Tutorials And Techniques Archives - PageThe Maine Stamper

Bottled Happiness

June 23, 2022

Sending Cheer with the Bottled Happiness Bundle

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could ‘bottle happiness” and pass it along? As paper crafters, we have the ability to pass along happiness whenever we want. Our form of happiness is a cheerful card!

And now with the Bottled Happiness Stamp Set, and the Vintage Bottle Punch, it really is fun to shake things up! Of course, you don’t have to make a shaker card with the Bottled Happiness Bundle. But if you want to learn how, see my video tutorial here.

Bottled Happiness Stamp Set

The Bottled Happiness Stamp Set is photopolymer rather than cling red rubber. This makes it so easy to line up the leaves and flower stamps, used separately to create a beautiful image. Sometimes, however, photopolymer stamps can be a little difficult.

Has this ever happened to you? The first time you ink up a photopolymer stamp fresh from the stamp case? Splotchy coverage, at best, from the card on the left. After a quick fix, see how lovely the stamping is from the card on the right.

Images of the flowers from the Bottled Happiness Stamp Set

Quick Easy Fixes For Photopolymer

Here are some things you can do to get a great image with your photopolymer stamps. Try them when you stamp with them the very first time. And if you have ongoing issues, revisit this list.

Clean your stamp well. The Stampin’ Scrub is great for this. By cleaning your stamp, you are removing the “factory dust” or chemical residue from manufacturing.
Use a soft rubber eraser and gently scrub the stamp surface. This is similar to step 1. You will need to clean your stamp before using it with ink.
Ink up your stamp with VersaMark Ink, then immediately ink with your choice of color ink, and stamp. The VersaMark Ink provides a sticky type coating that the regular ink will cling to better.

Colorful Two Step Stamping Using Bottled Happiness

Did you notice that the flowers from the Bottled Happiness Stamp Set in this bouquet are multi-color? Of course, the leafy stamp is done separately. I found it so easy to line up the images to fit the greenery among the flowers. But you may be wondering how I got more than 1 color on my single flower stamp.

The answer is so simple: Sponge Daubers. I started with the lighter of the flower colors and daubed ink along the outer edges of my stamp. Next, I added in the darker color with another sponge dauber. If I overlapped the 2 ink colors, the result was perfectly pretty. Always go light to dark, in that order.

Inking the flower stamp from Bottled Happiness using sponge daubers.

Effervescent Elements to Shake It Up

A good shaker card needs something “shakeable”. The Effervescent Elements are whimsical little bubbles that are perfect for this job. The look like glass beads in the Vintage Bottle Shaker Dome. And they are oh so fun to play with.

But… a word of caution. These little balls are round and rolly. They will end up everywhere if you are not careful. I shared the best way to put them into the shaker dome in my cardmaking demo video.

Effervescent Elements for the Shaker Card.

Just Add Color

I love to change up a color combo on a card and recreate the same design. For my second Bottled Happiness card, I continued to use the same 6 x 6″ paper stack, Tea Boutique. I chose the lattice design in Starry Sky and mounted my designer series paper on a base of the same color.

Next, I chose a deeper shelf color, Soft Suede rather than the original Crumb Cake. I picked out some bright and bold flower and greens colors. But when it came to the ribbon, I struggled with my selection. In the end, I kept it very neutral and went with my favorite white ribbon!

Shaker card in a different color combination.

The Fun Never Ends

I think shaker cards are a lot of fun. They certainly provide some cheerful happiness. The inner kid in all of us demands that we grab this card and give it a shake!

Let me know if you prefer my original card in Petal Pink, or like my color swap card in Starry Sky. Every Wednesday, in my FaceBook Community, Positive PaperCrafters, the vote is on; join us there!

Shopping is always on too, in my online store. Stop in for your Bottled Happiness Bundle and save 10% automatically. Make sure you pick up the Vintage Bottle Shaker Domes and Effervescent Elements too. Then get busy playing with your own color combos. There is someone out there waiting for you to send them this card!

Best Butterflies

June 9, 2022

Finished card using the Best Butterfly Stamp Set and Build a Butterfly Dies.

Best Butterflies Bundle

Is there anything better than flowers and butterflies for card making? Maybe you agree with me, the more the merrier! In fact, I couldn’t wait to dive into the Best Butterflies Bundle, new in the Stampin’ Up! 2022-2023 Annual Catalog.

I was so eager to recreate (or C.A.S.E…copy and share everything, or in my situation, copy and selectively edit) the card shown on page 36 of the catalog. This was the card I picked out to do a live cardmaking demo on (see my video here). Best Butterflies Bundle, check. Cardstock, adhesive, dimensionals, of course. Designer Series Paper…ooppps.

Butterfly Kisses Designer Series Paper

I did not have the right designer series paper! This card is so cute and adorable using the Butterfly Kisses DSP. And I was missing that main ingredient.

As any good crafty person does, I improvised. I went thru the collections of papers I did have on hand. And when I discovered the Tea Boutique DSP was similar in color palette, I decided that selectively editing this card was the way to go!

Tea Boutique DSP Swap

Both of these fun 6 x 6″ paper packs are bright and colorful. The big difference is pretty obvious…one has butterflies (the theme of my Best Butterflies card!) and one has teacups. But, I needed the demure pattern side, and each of these packs provided that!

I began by comparing designer series paper colors used on the card I wanted to recreate to the paper I had on hand. Light purple, yes! Bright yellow, got it. A fun green print, a fantastic floral design…I had things I could work with.

Designer Series Paper Work-Arounds

Speaking of work-arounds, I had a couple of a-ha moments while making this card. Of course, they are in my making of video, but here are some notes:

Stamping on Designer Series Paper

I found that the floral pattern in my replacement pack of paper needed a little help. Very sadly, the paper was lacking in purple ink. I corrected this by using the dots stamp from the Best Butterflies Stamp Set, and adding in purple elements.

If you haven’t tried stamping on pattern paper before, you must! My best advice: look for patterns that have some white space in them already so that you are not competing with the original design. Also, use small image stamps. You will find this easier when filling in additional color.

Close up image of the Best Butterflies Card

Embossing on Designer Series Paper

According to the original sample in the catalog, the lower half of the butterfly was supposed to be yellow and white. My replacement dsp was just yellow. I die cut my upper and lower butterfly pieces using the Build a Butterfly Dies and my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine.

But when I put the 2 die cut pieces together to create my butterfly with the Crushed Curry body (complete with antennas!) the result was just too boring and bland. White embossing powder to the rescue! Fortunately, the Best Butterflies Stamp Set has images that work with the wings. I was able to change the pattern, and the look, of the lower half of my butterfly.

Best Butterfly before and after adding a stamped image and white embossing powder.

My Best Butterflies

In the end, my butterfly card turned out very nicely. Sure, I had to improvise a little, but I encourage you to do the same. It is hard to always have the supplies on hand needed to recreate a specific project. And if you are going thru your stash and find yourself short on something you just need to have, stop by my online store anytime.

Colorful Butterflies

Typically after my Make It Monday event, I follow up with a color swap card or two in my FaceBook Community, Positive PaperCrafters. I make the same design of my card, but switch up the color scheme. Take a look at my other card options, then let me know which one is your favorite!

Cards made with Best Butterflies Stamp Set and Build a Butterfly Dies

I am looking forward to playing with these beautiful butterflies again in the near future! Ready to try them out for yourself?

Shimmer Paste & The Poppies

June 2, 2022

Painted Poppies cards using Shimmer Embossing Paste

Painted Poppies Meet Shimmer Paste

You may not believe this, but when I opened my jar of Shimmer Embossing Paste, it was completely dried out. Yes, a very crumbly chunky powder greeted me when I lifted that secured lid.

Now, in my defense, I hadn’t used the Shimmer Paste in quite some time. Probably since my last play with it for my blog post on using stencils and paste.

I had kept the foam circular insert inside the jar lid. And the cap was screwed on tight. Still, I discovered that this paste was a desert inside. Not at all what I had in mind to showcase during my Make It Monday live card demo. I needed paste in a couple hours time…

Shimmer Paste Quick Fix

After a bit of online research, I determined I had 2 options for my dry Shimmer Paste. First: I could throw it away and order more. Or, Second: I could attempt a fix. At this point, I didn’t really have much to lose!

I took my jar of paste into the bathroom along with the largest palette knife. Using the knife, I scored thru the middle of the dry paste, sawing away til I reached the bottom of the jar. Next, I added a little water and started to work it in.

Adding water to embossing paste to make it useable again

Slowly, my paste started to come back to life. I found that the key was to continue to add small amounts of water and work it into the paste well before adding in more. When I had a good size of decent paste in the middle of my jar, I stopped.

Perfectly Pasted Painted Poppies

I had never used the Shimmer Paste as an overlay before. First, I stamped the poppy images from the Painted Poppies Stamp Set on Basic White Cardstock using Memento Black Ink. Next, I colored my flowers using Stampin’ Blends. Lastly, I used the Painted Labels Dies in the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine to die cut my flower images.

Coloring in the Painted Poppies stamped image uisng Stampin' Blends

Playing with the sparkly paste and the poppies was a lot of fun. The Shimmer Paste dried quickly, and although the paper bowed up for a short while, it relaxed flat for use. The effect is quite charming. In fact, I think this great technique could be used on any flowers that are stamped. And why stop at flowers? Let your imagination run wild.

Painted Poppies with Shimmer Paste Overlay

Poppies In Color

Did you know that the Painted Poppies Stamp Set has been around since January of 2020? If you have this stamp set and coordinating dies, try this new way to use them! One of my favorite things to do is create the same design, but switch up the colors.

Don’t have this amazing set yet? You will find it in my online stamping store. While you are there, check out the Matte Finish Embossing Paste and the Palette Knives. And if you don’t have a Silicone Craft Sheet, make sure to get one, it makes this messy technique manageable.

More Tips And Tricks…

Looking for more details on how I used the Shimmer Embossing Paste? Check out my card making video here, where I dish info as I go. And join my cardmaking community, Positive PaperCrafters, on FaceBook. My Tuesday Tool Tip showcased how I plan to keep my paste from drying out in the future. Hope to see you there!

Creating A Plaid Background With Ink

May 26, 2022

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

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:

Water Painters. Stampin’ Up! sells them in a 3 pack, with different size brush heads.
An Acrylic Block. Useful for more than holding stamps for stamping.
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!

Crafting Paper Shamrocks

March 15, 2022 2 Comments

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

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