Yesterday I showed you a sneak peek from the Stampin’ Up! 2018 Holiday Catalogue, the Santa’s Workshop Suite.  Today I have another sneak peek for you but this is a product you’ll want to use all year round.  It’s a new background stamp called Buffalo Check.

I knew as soon as I saw this stamp that I would be on my Demonstrator pre-order.  I mean, this bold check is so versatile.  I can see it as a pretty gingham and as a background for Christmas cards.  Today though I went with a masculine feel and made an anniversary card.

COLOUR INSPIRATION

My colours for today’s project were inspired by the CAS Colours and Sketches challenge.  This week the colour challenge is to use Mango Melody, Merry Merlot and Poppy Parade.  I went with the obvious today and pulled out the leaf image from the Blended Seasons Stamp Set.  Blended Seasons is only available while stocks last in August and I really want to get the most from it.

Using StazOn Jet Black ink I stamped the leaves onto a piece of Watercolor Paper.  Then using an Aqua Painter I gave all the leaves a wash of Mango Melody ink.  Once that layer was dry I added more Mango Melody, Poppy Parade and Merry Merlot to complete the image.

BUFFALO CHECK BACKGROUND

Now it was time to create my background.  I decided on Mango Melody Card with the Buffalo Check image stamped in Merry Merlot.  I used my Stamparatus for this so that I could get a good image without dropping the large stamp.  I must say that I love the contrast of the two colours, bright but not gaudy.

For the card base I went with Merry Merlot Card, cut and scored using my Stampin’ Trimmer.  Then I folded the card along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder.  Finally, using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I attached my stamped background to the card base.

SPECIAL SENTIMENTS

I wanted a special sentiment for the card and after a bit of searching found exactly what I needed in the Beautiful Bouquet Stamp Set.   If you’re not familiar with this set, do check it out.  As well as floral images it has gorgeous sentiments for both the inside and outside of cards.

Taking my Memento Tuxedo Black ink I stamped the sentiment onto my watercoloured piece, AND completely messed it up!  The paper must have been damp where I stamped the initial L and the ink spread.  What to do?

In the end I took a scrap of dry Watercolor Paper and simply stamped the sentiment again.  This time no boo-boos but now I was left with the challenge of adding it to the leaf image layer.

I considered die-cutting the sentiment, but to be honest there wasn’t really room for a die-cut shape beside the leaves.  Instead I took my Paper Snips and fussy-cut around the words.  Then using pieces of Stampin’ Dimensionals I fixed the new sentiment over the damaged one.  That was definitely a better idea.

With the sentiment problem solved I then used liquid glue to attach the watercoloured layer to a piece of Merry Merlot Card.  Finally I added the layers to the card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

FINISHING TOUCHES

The leaf image would be the coordinating element of the project.

For the inside of the card and envelope I needed a lighter layer and chose Very Vanilla as the warmer tone would work well with the other colours.

At the bottom of a layer of Very Vanilla Card I stamped a portion of the leaf image with Merry Merlot ink.  Then I stamped the ‘it’s in the staying there’ sentiment from the Beautiful Bouquet Stamp Set with StazOn Jet Black ink.  Finally I fixed the layer inside the card base with Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

To complete the project I stamped the same leaf image at the bottom on the front of Very Vanilla Medium Envelope.

Masculine cards are always a challenge to make and I’m delighted with this project.  The Buffalo Check background is such a great basic image, I’m sure it will become a staple in my craft studio.

CHALLENGE INSPIRATION

Here’s the CAS Colours and Sketches challenge CC&S286 – colours image that inspired my project today.

They are not colours that I’d thought of putting together, until today, but they work so well together.  What do you think?

LAST FEW DAYS

As we approach the end of August, time is running out if you want to buy the Blended Seasons Stamp Set.  The stamp set, coordinating Stitched Seasons Framelits Dies and Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2, are only available while stocks last.  Do check them out in my online store while you still can.  If you want the stamp set and coordinating dies, make sure you order them using the special bundle code to save 10%.  I’ve included links to the bundles in my project list so you can explore this further if you wish.

2018 HOLIDAY CATALOGUE

The Stampin’ Up! 2018 Holiday Catalogue goes live on September 5th.  Unfortunately that means the Buffalo Check background stamp is not available to customers for a couple more weeks.  If you can’t wait, contact me to find out how you can get your hands on it sooner.

I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for another sneak peek from the Stampin’ Up! 2018 Holiday Catalogue.

PRODUCT LIST