Even though I have a large number of stamp sets I’m always on the look out for interesting sentiments. So it was inevitable that I’d be drawn to the Approaching Perfection Stamp Set available for free during Sale-A-Bration. This set has four unique sentiments, in addition to “Happy birthday” and two images. I couldn’t wait to use this stamp set and for this first project chose the “newsflash” sentiment.

AROUND THE WORLD

With the newsflash sentiment already decided, I first had to choose some paper for my background. It occurred to me that ‘news’ is often accompanied by images of places, so that led me to the World Of Good Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack.

After considering the various options I settled on the world map printed onto a Crumb Cake background. So to coordinate with this I chose Crumb Cake, Basic Black and Very Vanilla Card.

I began by using my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Crumb Cake Card for the card base. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder.

Next I needed to cut three pieces of the DSP. The first piece I cut was 2-1/4″ x 6″ and using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed it to the flap of a Very Vanilla Medium Envelope. Then with Paper Snips I trimmed off the excess paper using the edge of the flap as a guide.

I cut my second piece of DSP 3/4″ x 5-1/8″ and glued that near the right-hand edge of a 4″ x 5-1/4″ layer of Very Vanilla Card. Once attached, I fixed the layer inside the card base.

My final piece of DSP was cut to 3″ x 5-1/8″ and mounted onto a 3-1/8″ x 5-1/4″ layer of Basic Black Card. Then I wrapped some Linen Thread around the layers and tied the ends in a simple knot. Finally using Stampin’ Dimensionals I attached the assembled layers to the card front.

NEWSFLASH SENTIMENT

All that was left for me to do was the sentiment.

Because the “newsflash” is in reverse in a solid area of stamp rubber I decided to use my Stamparatus to help me. After mounting the stamp on the hinged plate I inked it up with Tuxedo Black ink. Then I stamped it onto some Very Vanilla Card. As I suspected the brand new stamp didn’t give a completely crisp solid impression with it’s first inking. So I reinked the stamp and stamped it again in exactly the same place. That was much better.

Next I went looking for a suitable die or punch to fit the sentiment. In the end I chose the Stitched Shapes Dies and the #3 square die (counting from the smallest up).

I could have die cut a mat for the sentiment using the larger square die but I felt the border was too thick. So instead I cut a 2-1/4″ x 2-1/4 piece of Basic Black Card.

After fixing the sentiment to the mat with liquid glue, I added Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back (stacking them two high under the right-hand edge). This would keep the sentiment level despite being only partly on the background layer. With that I attached the sentiment to my prepared card base and my project was complete.

Such a simple design but the sentiment makes it so much fun. What do you think?

PRODUCT LIST

To earn free Sale-A-Bration products, do what I do. I make a list of the basic supplies I know I’m going to want in the next month or two. This might include white card, envelopes, adhesives etc. Then I simply make sure I place my qualifying order before Sale-A-Bration ends (February 28th). That way I get free stuff simply for buying things I knew I was going to have to get anyway.

The Approaching Perfection Stamp Set can be selected as your free item with a $60 order (before shipping and taxes). Check out the Sale-A-Bration Brochure for this and all the other choices.

And in case you were wondering – all of the dies in the Stitched Shapes set fit in the new Mini Cut & Emboss Machine.