Sometimes the only way to find out how to do something is to just try. I’ve had the Music From My Heart Stamp Set for a while but haven’t used it a lot. I love the grand piano image but had no idea how to colour it without losing the detail. After putting it off for sometime, I decided to grab some Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers and give it a go. In the end I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to do.

A GRAND PIANO
This project all began when I stamped the piano image onto a layer of Whisper White Card using Tuxedo Black ink.
I knew I wanted the piano to be a traditional black but thought that dark black would probably be too much. So instead I chose the light Basic Black and dark Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers for my colouring. I hoped this would be dark enough to give the impression of black, without completely obscuring the stamped image. Then for the heart-shaped lid I used dark and light Flirty Flamingo Stampin’ Blends.
I was quite happy with the result so decided to continue on with my project. This first piece would be perfect for the inside of my card.
Using my Stamparatus I stamped the piano onto the front of a Whisper White Medium Envelope with Tuxedo Black ink. Then I stamped the image onto another piece of Whisper White Card. Leaving the stamp attached to the Stamparatus plate I then set to work colouring the images using Stampin’ Blends as before.
TIP – Stampin’ Blends work because the ink saturates the paper. So to prevent it soaking through both sides of the envelope I put a piece of scrap paper inside before I start colouring.
NEXT STEPS
Once all the images were coloured I went back to my Stamparatus with the second piano I stamped onto card. I wiped the card with an Embossing Buddy to remove any oils and static then placed the card back onto the platform. With the piano stamp still in mounted on the Stamparatus plate I then placed the “You’re the music in my heart” sentiment beside it. Then I inked up both stamps with VersaMark ink and stamped onto the card. As I hadn’t moved the original stamp this meant that I stamped perfectly on top of my coloured image.
Next I removed the card from the platform and sprinkled it with Black Stampin’ Emboss Powder. Then I tapped off the excess and removed a few stray specks before melting the rest with my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

TIP – The alcohol in Stampin’ Blends can dull the look of heat embossing. That’s why I prefer to stamp my image with ink, colour with Stampin’ Blends and then add the embossing afterwards. Using the Stamparatus makes this process a whole lot simpler.
SIMPLE LAYERS
Now the images were complete, all I had left to do was cut some layers and assemble my project.
I began by using my Paper Trimmer to cut and score a piece of Basic Gray Card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder to create a card base. Finally using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed the card layer with just the piano image to the inside.
For the front panel I began by mounting some Silver Glimmer Paper onto a layer of Flirty Flamingo Card with liquid glue. Then using Stampin’ Dimensionals I added the embossed image and sentiment piece onto the Glimmer Paper.
I finished off by using more liquid glue to fix the assembled layers to the card front and my project was complete.
I have to say that I love the final look of this card. The piano that was only stamped and coloured with Stampin’ Blends is not bad. But for me stamping the image over the colouring and embossing it in black really adds a wow factor.
In case you missed them here are a couple of other blog posts featuring the Music From My Heart Stamp Set.
What a beautiful card.
Thank you Cathy