Oops, sorry I’m late but I got rather distracted and instead of creating one card for today’s post I made three! I started out with no idea what I was going to make and reached for the nearest thing on my desk. This just happened to be the newest all-inclusive stamping kit from Stampin’ Up! called “Best Remedy”. Although there’s full instructions and all the prepared pieces to make 9 cards with envelopes (3 each of 3 different designs), I decided to improvise, and once I got going I couldn’t stop.

BEST REMEDY IS ICE CREAM

I began by taking one of everything from the Best Remedy Kit. If I’d followed the instructions included in the box this would make 3 cards with envelopes. However I set the instructions aside and just began to play.

The printed mouse immediately caught my eye and so did the pink (Polished Pink) embossed panel that matched his nose. I also picked up the dark (Starry Sky) embossed panel to add some bold contrast. Then using my Paper Trimmer I cut 1-1/2″ off the Polished Pink piece making it 3″ x 3-1/4″. I put the little off-cut aside, and then trimmed the Starry Sky piece to 2″ x 4-1/4″.

Now I needed a card base, and from the three colours I decided on the pale blue (Pool Party) one. I folded the card along the pre-scored line and opted to sharpen the crease with my Bone Folder. Then from the see-through photopolymer stamp set in the kit I chose the small image of an ice cream tub. After finding the acrylic block in the box I mounted the sentiment onto it and gently tapped the Starry Sky ink spot onto the surface. Then on the inside of the card I stamped the image in the bottom corner.

Although I could have used the glue dots included in the kit, I decided to use my Multipurpose Liquid Adhesive to attach the cut pieces to the card base. First I fixed the larger Starry Sky piece across the bottom of the card front. Then I added the Polished Pink piece above it leaving an even border at the top and sides.

Next, I chose the “Ice cream is the best remedy” sentiment stamp from the kit. Then after inking it up using the Starry Sky ink spot I stamped the sentiment onto the square white label.

With everything prepared I put some Stampin’ Dimensionals (adhesive foam pads) from the kit onto the back of the sentiment label and mouse. Then I removed the protective backing from the Dimensionals and attached the two pieces to the card front. Finally I added a few of the adhesive backed sequins around the mouse and my first alternative card design was complete.

A LITTLE BIRDIE

My next card design started with the small piece of embossed Polished Pink card left over from my first card. After folding the green (Granny Apple Green) card base along the pre-scored line I sharpened the crease as before. Then with liquid glue I attached the Polished Pink piece with the long edge lined up against the bottom of the gingham panel printed on the card.

Next, from the included stamp set I chose “A little birdie told me you were under the weather”. Using Starry Sky ink I stamped this onto the widest sentiment label from the kit. Then I added the sentiment to the Polished Pink layer using Stampin’ Dimensionals. After that I added the printed die-cut bird using more Stampin’ Dimensionals. Finally, like the first one, I finished off the front of this card with some of the adhesive backed sequins.

On the inside of the card base I stamped a small ice bag image to coordinate with the one on the bird’s head. Card number 2 was complete.

LIFE STINKS

If design number 2 was quick, my final one was even faster. I began by stamping “Sorry life stinks sometimes” in the top right section of the blue die-cut heart. Then I folded the candy-striped card base and attached the heart to the front using Stampin’ Dimensionals. On top of that I used more Stampin’ Dimensionals to add the printed skunk piece.

TIP – Where the skunk extended past the edge of the heat layer I stacked the Stampin’ Dimensionals two high. This ensured that the top layer was level.

Instead of sequins, this time I took three adhesive backed flowers and placed them like a garland on the skunk’s head. Finally on the inside of the card base I stamped the small vase of flowers image. And just like that card number three was done!

In next to no time I had three completely new card designs without using any other materials from my stash. I just had to match each card with an envelope from the kit using the colours of the flap as a guide. What’s most surprising though was that I still had pieces left over from the 1/3 of the kit I’d taken from the box when I started. Now that’s what I call getting my money’s worth.

So what do you think, are you tempted to get this kit just to see what you can do with it? I hope I’ve shown you that it’s great for brand new stampers and more experienced ones too.

PRODUCT LIST

The Best Remedy Kit can’t be found in any Stampin’ Up! catalogue. However to order simply click this link to go straight to the kit in my online store. Just a note though, this link will only work while the kits are in stock. Once they sell out you will be automatically redirected to the main page of my online store.

While the Best Remedy kit contains everything you need to make the 9 cards with envelopes including an acrylic block, mini ink spot and adhesives, here are a few optional extras you might want to have…