Were coming to the end of the Stampin Up! 2017 Annual Catalog and 2018 Occasions Catalog. This is a great time to look at the retiring products list and make sure you have the stamp sets you can’t live without. The set I’m featuring today, Cozy Cottage, is a hostess set available until May 31, 2018. This set, valued at $20 is available for $12. Hostess sets are an easy way to add to your collection economically and can only be purchased with a qualifying order.
For these cards, I used Always Artichoke and Chocolate Chip cardstock as the main color palate.
For the first card, I stamped the cottage image and the wall image in Always Artichoke on the same color cardstock to create visual texture. Then I stamped the image again on Very Vanilla using Basic Black ink. I cut a section out of the image with a Stitched Shape die and then colored it in with Stampin’ Write markers.
By placing the colored cut out over the texture layer, using Dimensionals, I spot-lighted the image. This is a cool technique that can be done with almost any stamp, either layering the color on top or with more effort, punching a shape and layering the colored image below.
I sponged some Chocolate Chip ink around the sentiment from the set that was stamped in the same color on Very Vanilla. The final detail was a couple of wraps of Jute Twine. You may notice a couple of extra trees on the sides of the card, I used a stamp from Lovely as a Tree to fill in some of the empty space. I’d probably omit that step if I made this card again.
The next card uses heat embossing which I love to do. It’s easy and it’s shiny. What’s not to love?
I stamped the cottage image in Versamark watermark ink. Then used Copper heat embossing powder. A few minutes with my Heat Tool and done. I did do some sponging with Chocolate Chip ink to create an aged feel to the layer.
The window in the Always Artichoke layer was created using the second to the largest Lots of Labels framelits. I mounted this layer on top of the stamped layer using Dimensionals.
The copper ribbon on the right-hand side was done in two pieces. I use glue dots to adhere the length at each edge of the card stock. Then I tie a bow with the ribbon while it’s still on the spool. I find I waste less ribbon and get a better bow than if I try to do this all in one piece. I adhere the bow to the ribbon with either a glue dot or some liquid Tombow. In this case, I used a glue dot. The sentiment is stamped in black on Very Vanilla and mounted on a strip of Always Artichoke that I sponged again with Chocolate Chip ink. The wood embellishments are from the March Paper Pumpkin kit. (Yet another reason to subscribe – leftover bits to play with.)
Here are the two cards together.
I hope you’re inspired to try some different techniques with a set in your stash. If you like this set and want it, contact me to book a party or place a qualifying order before May 31.