A few days ago I showed you a tag that I stamped and then painted with ink. It seems like I may be a bit obsessed with ink painting at the moment as that’s how today’s project started. However instead of stamping the images, I cheated somewhat and reached for the True Love Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack instead. It’s not the first time I’ve coloured one of the black and white sheets, but I just can’t help it. Sadly the True Love DSP is likely to be retiring very soon so I’m making the most of it while I still can.

TRUE LOVE
As I said this project all began with a sheet from the True Love 12″ x 12″ DSP pack. Today I chose a very detailed pattern with large succulent plants among pretty open flowers. For my colour palette I decided to stick to just the five new In Colors for 2021-2023; Evening Evergreen, Fresh Freesia, Pale Papaya, Polished Pink and Soft Succulent.
I began by squeezing the closed ink pads to transfer some of the ink to the inside of the lid. When I opened each ink pad I could use the lid as a ‘paint’ palette and add drops of clean water to loosen the ink a little. Then it was simply a case of using a Water Painter to pink up the ink and paint with it.

I knew that the painting would take a bit of time so I cut a 6″ x 6″ piece of the DSP. That way I’d only be painting the quantity of paper I would need while ensuring I had enough to complete the project.
Once the entire piece was painted with the five colours I set it aside to dry overnight.
STAR OF THE SHOW
The next day I sat down to complete the project and decided to make the True Love DSP the star of the show.
I thought the colourful design would look good against a darker background so I chose Evening Evergreen Card for my card base. Using my Paper Trimmer I cut and scored the card, then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder. Now I was ready to add the painted DSP.
First I cut a 2-3/8″ x 6″ piece and used Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) to attach it to the flap of a Basic White Medium Envelope. Then with Paper Snips I cut off the excess paper using the edge of the flap as a guide.

Next I cut a 7/8″ x 5-1/4″ strip of the DSP and glued it down the right-hand edge of a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card. To give it a finished look I then added a 1/8″ x 5-1/4″ strip of Polished Pink Card up against the edge of the DSP. Finally I attached the assembled layer inside the card base with more liquid glue.
All that left was the front of the card and I started by cutting a 2-3/4″ x 4″ piece from the remaining DSP. Then I mounted it onto a 2-7/8″ x 4-1/8″ layer of Polished Pink Card with liquid glue, before adding it to the card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
DAYS TO REMEMBER
For my sentiment I chose the compact “Happy Birthday” from the Days To Remember Stamp Set.

With the stamp as a guide I found a small stitched die in the Snail Dies set that I could use. However the die is solid and I wouldn’t be able to line it up over a stamped sentiment. So instead began by die-cutting a scrap of Thick Basic White Card. Then, using Evening Evergreen ink, I stamped the sentiment onto the die-cut piece. This was a really simple job as the Days To Remember Stamp Set is made from see-through photopolymer material.
Once cut, all I had to do was add the sentiment to the painted True Love layer with Stampin’ Dimensionals and my project was complete.
I’m really pleased with how this project turned out. The True Love DSP is nice in black and white, but is pretty in colour too. I’m glad that I get to make that choice. What do you think?
For some more projects using the True Love Designer Series Paper see these earlier blog posts:
- Take one Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Marker
- True love is battling against the storm
- Today I succumbed to magenta madness
- True Love paper scrap is not wasted
- Hopes for more messages coming true
NEW PAPER PUMPKIN KIT
Today Stampin’ Up! gave us a few hints about the June 2021 Paper Pumpkin kit. The kits is called Expressions In Ink and will make 9 full-size cards (3 each of 3 designs). Inside the kit you’ll find everything you need including ink-stained paper pieces, an exclusive stamp set, and not one, but two Classic Stampin’ Spots! And, it all comes in a cute, colourful, and collectible box with instructions and adhesives. The kit also coordinates with the Expressions in Ink suite found on pages 96 and 97 of the 2021/2022 Annual Catalogue.

I think this kit will be very popular and could sell out before the end of the subscription period so my advice is to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin right away. You won’t be charged for the kit until after the subscription period ends on June 10th, and your kit will ship shortly after that. I certainly can’t wait to get mine!
PRODUCT LIST
RETIRING SOON? The True Love 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper appears in the Stampin’ Up! January to June 2021 Mini Catalogue. Sadly this DSP does not appear in the newly released Annual Catalogue so it’s very likely to be retired in the coming weeks. We’ll know for sure at the end of May, and if so it will then only be available while stocks last. For that reason if you haven’t yet got this paper, or want more, I suggest you order it sooner rather than later.
BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Snail Dies in a bundle with the coordinating Snailed It Stamp Set (not used today). This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I also saved 10% by buying all five 2021-2023 In Color ink pads as a bundle. I’ve included links to both bundles below so you can explore these options if you wish.
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