I’m always surprised when I see a Stampin’ Up! Retiring List. Mostly because something is being retired that I was certain was safe. Today however I wanted to use the Way To Goat Stamp Set simply because it’s not retiring. I must admit that I never expected it to be carried over into the 2021/2022 Annual Catalogue, but I’m certainly not disappointed.

WAY TO GOAT

My project actually began as a simple relaxation exercise. I find colouring stamped images really calming especially when there’s no finished project in mind.

I started by using StazOn Jet Black ink to stamp the goat image on the right-hand side of a 3″ x 4-1/4″ piece of Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper. Then in the space left in the top left-hand corner I stamped “You’re the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time)”.

TIP – Sometimes it’s hard to get a really good image when stamping onto a textured surface like watercolour paper, or a very smooth surface like acetate or foil. So when doing this I always use my Stamparatus to help me. That way I can stamp again in exactly the same place if the image is patchy, or on smooth surfaces the Stamparatus simply stops the stamp from sliding.

With the stamping done I set to work using the smallest brush from the Water Painters set and some ink refills. I started by choosing Crumb Cake ink, first painting the whole goat using some ink watered down with some clean water. Then after letting it dry for a couple of minutes, I took some less watery ink and added some shading and definition to the legs, belly and under his ear.

On top of his head I painted Cinnamon Cider ink, then I did the same for his little beard. Next, to add a pop of colour, I painted the flower with Magenta Madness ink.

While I was happy with the image so far my goat did look like he was floating. So using Just Jade ink I painted a little ‘ground’ around his hooves. Then I set the piece aside to dry completely.

LEAFY BACKGROUND

I really liked the Just Jade and so decided to use that as my coordinating colour.

I began by using my Paper Trimmer to cut and score a 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ piece of Just Jade Card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder to create my card base.

Now I wanted some patterned paper to use as a background and for my coordinating feature. I found the perfect Just Jade leafy design in the retiring Flowers For Every Season Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack.

I needed three pieces of the DSP and cut the first one 4″ x 5-1/4″. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed it to the front of the card base

Next I cut a 3/4″ x 5-1/4″ strip of DSP and glued it along the bottom edge of a 4″ x 5-1/4″ layer of Very Vanilla Card. Then I fixed the assembled layer inside the card base.

From the remaining piece of DSP I cut my final strip 3/4″ x 4-3/8″. Then using liquid glue once again, I attached it to the left side on the front of a Very Vanilla Medium Envelope.

COPPER HORNS

That just left the painted panel. However when I went back to it I felt that it needed something extra. That’s when I hit upon the idea of doing a little paper piecing. So I went back to the Stamparatus to stamp the head of the goat onto a scrap of Copper Foil Sheet. Once stamped, I roughly cut around the horns with Paper Snips, then I covered the back of the piece with some Adhesive Sheet. With that done I carefully cut out each horn and pressed them into place on my painted image.

To finish I cut a 3-1/4″ x 4-1/2″ piece of Just Jade Card and used liquid glue to mount the completed goat panel onto it. Then after attaching the assembled layers to the front of the card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals my project was complete.

I really love how this project turned out. Not least because I had no plans for the painted panel when I started. Sometimes it’s good just to start something and see where it takes you, don’t you think?

PRODUCT LIST

RETIRING PRODUCTS – The Flowers For Every Season DSP used today is retiring and now only available while supplies last. It’s currently available at 40% off too so definitely a bargain not to be missed.