After yesterday’s difficult morning things definitely improved. Right now I’m trying to do a major declutter and reorganisation of my craft studio. It’s well overdue but a good use of my time while in quarantine. I did stop just long enough though to make this simple project for a friend using the new Bamboo Beauty Stamp Set.

SIMPLE BAMBOO
The Bamboo Beauty Stamp Set has two tall bamboo stems and two leaf images, plus some lovely sentiments. I began with the thicker stem and first tried it on some scrap paper using Garden Green ink. Something about it wasn’t right, so I tried Old Olive ink instead. That was much better and I was glad I’d done a quick test stamp first.
Next I cut a 2″ x 5-3/4″ piece of Shimmery White Card and stamped the stem at a slight angle. Then I chose the larger of the two leafy images and stamped that beside it.
While I wanted this panel to be simple I did think it needed more than just the stamped images. So I pulled out a Blending Brush and a Pool Party ink pad. Then I held a piece of scrap paper against the edge of the bamboo stem as I added a light touch of ink around it. That was just what it needed.
So with the panel complete I then turned to the sentiment. I chose “A true friend is the one who holds your hand and touches your heart”. Then using Tuxedo Black ink I stamped it onto a 1-1/4″ x 2-5/8″ piece of Shimmery White Card. In no time at all I was ready to start putting the project together.
QUICK POCKET ALBUM
Some time ago I found some pocket photo albums in the Dollar Store. They were very uninspiring but I love creating new covers for them.
After removing the original front and back covers I checked their dimensions; 4-5/8″ x 6-1/8″. Then I cut two pieces of Pool Party Card exactly the same size. I slipped one of the pieces straight into the back cover pocket, before thinking about the layout for the front cover.
In the end I decided to use Old Olive Card to coordinate with the stamped pieces. I cut two pieces, one 2-1/8″ x 5-7/8″ and one 1-3/8″ x 2-3/4″. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I mounted the stamped pieces onto them.
Next I used liquid glue to fix the larger panel to the left side of my front cover piece. That just left the sentiment to attach.

As I was testing where to place the sentiment I realised that it would have to go partially over the layered bamboo piece. That meant that the left side would be sitting on two layers of card. So to keep everything even I glued two small scrap pieces of Old Olive Card to the back of the sentiment, just under the right side. Now I could attach the sentiment and it would be level.
With this final piece in place I slipped the assembled layers into the front pocket of the album and this week’s simple Sunday project was complete.

Now all I need to do is find some appropriate 4″ x 6″ photographs to fill it.
Whatever you have planned for today, I hope you’re able to find time to do something you love. Until tomorrow, take care.
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