Use And Care Of Your Share Sunshine Digital Stamps
As a rubberstamper, you are aware of the use and care of your physical stamps, red rubber or photopolymer. You know what inks and techniques work best for flawless images. You understand which cleaner to use for a specific application. And Storage 101: please keep those photopolymers out of the direct sunlight!
If you are new to digital stamps, as I am, then you may be wondering where to start and what to do. How will I put my printer to best use? How will I store all the bits and pieces of my digital stamps? I have answers!
Your Share Sunshine Digital Stamps
Purchase Share Sunshine Digital Stamp PDF Download
In Part I of this series, I provided a link to purchase the Share Sunshine Digital Stamp Set, part of the Making A Difference program thru Stampin’ Up!. This digital stamp set is a charity fundraiser for COVID-19. After purchase, you may instantly download the digital file and print out your stamp collection.
Print Tips For Share Sunshine PDF Download
This collection is 15 pages of stamps with images and sentiments both funny and thoughtful for social distancing. Pages 1 and 2 are instructional and list coordinating products for use with the digital stamps. I recommend printing these first 2 pages on regular copy/printer paper (don’t waste good cardstock on them!).
You will want a printer with color ink in addition to black. All of the images come in black options as well as pre-determined color options. This provides a great mix of both.
I printed out 2 copies immediately. If you have the cardstock and ink, this could be a future time-saver. With so many images on hand, I won’t need to start my computer, search my files, start my printer, etc to use one sentiment on a card.
As with any printer, you can choose a specific page to print instead of the entire document. If you fall in love with a particular digital stamp this is a great option. And you will save printer ink too!
Keep in mind, if you use a different brand of cardstock for printing (perhaps a cheaper one, like I do) and intend to use this digital stamp with your premium cardstock (like I did), the colors may be off. You will need to print on the good paper, or use the cheap paper (as needed) on your card. Lesson learned by me!
Binder Storage Solution For Share Sunshine Digital Stamps
I am a keeper of binders. Storage at my fingertips. I have a vast collection of white binders on hand, and lots of sheet protectors. The continuity of white in my craft room keeps things beautifully in order.
I placed pages 1 and 2, the instructional sheets, back to back as the first page in my 3-ring binder, using 1 sheet protector. Next, I placed the fully intact digital stamp pages 3-17 in their own sheet protectors individually. The Share Sunshine Digital Stamps have page numbers on the bottom that coordinate with specific products per pages 1-2.
As the images and sentiments are cut apart, I place the unused stamps in the page protector on the backside of the full coordinating page. As your full page of digital stamps dwindles, you may want to add a slip of paper with the page number into the protector. Or, you could add a sticker to the front of each page with the corresponding number as well. And lastly, there is always the option to print more pages from your digital stamp file!
My binder will need a gorgeous index label and colorful front cover insert. This will be on my list of things to do, and soon! Meanwhile, I have been busy creating cards with the Share Sunshine Digital Stamp Set, and here are my latest efforts:
So…I Finished Netflix
This card represents what many of us have been doing to pass the time of social distancing. Couch potatoes, happily entertained by Netflix and the like.
I thought this important announcement should be broadcast in cinema style. So, I reached for the retired stamp set, Marquee Messages. I used the Night Of Navy sentiments, and that made my card base choice easy. Bright and bold colors, Poppy Parade, Call Me Clover and Daffodil Delight round out the team.
Designer Elements in gold give this card a red carpet, award winning style. In fact, the circular pieces used here evoke movie reels of old. And I took advantage of the new Black Dimensionals when lifting my sentiment outlined in Night Of Navy to the card front. White Dimensionals would have stood out, in a bad review kind of way.
Wish This Were A Real In Person Hug!
This adorable pink dinosaur wants to share hugs. In fact, many of us want to share hugs. We can’t wait for the opportunity to do so. Let’s not make hugging extinct!
The Dino Days Stamp Set and coordinating Dino Dies are current Stampin’ Up! products. Often times, we see use of these dinosaurs in blues and greens. In my card, I fancied a pink dino. Blushing Bride and Flirty Flamingo met with Old Olive and Soft Seafoam.
I punched out the Share Sunshine Digital Stamp sentiment using the Everyday Label Punch. To create the green layer behind it, I punched again in Old Olive CS and cut it in half. I then adhered each section, top and bottom to the back of the sentiment, letting the color peek around.
The sweet checkered pattern paper is from the Subtles 6×6″ DSP Collection. I added the Woven Threads Sequins using glue dots left over from a Paper Pumpkin Kit. Those particular glue dots are smaller than the typical ones, and work so well with sequin application.
I Can’t Wait To Social UN-Distance With You
Perfect sentiment for those ready to end social distancing. I searched my stamp stacks to look for cute critters who are enjoying each other’s company. Runners-up in selection but not used were groups of assorted animals gathered in the stamp sets: From The Herd and We Must Celebrate.
But, retired stamp set, Bella & Friends, won the So Cute It Had To Be Used On This Card award. When I chose the sentiment from the Share Sunshine Digital Stamp Set in color, Mint Macaron and Pretty Peacock were natural go-withs.
I liked the embossing folder, Mosaic 3D, as it brought to mind the turtle’s shell. The checkered pattern DSP from the Subtles 6×6″ Collection was die cut using the Nested Stitched Labels Dies. White Perfect Accents and White Bakers Twine round out the embellishments.
Everything Will Be Okay
Not all of the stamps in the Share Sunshine Digital Stamp Set are funny. Some are poignant and thoughtful. This sentiment is a perfect example of one (of several) that can be used at any time.
I wanted to mimic nature in neutral colors for this card. I pulled out the stamp set, Peaceful Place, and stamped the trees and leaves from it. Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Highland Heather combine to keep this card calm.
As I choose embossing folders for my cards, I like to add to my card’s story. Pinewood Planks 3D with its wood grain was the perfect choice. I punched the sentiment out using the Story Label Punch. A hint of Linen Thread and retired Enamel Dots do not distract on this reassuring card.
The Digital Fun Continues
It is always exciting as a papercrafter to try something new. I am enjoying my experimentation with the Share Sunshine Digital Stamp Set, and I hope that you are able to learn with me as well.
If you are inspired by any of my projects and need Stampin’ Up! supplies, please stop by my online shop, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net, at any time. And be sure to follow up with me as I continue to share tips, techniques and samples in this ongoing 3 part blog series. I would love to know which card is your personal favorite!