Do you have a familiar routine when you get new craft toys? I didn’t think I did but perhaps I’m wrong. You see yesterday I received delivery from Stampin’ Up! and among my customers’ orders was a little treat for me, the new Hope & Prayer Stamp Set. After checking the order, I was free to play, and of course I automatically reached for my new set. Without even thinking I picked up some card I’d already cut to 2” x 5-1/2” and in minutes my stamp set was christened.

My first project with a new stamp set is often a bookmark or gift tag. I find they’re just big enough to test ideas and get the creative mojo fired up. I always hope my initial idea will work out, but if not I don’t feel I’ve wasted a lot of time or materials. With this project I was definitely off to a good start.

HOPE & PRAYER

Today’s test started with a 2″ x 5-1/2″ strip of Thick Very Vanilla Card. While I wanted a blue background to go with the anchor theme I thought a solid blue piece of card would be a bit boring. So instead I decided to create a custom background using ink and a Blending Brush.

Over the surface of the card I first brushed a light layer of Balmy Blue ink. Then I added some Bermuda Bay ink over the top. I didn’t worry that the colours were patchy in places as that made it interesting. Then with the background done I added a hole at one end using the slot option on the Very Best Trio Punch.

Now I was ready to stamp and from the Hope & Prayer Stamp Set I chose “Hope anchors the soul”. Using Starry Sky ink I stamped this near the bottom of the bookmark. Then I stamped the anchor image above it.

To finish I cut two 6″ pieces of Starry Sky 1/8″ Metallic Woven Ribbon and folded them in half. Then I poked the loops through the slot, before threading the cut ends though the loops and gently pulling them tight. In next to no time my first Hope & Prayer project was complete.

I know I”m not going to regret getting this stamp set. Although it only has 8 stamps, the four sentiments and four small images are simply beautiful. In fact I’m so inspired I’m off to make a few more projects while it’s still on my desk.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Very Best Trio Punch in a bundle with the Very Best Occasions Stamp Set (not used today). Buying these two items using the single ‘bundle’ item number meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the same two items separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle in case you want to explore that option.