Braided In Beauty

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The stamp set, Beautifully Braided, is new to the Stampin’ Up! January-June 2020 Mini Catalog. With so much focus on other flower stamp sets and bundles, Beautifully Braided could be considered by some to be a bit of a sleeper. You can combine the purchase of Beautifully Braided with the Braided Border Punch for a 10% bundle savings.

Unlike most bundles, the stamp set can certainly stand on its own. Similarly, the punch does not specifically require the stamp set. The connection between the two is a single dotted stamp in the pattern of the punch design. Regardless, each component makes wow cards, and who doesn’t love a bargain?

*Full disclosure, I bought this bundle for the punch and fell madly in love with the stamp set. When in doubt on a purchase, you should always go for the bundle.

Beautifully Braided Bundle, Item #153821 https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net

Card Genre

I applaud a large stamp image that can be used frequently. This generous sized flower stamp from Beautifully Braided requires clear block f, the big daddy! Consider it for birthday, sympathy, thinking of you, congrats, Easter, Mother’s Day cards, and more. The sentiments are unique and refreshing, speaking to us of friendship and kindness.

Card Design

This flower stamp looks clean and crisp done in black and white. When you add color, you add endless possibilities. For you doodle fanatics- grab those markers, blends or watercolor pencils and go for it. Hello quick stamp and go peeps or newbies- this is designed for you. My technique freaks- heat emboss, watercolor, spotlight.

Stamp direct for a deeper color or stamp off for a subtle look. The filler stamp is not an exact match, so stamping is super easy- no perfect alignment needed for this artsy look.
Add additional color with blends or markers. Then tap the uncapped end of either with your bone folder over your stamped image. This creates a sporadic and delicate splatter effect.

Braided Border Punch

Border punches are not new to Stampin’ Up!. Yet the directive to punch, align and repeat can be tricky. It takes a little practice and patience to get it right. Therefore, I have a few tips that may help you in creating an awesome border.

Choose the correct paper size for the punch. Bigger is better!
Steady your punched paper as you align and punch again. Make sure the paper edge on the right remains flush against the punch lip (all the way to the back).

Are you still having trouble making perfect punched borders? A simple solution is to hide the imperfections. First, add ribbon thru the lattice style opening, then knot or tie a bow. Next, tuck the border behind some pretty top layers.

My less than perfect punched border. Coverups are in the works.
Make your border long and wrap the ends around the back when layering. Supermarket shortcut: secure with ordinary tape. No messy adhesive required in the front!

Sentiment Use

Do you love the sentiment, but have no room to stamp all of it? You should mask and condense. Here, I used the word “smile” from the stamp “your smile brightens my day”. Certainly you could stamp the complete version to the inside of the card for continuity.

No need to ink the entire saying, just the portion needed. It’s okay to get ink on surrounding words as long as you don’t go crazy, that’s where the next step takes effect.
Painters tape masks unwanted images, and removes easily from the block and stamp. Use the straight edge of the tape (not jagged) against your inked selection.
Align and stamp. The painters tape keeps unwanted ink off your project.

Colorful Cards

Above all, the beauty of the Beautifully Braided stamp set is its simple versatility. The Braided Border Punch can be used in limitless ways. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram as I share additional cards made with this great bundle.

Be sure to shop my online store and add the Beautifully Braided Bundle to your collection. Most importantly, start creating your own colorful garden projects. Share with others, and make them smile. You’ll be glad you did!

My beautiful garden, created using Lily Impressions Designer Series Paper (free with a $50 purchase during Sale-A-Bration) and coordinating color families.

My Stamping Journey

My stamping journey started in 2007, I was freshly “home” again after spending 20 years traveling the eastern states with my Coast Guard hubby and two kids. First retirement had hit, and I was eager to catch up on all the things my extended family was involved in while I was away.

Enter Christmas Stamp Camp! My mom and sister-in-law faithfully attended, and invited me along. Now I was no stranger to trying out new things. The military lifestyle certainly prepares one for that.

In my younger years, I dabbled in drawing and painting. Love DIY crafts. Spent long hours cross-stitching and had made a killer Barbie house out of plastic canvas for my daughter. I could do this stamping thing too.

My indoctrination into the stamping world was eye opening! Women were ecstatic over the papers, designs, stamps and more. Like kids in a candy shop, they wanted it all. As we went to each card making station, we oohhed and ahhhed over what was displayed in glory before us. I was hooked. I needed more.

I hosted Stampin’ Up! parties, attended camps and classes. Consistent effort grew my ability at card making. The desire to stock my shelves with supplies was undeniably strong. My collection of stamps started small but expanded quickly. I needed more.

My first Stampin” Up! catalog and stamp set, and early card making effort.

My demonstrator spoke of starting a monthly stamp club that involved the commitment of gathering to make cards, place orders and take turns reaping host benefits. She needed participants. This idea intrigued me greatly, and I was the driving force in collecting enough friends, family and coworkers to make it happen.

Life happens, and after some time my demonstrator needed to step down. Our little club of enthusiastic stampers was temporarily adrift. We did not want to end the good thing we had going. There was talk among us of using another demo in the area.

Admittedly, I was jealous. I didn’t want someone else to take over. Why couldn’t it be me? I realized then that not only did I need more, I could do more!

I would sign up to be the demonstrator. I would run the club. My classes and camps would be offered. This was my opportunity to create and share, make new friendships, spend all the money I made in more stamping supplies (truth).

Being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator nurtures my creativity. The colorful sunrise, waves crashing on the beach or snowflakes drifting in the air are all truly inspirational to everyone. Yet somehow the most mundane items can stimulate my stamper’s intellect. When I find the hidden beauty in ordinary things, I feel like the world is a better place.

Some might see a rug, the back of a dehumidifier, a mop and extension cord…
The crafter sees an embossed image, dies, decorative masks and swirly stamps.

My stamping journey is far from over. Sure, I have come a long way since I held that first stamp in my hand. And being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator is a path with its own challenges and rewards. But there are always new things to learn, new people to meet and new stamps to collect. I will never stop needing more!

Join me on my stamping journey and fulfill your needs too. Sign up for my newsletter, come to a class, follow me on social media, shop my online store https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net. Let’s create beauty and share love, one card at a time.