in that regard but in many cases those uninked stamps may be several years old. Yes, I agree — shame on me!
The images from this set are not breathtaking or even exceptionally cute. They are quick and easy to work with, though, and I do love a funky little Christmas tree like this. There are dress up possibilities with any stamp, no matter how simple, so that’s what I did here. Unfortunately, most of the dressing up is not apparent in the photo because it involves sparkle and you know how hard that is to photograph without compromising other aspects of the design. To get sparkle to show up in a photo it needs a light to shine straight onto the card front which then eliminates the shadow cast by a dimensional piece. The only way to get the shadow is to have the brighter or closer light shining from the side. It’s a catch-22. With a lot of fiddling with the lights and positions, numerous photographs and trips to the computer to check the results and, needless to say, plenty of time on your hands it’s possible to show both sparkle and dimension. It’s darn hard, though! Well…it’s hard for an amateur like me.
This image is stamped in Basic Brown and colored with markers. See the teeny tiny ornaments on the tree? Those are the smallest stickers known to Man and how I got them on there is a mystery to me. They’re amazing in real life, though. I wish you could see them in person. Oh, my goodness, it’s as though they’re lit from within! Furthermore, I wish I knew what they’re called because I’d love to have more of them. The prismatic sparkle is beyond belief for something so small and flat. There are varying sizes on a sheet and wouldn’t you know I’d need the smallest ones for this card. They were a gift from a friend. As soon as I find out what they are I’ll let you know.
If you look real closely you can see a tiny glint of sparkle on the star. That comes from the Copic Spica glitter pen. Mine is clear but they’re available in several colors. These pens have a quality unlike other glitter pens. They lay down a very fine line of the most delicate fairy dust sparkle. It catches you unawares just as you’re about to set the card aside; an effect so ethereal it’s almost mesmerizing. But then, perhaps you know I have a fascination for sparkle these days… I was so enchanted with the pen I wanted to touch up everything in sight — so I traced over the words, too. That accounts for the appearance in the photo of the words being unevenly inked. It’s actually the reflection of the Spica sparkle.
The papers, by the way, are last year’s Stampin’ Up! Christmas papers, which became this year’s Wintergreen collection — same patterns, new colors. I like the new colors better but, darn, I’ve got almost a whole pack left from last year — surprising discipline on my part.
Well, guess I felt a little chatty today. That’s what comes from a rejuvenating day outdoors. I hope you had a fine day, as well. Happy stamping to all!
Stamps: Sidekick Sayings
Paper: Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, SU! DP (retired)
Ink: Basic Brown, markers: Old Olive, Summer Sun, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Ribbon, brads, Copic Spica glitter pen, fascinating little prism stickers, Scotch brand dimensional mounting tape
Oooh, super cute card! I am seriously needing one of those Spica pens now, and I hope you figure out what the stickers are because they sound awesome! Funny you like this year’s SU paper better - I love the colors this year, but not as much as I loved it with last year’s In Colors. I wish I had your “discipline”, mine is all gone. One of the few things I didn’t hoard!
This is so pretty! I wish I could see all that sparkle, but I know how it is trying to get it to show in a photograph ( I’m much more of an amateur than you). I love the papers as well as the beautiful ribbon! I had to laugh when you said you wanted to use your Spica pen on everything. I find myself doing the same thing. I love it!
Love the stamp, love the paper and the bow! Great card! Deb
I love this card. The papers are so cute, and the tree is perfect. Great job.
You really have no idea how much I love looking on my Google Reader and seeing that I have an updated “chat” from your blog. Your conversations are wonderful to read. I love your card - so much color and texture. I also love the layout - if you don’t mind I’d like to borrow it for some cards in the future. I’ve got one of those Copic sparkle pens on my next order from Ellen. Thank you for taking the time to share so caringly with us.
Love the way you take a simple stamp and turn it into a WOW! card!
Love this card — a warm, country cabin-ish type of feel!!! Thanks for the tutorial on how to capture sparkle in photos — I still fuss so much with photos and often don’t get the result I am after — a never-ending learning process!!! I often settle for *good enough* as I’d really rather stamp than photograph — LOL!!! Thanks, too, for the chit chat on the Spica pen — I’ve seen them being used a lot — so much out there — hard to keep on top of it all — appreciate it!!!
Love, love, love this layout! The card is wonderful, Leslie!
This is a fabulous design using last year’s paper, and you’ve definitely dressed up this stamp! That ribbon is the “frosting” on this card. As far as the identity of those fun little stickers, they are Class A’Peel Dot Sparkler Stickers (Silver), by Stampendous. I bought mine at Archiver’s, but they are supposed to be available at Michael’s too: http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=pc1151&channelid= Linda
Good thing that those tiny ornaments are self adhesive. Can you imagine trying to put something sticky onto the backs of one of those little buggers?! I love those things (made my Stampendous)…I actually have two different colors of them. They REQUIRE tweezers…lol Fabulous card and love the older designer paper…just brought out some of it that I had this weekend.
Love the touch of yellow brads and star and your herringbone ribbon. Add that to your beautiful main image and layers of DP and you have another WOW card! TFS
Leslie ~ I am, by far, one of your very biggest fans. Your artwork is terrific and when I see my email “Running With Scissors” I cannot wait to open it up and see what else you have come up with. As usual, you have done it again. Love your work!!!
This card is just stunning! I love all the layers and colours and textures! It’s just amazing!
These papers look amazing together. I love the stamp and the bow. Great job with this card Leslie.
Leslie this is absolutely MARVELOUS! My jaw dropped when I first saw it. I think this is one of the most impressive layouts I’ve seen in a long long time! I may have to borrow it - WOW!
Cute!! Great layout and I love that wide checked ribbon!
I love this card… What great ideas you have..
Love the papers, neat tree stamp!
Lovely card! I always love seeing the stuff you come up with. I had to laughe when I saw that paper though, I thought I was the only one who hoarded papers from year to year
I love what you’ve done with this simple stamp and “last year’s” paper. I can’t keep up either, by the time I get this year’s, it’ll be last year’s! I do leave a pile of unused stamps on my table until I get ink on them, then it’s okay to put them away.
I love this card. I love how you layered the main image. It makes it appear wider and less long and skinny than it can sometimes look. Very very nice!
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