I'm so glad you stop by and check out what I'm up to. Believe it or not, I'm thinking of you when I experiment with some of the new products with each catalog roll out. I purchase what I really like but also am thinking about how this would appeal to a wider audience and especially my own customers. Some have been with me now for 7 years and I have a hunch which stamps and products they will be excited about.
I had a customer purchase the"Flourish Filigree" set early on this fall and it caught my attention because I was surprised! I hadn't really noticed it and thought it was kinda "meh". I forgot about it and then a couple weeks later I took another look at it and noticed that the sentiments are perfect for several punches, which always is an attractive feature. Anyway, I decided to get it and then had some fun playing with it. The filigree stamp makes a perfect background on card stock or even Designer Series Paper and the sentiments are great. Here's what I ended up with:
On this first card, I used the "Tranquil Textures" Designer Series Paper. If you haven't gotten this paper pack yet, you really should! I can't tell you how many cards I've used it in and stamped on the paper multiple times. It is the perfect addition of paper to a card. It helped me create a vintage effect on this card, which I really like.
For this second card, I again used the "Tranquil Textures" DSP, but a busier pattern. As long as your ink is dark enough, busy paper works okay most of the time. I pulled the Tranquil Tide color out of the paper for my stamping, both the filigree stamp and the sentiment. I also pulled out some pink with the rose glimmer paper and rose metallic thread. This sentiment is made to coordinate with the "Pretty Label" punch.
For this card, I wanted to play with the lightest shade of green we have, the Soft Sea Foam. I used the "Tranquil Textures" DSP AGAIN and used Soft Sea Foam ink on top of it. The snowflakes are from the "Snow Is Glistening" stamp set. The rest of the stamping is from the "Merry Christmas to You" bundle, as well as the "Christmas" die cut. I wasn't sure if this shade of green would work for Christmas, but I think it does. It wasn't toooo overpowered by the red.
For my last card, I went back to the "First Frost" stamp set and alternately stamped the garland with using the full stamp and then only part of it and stamping off on grid paper. I thought that was a unique way to use this set.
It's always fun to just play. I think sometimes we are afraid we will mess up so we are hesitant to try something out of the box or not familiar to us. I'm such a big fan of trying something even if the end product isn't as wonderful as the image you had in your head. You can always "fix" what you don't like and if all fails, you can throw it away or turn the paper over and make something else! Paper and ink are relatively inexpensive so it's okay to try something, even if you're not sure!
Today, I have a swap to prepare for among my team of demonstrators and a free for all card/tag class for my daughter and her friends (20-30 year olds). She told me that either 3 people or about 10 are coming so I'm hoping she gives me a closer number later today, haha! Just as an aside, reach out to people that aren't in your age demographic. These are often the people that you don't normally hang out with but I can safely say that every generation includes people who love to craft and make things that are handmade and DIY. I always tell people that what I like best about this hobby is getting together with some friends and strangers (sometimes!) to create. It feels like what it must have felt to be part of a quilting bee back in the pioneer days. Women (and sometimes men) love to create and socialize and if you can combine them, it's really a popular activity! Throw in some food and you've got their attention as well!
Have a great Wednesday....
Sarah
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