So a couple of minutes ago we had a short loss of power. It’s raining but it’s hardly a storm so I’ve no idea what could have caused the interruption. Still I’m going to assume that we may lose power again and set up my blog post very quickly. Today’s project was created for a friend and team member who hasn’t really connected with the retiring Humming Along Stamp Set. I decided to create a project that I felt sure she’d love, and hopefully spark a new appreciation for this set before it’s gone for good.

TAG BASE

I began by creating my tag base, starting with one of the gorgeous floral designs from the retiring Tropical Escape 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper (DSP). I cut a piece 2″ x 4-1/4″ making sure to keep one of the larger left facing flowers half-way up the right hand edge. Then I cut a 2″ x 4-1/4″ piece of Whisper White Card and attached it to the back of the DSP with Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow).

Then using the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch I punched the top of the tag to shape it and add the ribbon slot.

I wanted to use the retiring Powder Pink 3/8″ Shimmer Ribbon for this tag and came up with a different way to create the loop. I placed some Tear & Tape Adhesive at the top of the slot on either side of the tag. Next I attached one end of the ribbon to the tape at the front and threaded the rest of the ribbon through the slot to the back. Then I added more Tear & Tape above the slot on top the ribbon so I could thread the other end through and secure it in place. The result was a really nice loop with no bulky knot.

For my sentiment I chose ‘wishing you an amazing birthday’ from the retiring Humming Along Stamp Set. I simply stamped it onto Whisper White Card using StazOn Jet Black Ink. Then I punched it out using the Everyday Label Punch and attached it to the tag with liquid glue.

AMAZING HUMMINGBIRD

All that left was the star of this project, that amazing hummingbird image.

I began by stamping the hummingbird onto some window sheet using StazOn Jet Black Ink. Then I turned the piece over so I could colour on the back using my Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers.

I chose the light and dark Bermuda Bay Combo for the wings and tail, with Shaded Spruce Combo for the head and back. The chest was coloured using the Blackberry Bliss Combo, and the beak using dark Pumpkin Pie.

Each area where I coloured using the light and dark combo started with the lighter colour all over, then the darker colour not quite up to the edges. The trick to working on the window sheet with Stampin’ Blends is to be quick and not overwork the ink.

At this point, if I’d had the coordinating (and also now retiring) Hummingbird Framelits Dies, I would have cut out the window sheet and Glimmer Paper using my Big Shot. Then attached the pieces together with Mini Glue Dots. Instead, I started by adding some Mini Glue Dots to the darker areas of the hummingbird on the coloured side, before attaching it to the Silver Glimmer Paper. Then I used Paper Snips to cut out the layered pieces by hand.

Once that was done all that was left was for me to add the assembled hummingbird to the tag using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

I’ve made a couple of projects using this Window Sheet over Glimmer Paper process and I’ve always been impressed with the results. I could possibly let the Humming Along Stamp Set go without giving the hummingbird the same treatment. I hope you, and Brenda, like it.

HUMMING ALONG

You’ll find some other projects I created using the Humming Along Stamp Set these earlier blog posts.

• Humming Along Sneak Peek
• Custom-coloured Leafy Trellis

PRODUCT LIST

On the retiring list and only available while stocks last are the Tropical Escape DSP, Shimmer Ribbon and Stampin’ Trimmer. The Humming Along Stamp Set is also retiring but stocks of all retiring stamp sets are guaranteed until May 24th.