Sunday 17 August 2014

One Stamp...Four Ways...

Hello there

Is it me or does it seem rather "Autumney" today?  We now have lovely warm sunshine outside, but I notice that we now have blackberries and some of the leaves are changing and it just feels like Autumn.  No problem as it is my favourite season anyhoo.

Right then, onto today's post.

Last year whilst on a Playground outing at a Craft Show, I was looking at some goodies on a stall when I overheard a conversation that went like this...

"So then Mavis, are you going to buy that die?  It is so you and I know you will do a great job of it".

"Well Agnes.  Whenever I buy a die or stamp, I try to think of three ways in which I might use it.   If I can't I don't buy it.  I am just thinking as so far I only have two."

I turned and nodded my approval on Mavis' method of thinking and since I have tried to do the same...mostly.  

Well the other day I was rummaging through my drawers looking for something or other and I happened upon this stamp Elegant Butterfly by Stampington and Company which was a kinda impulse purchase...it was sitting on a table just over from where I was working at a scrapbooking retreat...however, I don't very often use it as it does not really lend itself to being played with.  Or so I thought.  I then thought about Mavis' conversation and set about finding three alternative ways to use it.

So here is Option 1...
 I stamped it as it was onto white cardstock with Archival ink in Cobalt.  Once it had dried I scored around the edge of the cut piece and then carefully with my sharp knife, cut around the butterfly and then mounted it onto a piece of navy cardstock.  I then scored around a square card and mounted the navy onto the card.  Hey presto one method.

Option 2...

 For this option I stamped the image as above then sliced horizontally at 1/2 cm (or thereabouts), making sure that you keep each slice in the right order, then cutting horizontally at 1" sections, starting the second row at 1/2", again keeping each piece lined up so they don't get mixed.  (Yes I know I changed increments between cms and inches, but the size I cut the image wasn't divisible in inches!)  After inking around each piece using Pumice Stone DI I then attached each piece to a navy background.  I don't worry about the pieces not being exactly straight as I live in a 16th Century cottage and so have not got one straight wall or corner!  That is MY excuse and it is MY card!!

Option 3...


I inked the stamp with versamark and white WOW embossing powder which I heated.  I then inked the background with Peacock Feathers and Faded Jeans DIs.  I spritzed and flicked and distressed the edges.  Once it was dry I mounted it on white card and then navy before mounting this onto some woodgrain card (NBUS and very old).

And now for Option 4...

Here I tried the chalkboard effect.  Not something I have ever had good results with before but this one kinda turned out how I like it.   I used a really old, not very good white ink pad to stamp the stamp.  Then I added WOW white embossing powder and heated.  I then took the same white ink pad and dipped the corner of a cloth in it, but not too much, and then gently rubbed around the image to make it look like an old board.  I then drew around the edge with lines and kisses and mounted it onto a tan card (handmade).  I scorred the card top and bottom, added some TH tissue tape, some Maya Arts string and a button.  This is currently winging its way to a special friend.

Well, I hope you like my take on Mavis' idea.  I cannot actually remember what their names were, only the gist of the conversation, but I am so glad I had overheard it.  I shall have a rummage and try doing this with some other underused stamps.  I hope this post inspires you to try the same too.

I am going to take these cards down to the Snippets Playground as they do contain some Snippets.  I am also going to take it down to my friend Mrs A's Butterfly Challenge as it contains Summer  Butterflies.

Thanks for calling by.  Don't forget tomorrow I will be joining in the Blog Hop and so I will be pleased if you call by then.

Hettie



19 comments:

Words and Pictures said...

Definitely autumnal here - we have sunshine, but it's a long way from warm!

Love your butterfly variations - all so beautifully done. The white on dark at the end is amazing, and I love the first one with the dimensional wings too. Must get out my Cobalt ink again!
Alison xx

Sue said...

A bit nippy here too today but oh my your cards have brightened my day Sam these are gorgeous!!! sorry I've been MIA again lol don't know where the days are flying too lately huggles Sue xxx

Belinda Basson said...

Each time you used this stamp it looks totally different! Good job! Nice inspiration, thanks!

Helen said...

it was here too, for a time - had to put socks on!! Love your cards - each has something to offer, but I love the first 2.

scrappymo! said...

Oh my...these are stunning. What a fabulous idea. Love Mavis's reasoning!

How so like you to put it to test. It was a great experiment and turned out fabulously well!

I like them all but love the first and the last!!!

you have given me some great ideas to put to use...

Jean said...

What a fabulous exercise, all your cards turned out brilliantly. All in blue and white as well, just think how many more possibilities there would be with other colour combos!!
I love the stamp, and particularly like the way you raised the wings on the first card.
Jean x

Sarn said...

Autumnal here too!

FANTASTIC different ways to use that gorgeous stamp Sam. LOVE what you did with it.

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Mrs A. said...

What a rum way of buying or not buying a stamp but I like your 4 versions very much. Now where do I get my mitts on one of these ere stamps then? Thankyou for fluttering by. Hugs Mrs A.

Debs Willis said...

Socks & fleece day here, blowing a hooley too!
Love the effects you've created, that brick wall one is amazing, not sure is have the patience :-)
So, new nickname for you is Mavis???
Hugs
Debs x

Anonymous said...

I've wanted that stamp for the longest time! I've always found it to be so elegant and always looking to expand upon my Stampington stamp collection
What a stunning collection and the stamp looks so graceful stamped in blue.
Wishes
Lynne

Kathleen said...

Certainly food for thought on the decision to buy or not to buy maybe I should have gone down that road years ago?!
Great cards and well done on 4 versions.

Kath x

Unknown said...

Wow some really great designs using this stamp! So gorgeous and creative!
Lucy x

Kim said...

Awesome Philosophy! Awesome Stamp! Awesome job on the uses! Well, I can still say awesome philosophy...even if following it meant I'd have very few stamps and dies, right?

Darnell said...

Fascinating and inspiring, Sam! If I had good reasoning like that, I wouldn't be living at the base of Mt. NBUS!!! Each of your FOUR creations is perfection!! Hugs, Darnell

Di said...

Four fabulous cards Sam! Mavis was right - but I think there's still room for some impulse 'I love this and may only use it one way' buying :)

Well done you!

Hugs, Di xx

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Super use of the stamp Hettie, I can't really decide which of the cards I like most, they are fabulous.

Warm hugs
Maarit

Bonnie said...

Wow! Four very different but equally gorgeous cards, Sam! You've done an awesome job! I love the dimension of the popped up wings on the first and hadn't thought about using a cloth for the chalkboard! It worked beautifully!

Greta said...

Gorgeous butterflies! Love seeing 4 different cards with that stamp!

Jenny L said...

Hi Sam,
oh my word you were very busy with these superb creations.
I love what you have created with each one, and they all look so different too.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.