Have you ever wondered about how Stampin’ Up! names their products? Stamp sets are often (but not always) named for one of the sentiments, or at least a close approximation. Dies that coordinate with a stamp set were given a similar name, but that has started to change. Now you’ll find stamp sets and dies have exactly the same name to make the coordination more apparent. Paper pack names are not so obvious and can sometimes be a little misleading. Take the Delicate Desert Designer Series Paper (DSP) for instance…

NO DESERT HERE

When I first saw the Delicate Desert DSP in the new Mini Catalogue I immediately rejected it. After all I live in Nova Scotia with no desert anywhere in sight. But as I started to see samples from other Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators I reaslised I’d been a bit hasty. So I created today’s slimline card to show off one of the amazing gender-neutral patterns that are part of the pack.

From the Delicate Desert pack I chose a subtle Aztec(?) design printed in Gray Granite. With the pattern running horizontally I cut a 3″ x 8″ piece. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I mounted it onto a 3-1/8″ x 8-1/8″ layer of Balmy Blue Card

Next I cut two 4″ pieces of Gray Granite 1/4″ Shimmer Ribbon and wrapped them around the assembled layers. After securing the ribbon on the back with Tear & Tape Adhesive I decided to make the card base next.

So using my Paper Trimmer I cut a 7″ x 8-1/2″ piece of Gray Granite Card. Then with the short side at the top I scored the card at 3-1/2″. After folding it along the scored line I sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder. Then I mounted my ribbon-wrapped layers onto the front with more liquid glue.

NO RAIN HERE

Now I needed to create my focal point and for that I chose the Playing In The Rain Stamp Set and Tuxedo Black ink. First on some Basic White Card I stamped the “Oh, Happy Day” sentiment. Then I cut it out using the circle die from the Labels Aglow Dies which have been carried over from the July to December 2022 Mini Catalogue. Using Stampin’ Dimensionals I added the sentiment to the card front.

Next from the Playing In The Rain Stamp Set I chose the tortoise and the separate flowers image. I stamped these onto scraps of Basic White Card and then set to work colouring them with Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers.

For the tortoise’s shell I used dark and light Starry Sky on the plates. Then I coloured between them with dark Balmy Blue. Still using dark Balmy Blue I added some shadow areas on the underside of his shell before going over the whole area with light Balmy Blue. I also added some lines of light Balmy Blue to his eye. Then picking up the dark Balmy Blue again I went over the areas between the shell plates to darken that colour further. Finally for the head and legs of my tortoise I used dark and light Gray Granite. Then I finished off all the flowers with Ivory and Bronze.

NO REGRETS

My original plan had been to use more of the Delicate Desert paper to add some decoration to the inside of the card and envelope. However I was smitten with my tortoise and decided to make him the coordinating element instead So I stamped him in the bottom left corner of a 3″ x 8″ piece of Basic White Card. Then I stamped him on the front of a Smoky Slate envelope from the Slimline Envelopes pack, before colouring the two images as before. I also scribbled some dark Gray Granite underneath his feet to ground him. With that done I glued the Basic White layer inside the card base.

That just left the tortoise and flowers I’d stamped on scraps of Basic White Card. So I found the coordinating dies from the Playing In The Rain Dies and cut them out. Then using liquid glue I fixed the flowers onto the front of the card before adding the die-cut tortoise with Stampin’ Dimensionals. With that my ‘no desert’ card was complete.

So as you can see the Delicate Desert DSP is not a collection of desert scenes at all. It’s definitely a paper pack that’s worth a second look, I certainly don’t regret it.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Playing In The Rain Stamp Set and coordinating Playing In The Rain Dies using the single ‘bundle’ item number. This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I’ve included links for both options so you can explore these further if you wish.