Creating A Plaid Background With Ink

Plaid Background Technique with the Happy Hedgehogs Stamp Set

A Happy Hedgehogs Plaid Background

When I discovered a sample card in the Stampin’ Up! January-June 2022 Mini Catalog, I just had to recreate it. There it was, nestled on the page displaying the Happy Hedgehogs Stamp Set and Hedgehog Builder Punch. Such a sweet card, even though it was hedgehog free.

The plaid paper in the background was just beautiful. My first instinct was to search every pack of designer series paper to find that perfect plaid design. But I quickly discovered it wasn’t designer paper at all. In fact, it was a plaid design made from a technique!

Plaid Watercolor Background

More Water Color Plaid Backgrounds

Now that I knew what technique I was trying to learn how to do, I needed someone to show me how to do it. Of course, I turned to YouTube. And searched. And searched.

It turns out, not everything is on YouTube. I finally found the general idea and decided to just go for it. Paper and ink and inspiration…what more does a crafter really need?

Preparing A WaterColor Ink Wash

Perparing to water color with ink refills and water painters.

Every time I watercolor, I am reaching for a few basic things:

  1. Water Painters. Stampin’ Up! sells them in a 3 pack, with different size brush heads.
  2. An Acrylic Block. Useful for more than holding stamps for stamping.
  3. Ink refills. You can use an ink pad too, but the refill drops go farther for use.

Of course, you may have heard that to watercolor with such a wet technique, you need special paper. Like the Fluid Watercolor Paper or Shimmery White Cardstock. While these papers are great at absorbing all the extra liquid this technique brings, you can use regular white cardstock, like I did!

Simple Stamping, Simple Watercoloring

I was able to put these cards together very quickly. The flower tree stamp and sentiment are both from the Happy Hedgehogs Stamp Set. I used Memento Black Ink for each, with more watercoloring along the branch, leaves and flowers.

The beautiful part about the front focal piece is that it covers just enough of the plaid background’s potential imperfections. So don’t let your fears of wobbly crooked lines stop you from trying this! I share lots of pointers and tips you may find useful in my how to video.

Create Some Plaid Backgrounds For Your Cards!

As you can see, the possibilities are endless when making plaid backgrounds with a watercolor wash. Because this technique is so unique, it is impossible for 2 cards to look the same. And as crafters of homemade cards, isn’t that what we are looking for…our personal spin on something everyone can do?

If you are missing out on the Happy Hedgehogs, don’t despair. Those adorable critters do have a scene in my video. And I am sure I will be playing with them again soon.

The Happy Hedgehogs Bundle

The Happy Hedgehogs Bundle includes both the stamp set and punch. By purchasing the bundle, you save 10% automatically until June 30, 2022. After that, the stamp set and punch will be sold separately, without the discount.

Looking for this or any of the other products I used for my project? Shop my online store anytime! I appreciate your business very much. Happy crafting!

Top 3 Retiring Items To Not Miss

Annual Retiring Items List

Every year, we see the annual retiring list from Stampin’ Up!. There are always the expected retiring items like:

In Colors, by way of ink pads, ink refills, markers, blends and paper.

Designer Series Paper and other specialty papers, embellishments and the like.

Assorted stamps, dies, punches and embossing folders.

Limited Time and Quantity For Retiring Items

But, there are some surprises on the retiring items list too! And to make things worse, we only have a limited time to get these retiring items. Even more difficult for us is the quantity of what is left in stock.

The items slated for retirement are only available until May 2, or sold out. Sadly, I have to report that a lot of items are already “sold out”.

To add to the disappointment of not getting retiring items, Stampin’ Up! is not making stamp sets to order as they have in the past. Yup…you heard it, gone is gone. Forever.

My Top 3 Most Missed

So from that long retiring list, how did I come up with my Top 3 to not miss? It was easy! I chose items that do not have a comparable replacement in the new upcoming catalog.

Question: What does that mean?

Answer: You won’t find anything like this retiring item to take its place. If you don’t get it before it is gone, you won’t be able to buy anything similar that will take care of a papercrafting need.

Let’s take a look at my list now:

1. Deciduous Trees Dies

This came as a shock to me, but all of the deciduous looking tree dies are retiring. And the only tree dies left will be “pine trees”. There are 2 die sets on the extinction list: Inspiring Canopy Dies and the Beautiful Trees Dies. If you enjoy tree themed cards (great for masculine and sympathy cards!), get your dies while you still can.

*The matching Beauty of Friendship Stamp Set to the Beautiful Trees Dies is also retiring.

*The bundled Inspired Thoughts Stamp Set to the Inspiring Canopy Dies is not retiring, the stamp set will be back in the new catalog. The dies will not.

2. Playful Alphabet Dies

Once upon a time, Stampin’ Up! offered Large Alphabet Dies, that were roughly 2″ tall per letter. When they retired, along came the Playful Alphabet Dies, at a mere 3/4″ tall. These adorable dies made it easy to spell words on card fronts and scrapbook pages alike.

But, now the alphabet dies are going away. And there is no other die set that is going to replace them. If you are a fan of stamping individual letters, your needs will be met when the new catalog drops. If you prefer a perfect die cut, better get a set of letters while you still can!

See these cards and more in another blog post by clicking here.

3. White Stampin’ Chalk Marker

Even though it made my list, the White Stampin’ Chalk Marker is already sold out. I am still sad that is has left. This minimal cost but highly productive item was featured in my January Winter White Bootcamp on my Positive PaperCrafters FaceBook Page. (Join our community to view all the trainings from this free event!)

I loved adding in touches of white with this special marker. First, we lost the White Gel Pen, and now this. There is nothing of its kind to replace it in the new Stampin’ Up! catalog. If you have one (or two!), good for you, enjoy it for as long as you possibly can.

The Days Run Short…

Time is really running out to get items off the retiring list! As I mentioned earlier, the last day to shop for them is May 2. And, if they sell out first, you are stuck with higher prices on Ebay and secondary sellers, if you can find them at all.

So, don’t delay any longer. Take a look at what is left by shopping my online store. Under “Shop Now’ look for ‘Sales & Specials’, then ‘Last Chance Products’. You may even save up to 50% on essential craft supplies. This really is your “last chance”!

Crafting Paper Shamrocks

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2 cards made using paper shamrocks

Green Shamrocks Wanted

Each year, as March 17th approaches, I am looking for ways to create paper shamrocks. Maybe you are like me, and don’t have much in the way of St. Patrick’s Day stamps or dies. But, that has never stopped ingenuity before! Let’s see how we can work around our lack of supplies to make amazing paper shamrocks.

Have A Heart

Any search for paper shamrocks on Pinterest will surely show you how to use heart punches to create your 3 (or 4) leaf clover. Consider yourself “lucky” if you have a heart punch that is just the right shape and size.

I find that a smaller heart punch or die will work better than one that is very large. After all, clovers are small in stature. When you punch out 3 or 4 hearts, depending on your preference, consider sponging some ink along the edges. This will give your heart “shamrock” some instant depth.

When you assemble your hearts, you have the option to overlap them slightly. Another option is to just have the heart edges touching. I find it is easier to adhere my hearts together on the back of a punched circle shape that is roughly the size of my paper shamrock to be. You can always trim away any excess circle paper when you are done.

Shamrocks To “Die” For

Consider yourself very lucky if you have an actual shamrock die. Crafting up gorgeous paper shamrocks will only be a matter of choosing a pretty shade of green!

But what about for the rest of us? Are we only left with heart punches to make our paper shamrocks with? I challenge you to take a look at some of your flower dies…you may be surprised by what you see.

In fact, there are quite a few flower dies (and even punches) that can be used to create shamrocks. Now, they may not look exactly like a real 3 or 4 leaf clover. But with a little imagination, they will come pretty close!

Four Leaf Paper Shamrock

Die cutting a shamrock with Pansy Dies

Take this great sample shamrock, using Garden Green Cardstock and the Pansy Dies. I think we have a great 4 leaf clover and stem! And all from a die set that is used to make flowers.

Three Leaf Paper Shamrock

Paper shamrock using the Pierced Blooms Dies

Another die example is one that is used on my finished card above. This paper shamrock comes from the Pierced Blooms Dies. I wanted to create a very unique look, so I chose a selection of Pear Pizzazz from the You’re A Peach Designer Series Paper Pack. Next, I die cut the stem in Mossy Meadow Cardstock for contrast.

I wanted my paper shamrock to have 3 leaves instead of 4, so I used my Paper Snips to cut away a section of the flower. Because there are pierced lines in this die cut, I was able to easily follow along the edge when cutting.

Using a marker to add lines to my die cut paper shamrock

And lastly, I used my Mossy Meadow Stampin’ Write Marker to add some line definition to my paper shamrock. Every little bit helps this flower turn into a sweet clover!

St. Patrick’s Day Sentiments

Now that you are looking at your flower dies in a new light, it is time to do the same with your sentiments. Once again, you may not have a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” saying handy. The Word Wishes Dies have you covered though. Among the words of the major holidays, you will find “Happy” and “St. Patrick’s Day” as well.

Word Wishes Dies spelling St. Patrick's Day

More Than March 17th!

Maybe you are looking to use paper shamrocks for occasions beyond the typical March 17th date. After all, wishing someone good luck or well wishes in general occurs all year long! I have compiled a list of the current Stampin’ Up! stamp sets that may have just what you need to express fortune to your card recipient.

Lucky To Know You!

How lucky is the person who is on the receiving end of your card making? Whether you are wishing someone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day, or sharing good luck wishes, the care and love you put into your card will surely show.

As you look for ways to craft up some paper shamrocks, be sure to view your supplies in a new light. And if you are still coming up empty, check out my online store for some of the items I have used here. I consider myself lucky to have you as a wonderful customer and fellow papercrafter.

Finished card with a paper shamrock using Pierced Blooms Dies