If Stampin’ Up! didn’t already have an exclamation mark I would have added one to my blog title. This morning it was announced that starting from Monday we’ll all be able to buy products from the new Storage by Stampin’ Up! range. Woo hoo!

I’ve been wanting to reorganise the area immediately around where I create and have been looking for just the right option. Stampin’ Up! obviously knew this, and created their new range just for me (and people like me).

Storage by Stampin’ Up! is a modular system designed to hold the new-style ink pads, ink refills, Stampin’ Write Markers and Stampin’ Blends plus lots more. What’s great is that you can buy the pieces you need now and then add more as the need grows. This also means that you could buy a few pieces at a time to spread the cost. I am certainly doing the happy dance this morning and that led me to today’s project.

CELEBRATE

I began my gift tag by stamping the dancer image from the Beautiful You Stamp Set onto Whisper White Card using Powder Pink ink. Next I used the brush tip of a Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker to colour directly onto the ‘celebrate’ sentiment. Then I stamped the sentiment above the dancer’s outstretched leg.

With that done I took the image over to my Big Shot and Magnetic Platform to cut it out. My dancer just fitted inside the #4 (largest) of the circle dies from the Stitched Shapes Framelits so that’s the one I chose. While I was there I cut a second circle from Whisper White Card as I’d need it later.

STAMPIN’ BLENDS

I can’t recall ever using Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers on this image so that was my choice today.

I began by colouring her arms and legs with the light Petal Pink, then added a little dark Petal Pink to the undersides. The hat started with light Daffodil Delight, followed by dark Daffodil Delight. Then I used the light Soft Suede over the outline of the hat and her hair.

Next I coloured the whole dress using the dark Petal Pink. This would give it a nice base. Then I added some dark Highland Heather and blended it out with light Highland Heather.

I wanted the skirt to stand out more so went over it with light Rich Razzleberry. I then went back over the waist area and folds in the skirt with dark Rich Razzleberry, before blending that out with the light one.

Finally I added some light Smoky Slate across the ground area.

FINISHING TOUCHES

I quite liked the tag so far but felt that the Whisper White Base lacked interest. So I grabbed a Sponge Dauber and sponged some Pool Party ink over the surface and edges.

With the colouring complete there was some bleed through to the back of the card which was not unexpected. This was why I needed the second die-cut circle, and I fixed the two together using used Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow).

I then decided that I wanted more definition at the waistline of the dress. So I grabbed my Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker and used the brush tip to add a belt. As this marker is water-based it stayed nice and crisp and didn’t blend into the colouring on the dress.

All that was left was to punch a hole at the top using the Detailed Trio Punch, and tie some Whisper White Baker’s Twine through the hole.

So there we are. That’s me, in purple of course, doing the happy dance.

STORAGE BY STAMPIN’ UP!

The new Storage by Stampin’ Up! range will be available to buy from Monday April 1st. All the information about the pieces in the current range can be found in the Storage by Stampin’ Up! flyer.

The ink pad shelves come in packs of 5, and each shelf holds a new-style ink pad and Stampin’ Write Marker. The Stampin’ Blends shelves also come in packs of 5, and hold 6 Blends per shelf. There is also a large open storage box, a shallow tray and a lid to top everything off if you wish. These last three pieces are all sold individually as you may only need one or two.

All the pieces fit together and can be stacked and rearranged to suit your own crafting style. The whole system is designed to grow with you and be adaptable. No more buying a big storage cabinet and then realising it takes up too much space or doesn’t hold everything you need.

All-in-all I’m over the moon about this new range and I’m already planning what I want to get. In fact I have a cunning plan for a unique layout that will fit my needs perfectly. When it’s done I’ll be sure to share it with you.

Do check out the Storage by Stampin’ Up! leaflet and if you’re unsure what pieces you’d need for your own craft room, let me know and I’ll be happy to help.

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