Category Archives: Stampin Blends

Timeless Tropical

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Welcome to another BS & J Productions’ Stamp Off Challenge.  This time our challenge is to use our Stampin’ Blends. When I saw this challenge I looked through my current stamp sets and could not find an image I wanted to color.  I struggle with coloring because I have no eye for light and shadows and all those things that go into doing it well.  After not really finding an image I could pretend to color well, I decided to think of something different.  I decided to use my Blends to make a background instead.

Stampin Up Timeless Tropical

The first thing I did was randomly pull a bunch of different colors out of my Blends holder.  I really did not know what I was going to do but after pulling some of them out, I decided the colors I chose (Pale Papaya, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party and Bermuda Bay) looked like colors of a beautiful sunset on the water.  So then I looked through my stamp sets again and decided on using the Timeless Tropical Bundle.  This bundle includes the Timeless Tropical stamp set and the coordinating die set called In The Tropics.  I added more colors (Pumpkin Pie for the sunset, Cinnamon Cider and Soft Suede for sand.  Then I just took each light and dark color and drew lines across a piece of Basic White card stock.

After that I used my Stampin Write Markers to color the palm tree stamps in Cinnamon Cider and Garden Green.  I stamped them twice and cut them out using the coordinating die.  I adhered one of them using Multipurpose Glue and the other using Dimensionals.  Lastly I stamped the sentiment from the stamp set called Sweet Ice Cream in Memento Black ink.  I used a Coastal Cabana card base.

Now let’s go see what beautiful creation Buffy and Jackie made using Blends.  They are both really good at coloring so I am sure they will be gorgeous.


Product List

Timeless Tropical Cling Stamp Set (English)

$23.00

In The Tropics Dies

$35.00

Sweet Ice Cream Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

$17.00

Pale Papaya Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Pool Party Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Bermuda Bay Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Cinnamon Cider Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Soft Suede Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00


 

Adding Color To Die Cuts With Blends

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Stampin Up Forever Flourishing

Jackie (of BS & J Productions fame) shared a video with me showing how you can add color to die cuts to make them look beautiful.  I decided I loved the way the die cuts came out so I wanted to make a card using this technique.  It is a very easy and fast way to add color to your die cuts. You could use Stampin’ Up!® Write Markers or Stampin’ Up!® Blends.

The firs thing I did was to cut the leaves using a die from the set called Forever Flourishing in Basic White card stock.  I used Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie and Cinnamon Cider Light and Dark Stampin’ Up!® Blends to add the color.  I basically just dabbed each color randomly on the front and the back of the die cut.  I started with the lightest color and worked to the darkest.  I started with the Light Daffodil Delight and then added the Dark Daffodil Delight.

Stampin Up Forever Fern

Then I used the Light and Dark Pumpkin Pie.

After that I added Cajun Craze and a little Cinnamon Cider around the edges.  I then took the Light Daffodil Delight and blended all the colors together to smooth them out a bit.  I kept doing this until I was happy with the colors.

After that I layered it on top of a piece of Basic White card stock that I had cut out using a die from Nature’s Thoughts using Multipurpose Glue.  I adhered that to a larger piece of Cajun Craze card stock.  I used a Basic White card base and ran the front of it through my Cut ‘N Emboss machine using the Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder.  I added the sentiment (Pinkfresh) using Stampin’ Up!® Dimensionals.  Lastly I added some Sequins For Everything.

Product List

Forever Flourishing Dies

$36.00

Nature's Thoughts Dies

$29.00

Tasteful Textile 3 D Embossing Folder

$9.00

Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Cajun Craze Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Cinnamon Cider Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Sequins For Everything

$12.00

Floating Strips

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Stampin Up Floating Strips

Last week I had a stamp camp at my cottage.  This was one of the cards we made.  It is called the Floating Strips technique.  I saw it on the website called Splitcoaststampers and decided I wanted to try to make it and then thought why not make it at our monthly stamp meeting.  It is very easy to so and you can get the directions right on the Splitcoaststampers website under the Tutorials tab.

To make this card I first cut a circle using the Layering Circle dies out of a Window Sheet.  I used the largest circle die to do this which I think is about 3″.  Then I cut strips of paper using Pattern Party Designer Series Paper.  This paper can only be purchased as a Hostess Set but it is the best DSP for the price.  There are 48 sheets in this pack.  One side has bright colors and designs and the other side is all black and white designs.  I cut one 1/2″ strip of the Crushed Curry DSP, two 3/8″ strips each of the Misty Moonlight and Granny Apple Green designs.  I adhered this strips to the Circle of Window Sheet using Multipurpose Glue.  I let that dry and them cut off the excess DSP that was around the circle.

After this I cut a piece of Basic White card stock using a  die from the Penned Flowers set and adhered that to the top of the circle.  Then I used Foam Adhesive Strips on the back of the circle making sure I placed them behind the Designer Series Paper so you could not see them.  I then layered that onto a Basic White card base.  I stamped the sentiment in Misty Moonlight ink and added a few of the Elegant Faceted Gems.  I decided to color one of the gems using my Misty Moonlight Dark Blends so you could see it better.

 

Product List

Hand Penned Petals Bundle (English)

$46.75

Window Sheets

$5.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

$4.00

Foam Adhesive Strips

$8.00

Pattern Party 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Host Designer Series Paper

$18.00

Elegant Faceted Gems

$7.50

Misty Moonlight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

 

 

Best Year

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During the month of February, Rob and I went to Florida for the entire month.  It was heavenly to have warm weather and sunshine almost every day.  The only bad part was I did not bring any of my stamping products.  The time share we stayed in only has one table and Rob is working from home so he needed it.  Therefore, I didn’t really have a place to stamp.  This meant that during the month of January I had to make, photograph and write posts for all of February and the first week of March as well as make my normal January posts.  As you can imagine, my cards had to be simple and my posts short.

This was the original card I was going to use for our Stampin Blends Stamp Off Challenge a couple of weeks ago but I decided that, although it is pretty, it was not Stamp Off Challenge worthy.

To make this card, I took a piece of the black and white True Love Designer Series Paper and instead of coloring the flowers, I colored the background using my dark Highland Heather Stampin Blends.  It is much easier to use the Blends than the Markers because the Blends don’t know coloring lines as much as the Markers.  It did take a bit of time to color the background because you have to be careful not to get too close to the flowers because the ink might blend into them.

I stamped the sentiment from the stamp set called Best Years  in Highland Heather ink and cut it out using a die from Hippo & Friends.  Then I took an epoxy heart and colored that using the dark Pool Party Blends.  I wrapped a piece of Gorgeous Grape Sheer Ribbon and the Designer Series Paper and then put the cut out sentiment over it using Stampin Dimensionals.

 

Product List

Best Year Cling Stamp Set (English)

$20.00

True Love Designer Series Paper

$11.50

3/8" (1 Cm) Gorgeous Grape Sheer Ribbon

$7.00

Highland Heather Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Pool Party Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.00

An Alcohol Ink Technique Using Blends

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Hello everyone.  Welcome to another Stamp off Challenge with Buffy, Jackie and me.  This time our challenge is to use our Stampin’ Blends.  This was an easy challenge because I use my Blends all the time.  They are so easy to use and to color with.  Each color comes in two shades, a light one and a dark one.  This enables you to easily add shading to your images.

I have to say I had a different card all ready to post for today but after a conversation with Buffy and Jackie yesterday, I decided I needed to up my game so I did a little searching around on the internet for different uses for Stampin Blends.  I came across a blog by another Stampin’ Up!® Demonstrator named Alisha Tilsner who used her Blends to make an alcohol ink background.

Stampin Up Blends

It is very easy to make this background using your Stampin Blends with Isopropyl Alcohol, a paintbrush and some kind of air spritzer or something you can use to blow around some air.  You need to use Isopropyl alcohol with a very high percentage of alcohol in it in order for this technique to work.  I used 91%.  Anything lower will not work.   You also need some kind of smooth paper that doesn’t absorb a lot of moisture.  I decided to use Vellum.

The first thing I did was scribble some Blends ink onto the Vellum.  I used Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight and Granny Apple Green Dark Blends.  The color of the Dark Blends show up much better than the light ones. I did one color at a time before adding a second color but I scribbled each one as in the photo.

Stampin Up Wreath Builder

Then I used a paint brush with some Isopropyl Alcohol on it and dabbed it around the outside of the scribble.

Then I used an ear cleaner bulb (you can use a spritzer or something like that) and blew air onto the alcohol and ink to move it around.

I did this until the entire piece of Vellum was covered with ink.

After my piece of Vellum was completely dry, I attached it to a piece of Basic White cardstock using Glue Dots in the corners and underneath where the banner is.  You can’t see the glue dots as much as you can Seal Adhesive or something similar.  The colors show up much better when you use a white background.   I attached that to a Bermuda Bay card base.

Then I cut the wreath out of Basic White cardstock using the Wreath Builder Dies.  I cut out the letters using the PlayFul Alphabet Dies and adhered them to a piece of Bermuda Bay cardstock.

Now let’s go see how Jackie and Buffy used their Stampin’ Blends.  I am sure you will love whatever they have made. 

Product List

Wreath Builder Dies

$38.00

Playful Alphabet Dies

$34.00

Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Bermuda Bay Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Mini Glue Dots

$5.25

Blends & Designer Series Paper

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One of the things I love about the Stampin’ Blends is that you can use them to color images that you stamp.  Every color comes with a light and dark pen so you can show depth in your images.  Another thing I love about them is that you can color Designer Series Paper.

For example, I took my Real Red Light and Dark Stampin’ Blends and colored this Magnolia Lane Designer Series Paper

and turned it into this:

It totally changes the look of the paper and was so simple to do.  Then all I did was cut the words out using the Word Wishes dies with Whisper White Paper and adhered them to the Designer Series Paper.  You can’t see it in the photo but I put a little Wink Of Stella on the words which make them sparkle just a bit.

You can purchase the Magnolia Designer Series Paper two different ways.  They have the usual pack that contains two of six  double sided designs for a total of 12 sheets or you can purchase the Designer Series Paper in bulk which contains 10 each of 2 double sided designs for a total of 12 sheets.

 

Product List

Word Wishes Dies

Magnolia Lane Designer Series Paper

Magnolia Lane Bulk Designer Series Paper

Real Red Combo Pack Stampin' Blends

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

Free As a Bird

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As most of you know, I live in the Northeast and right now we are being invaded by Robins.  I have never seen so many Robins before!  They are everywhere.  I know most people love having birds nest around their house but these Robins have gotten out of control.  They tried to build a nest on my outside lights (multiple places), my front door wreath, my deck and right over where I park my car.  Robins are cute (sort of) but they are also very, very messy.  I am not a fan.

I actually made this card a couple of months ago and never posted it.  It was before the mess started, back when I liked Robins and thought it would be cute to make a Robin card.

The cardstock colors I used on this card are Mossy Meadow, Cajun Craze and Whisper White.  I first stamped the bird and the branch from the stamp set Free As A Bird in Memento Black Ink and colored them using my Cajun Craze, Mossy Meadow and Light Basic Black Stampin’ Blends.  I stamped the sentiment in Memento Black ink too.  Then I stamped the flowers on a separate sheet of Whisper White cardstock and cut them out by hand (don’t look too closely) and colored them with a Dark Petal Pink Blend.

This stamp set has matching dies called Stitched Nested Labels Dies.  I think these dies are one of my favorites from the entire catalog.  You can save 10% by purchasing this stamp set and dies in a Bundle.  I cut out the entire image using one of the Stitched Nested Label Dies.  Then I cut a larger one out of Cajun Craze cardstock and then again out of the 4″x 5.25″ piece of Mossy Meadow cardstock.  The dies cut the inside of the image but also cut pierce the outside.  I love that part! Here is a close up where you can see I used the inside pieces for Whisper White and Cajun craze but used the outside piece for the Mossy Meadow.

Lastly I added the flowers using Dimensionals.

I probably should have used embossing paste along the bottom of the card to simulate the mess on my car, wreath and decks!

Don’t forget it is Bonus Days.  For every $50 you spend during the month of July you earn a $5 coupon towards your August purchases.  There is no limit as to how many coupons you can earn!

Join my team during the month of July & August and get an extra $30 in products of your choice in your starter kit.  For $99 you get to pick $155 worth of products!  Then you will also receive a $10 coupon code you can spend during the month of August. Plus you will able to get at least 20% all future orders!  Click on the Join Now button to the right of this post!

Product List

Free As A Bird Bundle

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

Basic Black Combo Pack Stampin' Blends

Cajun Craze Combo Pack Stampin' Blends

Mossy Meadow Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

Fable Friends

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If you have been following my blog for a while you know that I am not a big cutesy stamp person.  I do think those kinds of stamp sets are cute, they are just not what I buy.  So what happens?  The most amazing, beautiful, handsome and smart grandchildren come along.  My wonderful daughter in law asked me to make Valentines for them and I look around and have very few cute, kid sets.  All I had was retired dinosaurs and elephants.  Well, I decided this just would not do.  What will happen when they get a little older, come to visit and want to stamp with me?  So, now I am buying some sets with them in mind.

Fable Friends is one of these sets.  It is cute.  The bunny is adorable.  Even thought the squirrel is a , um, squirrel, it is also cute.  Look at these ducks.  They are so sweet!

To make this card I first stamped the ducks in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and then colored them using my Granny Apple Green, Night Of Navy, Daffodil Delight, Flirty Flamingo, Balmy Blue and Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Blends.  The grass is from the stamp set called High Tide and the sentiment is from Life Is Grand, a stamp set in the 2019 Occasions Catalog.  The Designer Series Paper is Gala Gingham.

Product List

Fable Friends Cling Stamp Set

$22.00

Life Is Grand Cling Stamp Set

$20.00

High Tide Photopolymer Stamp Set

$26.00

Gingham Gala 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$11.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

$6.00

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

$9.00

Night Of Navy Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

$9.00

Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

$9.00

Flirty Flamingo Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

$9.00

Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

$9.00

Home To Roost

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I made this card after seeing a few cards my friend, Buffy made using this stamp set.  It is one of the free sets you can get with a qualifying order during Sale-a-bration.  It is called Home To Roost.  I am not a very good colorer and I usually shy away from animal stamp sets but I thought it one was kind of cute.  I have had it for a while but didn’t take it out until Buffy motivated me.

The colors I used on this card are Cherry Cobbler, Mango Melody, Very Vanilla and Night of Navy.  I stamped the rooster and the sentiment in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and then colored the rooster using my Stampin’  Blends.  Truly the only way I can halfway color is to use the Blends.  They make it so easy because they are alcohol markers so they don’t streak and blend well together.  Then I stamped the grass on a piece of Mango Melody cardstock and layered everything together.  It is quick and easy card to make and perfect for a beginner stampers.

Don’t forget it is Sale-a-bration time until March 31st!  You can earn FREE merchandise with a qualifying purchase, get an extra $25 in Hostess Benefits with a $250 single or group order or join my Stampin Up! family and get a $175 worth of products for $99  or get the Carry & Craft Tote and $175 worth of products for $129!

Product List

Night Of Navy Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

$9.00

Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

$9.00

Mango Melody Combo Pack Stampin' Blends

$9.00

Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

$9.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

$6.00

Home To Roost Cling Stamp Set

$0.00

Amazing Life

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Amazing Life is a stamp set that is in the 2019 Occasions Catalog.  I actually received it for free when I attended OnStage last November.  Only Demonstrators can attend OnStage.  If you are interested in finding out more about this, just send me an email.  I would be happy to explain it to you.

In any case, Amazing Life is bundled in the catalog with the Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies.  I have mentioned before (many times) that the dies are my favorite product in this catalog.  If you buy anything, you have to buy these.  If you buy the stamp set and the dies in a bundle you can save 10%!

To make this card I first stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Whisper White cardstock.  Then I colored the word “happy” with my Mint Macaron Stampin’ Blends. I colored the top of the letters in the Light Mint Macaron Blend and the bottom of each letter using the Dark Blend.  Then I stamped the image again onto Balmy Blue cardstock and cut out the banner and layered it on top of the first image using Mini Dimensionals.

After this I stamped three sets of flowers and colored them using the Mint Macaron and the Balmy Blue Blends and cut them out by hand.  I took a piece of the Gingham Gala Designer Series Paper and cut out the frame using two of the Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies.  If you look closely in the picture you can see the stitching on the inside and outside of the frame.

The best thing of all?  You can earn a free item from the Sale-a-bration Catalog if you buy the Amazing Life stamp set and the Rectangle Stitched Framelits in a Bundle!

Product List

Amazing Life Photopolymer Bundle

$50.25

Gingham Gala 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$11.00

Mint Macaron Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

$9.00

Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

$6.00

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.00

Paper Snips Scissors

$10.00