Can you believe it's mid summer???  Time is so warped with staying home for the last 5 months that I am all confused.  I told my daughter yesterday that she looked like she was on summer vacation (she was in her p.j.s in the afternoon playing Animal Crossing, her fun video game).  She said "I am on summer vacation".  I am so mixed up since she has been home since mid March.  I almost told her to do her homework 🤣

 

With the virus still rampant in the news, I hope you and your family are well, safe and healthy.  Stay home, be creative & make things.  I am trying to figure out what to pre-order from the Holiday catalog so I can show you samples of projects for Christmas in July.  Stay tuned!

 

Tonight is the second option of my Zoom Mystery Stamping.  If you would like to join us at 7pm EST, please email me by 6 pm so I can send you the Zoom invite and supply list (I am sure you have what you need at home already).

 

 

Are you looking for a cool background technique? I have a fun one for you today that involves masking/painters tape and ink pads. This background looks best with an image stamped in black, like a silhouette. You can vary this technique a little bit with different color choices and darkness levels. Another tip I will show you is how to get a very dark black image using a Stamparatus. Click the link to see how to make your own Silhouette Cards with Masking Tape Background - 

https://mailsomethingpretty.com/silhouette-cards-with-masking-tape-background/

 

 

I used the Stamparatus to stamp the images in the above cards.  I actually stamped the images three times each to get such a dark and bold look.  The Stamparatus makes re-stamping very easy because the stamps & paper are exactly where you want them - no shifting and no guessing.

 

I thought it was a good time to showcase the Stamparatus, 146276, $49, p. 164, not only because it is a very helpful and versatile tool, but because you can also earn a $5 Bonus Days coupon if you purchase one (technically you have to purchase one more thing with it because the Stamparatus is $49).

 

Here are some videos Stampin' Up! created showing you all the ways you can use the Stamparatus:

 

1.  Stamparatus Technique Series: Video #1 Precision Placement

 

2.  Stamparatus Technique Series: Video #2 Aligning with Red Rubber Stamps

 

3.  Stamparatus Technique Series: Video #3 Creating Patterns with the Hinge-Step Technique

 

4.  Stamparatus Technique Series: Video #4 Stamping on Pre-Die Cut Pieces

 

 

 

For each $50 you spend in products, you earn a $5 coupon to use in August!