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Monday 4 January 2010

...January 2010 Release Day 2 Big Man type hugs to you!!


Welcome to the second day of samples for the new clear photopolymer stamps releasing tomorrow! I know, I told Bonnie the 4th but there's something I really need to show you before I can open the sets for sale...forgive me? LOL!!

The first card here makes great use of the knitted border from the Faux Fun set. You have Bonnie to thank for this stamp - it was Ms Bonnie Sharp that suggested a knitted background to me first, it just happened to tie in nicely with an idea I had for lace border stamps too, and Faux Fun was born!!!

There are 3 'knitted' stamps in Faux Fun, a huge background/border stamp that you can see stamped down the entire length of the card in the first pic.

The second is a small rectangular shape, also in the knitted pattern but in a slightly heavier 'weight'. This is good for creating a panel for a focal point, like I have done in this card.

The third is a little knitted stitch line that's good for accents, you can see it used under the sentiment 'Big hugs' from Sweethearts.

This is a stellar background for all sorts of things - Man cards! baby cards! Christmas cozy cards!! Oh come on, we only have 350 odd days to get ready!! lol!



This brings me to Sweethearts. I have included a number of 'plain' heart shaped stamps in the set. I have a very specific reason for wanting these. Sure patterned hearts are pretty but they might not always match my project. So, using a plain heart and a 'stamp kissing' technique, you can always be sure to have a patterned heart to match your project!!!!

For my focal point above I inked up the knitted pattern stamp and then kissed a plain heart stamp against it to pick up some of the ink in a knitted pattern.

Then I stamped it on the cream card and used a EK success punch to punch it out, The result was that it looked like it was a knitted heart stamp!!! I'm hooked!!!

I did it again with a smaller heart, I had to trim this by hand as my smaller punch hasn't arrived yet! lol! but you can see the possibilities!!!! Use these plain heart stamps with other background stamps to get similar effects, I'm itching to try it with the herringbone border from Little Box labels!!!!!

Now, there are a couple of different ways to try this technique.

Above I stamped with the heart, but below I stamped the rectangular knitted panel that was left after I 'kissed' off the heart - there is a very subtle lightening of ink in the centre of the rectangle, a sort of ghost heart - very suitable for the interior 'Guess who?' sentiment!

You can see it better if you move your eyes back from the computer screen! LOL!


This is the effect you get if you ink up the heart fully BEFORE kissing it against the inked up knitted pattern! it kind of musses up the pattern and gives a lovely dense pattern version of your original pattern! What fun!


OOps inky fingers...lol


Another thing I love to do with solid stamps is to just ink up the outline like I did with the heart on the inside of this card!



And I'll leave you for now with a wee Valentines treat bag I made using the Lace pattern embossed in white. I just love that wee touch of lace for Valentines and other lovey dovey things! I expect my Mum will see it all over her Mothers day cards this year too! LOL


The heart was punched with the EK success heart punch mentioned above and I then used it as a template a drew around it onto white card. I cut it out with pinking shears to make a dinky wee mat that helps 'lift' it from the red background!


Hope they tickle!

24 comments:

  1. Love those knit bg stamps Claire! as well as the purple and aqua combination - will a template be coming for that wonderful lace adorned purse???!!!

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  2. Gorgeous! Fantastic projects Claire. Love that red Valentines treat bag :)

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  3. Of course it's all wonderful -- I've never been able to grasp knitting, and now I don't have to! I love the idea of inking just the outside edges of solid stamps. That will be fun to play with.

    Thank you for all the Waltzingmouse goodness you bring our way!!

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  4. Ohhhh! Really love the purple & aqua card, all the best for the release :)
    P.S kettle is on..........

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  5. This is fabulous Claire - all of it! and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that knitted background!! I am jumping up and down, squealing, clapping and trying to type at the same time! I'm with Julia - would really love to see a template!!

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  6. O Claire, you and the government make it so difficult for me to save money - well good, so I see myself spending it - guess you will have a share in it *sight*

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  7. I love that beautiful red bag! Gorgeous!!! Your knit stamps are too cute, so cuddly!

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  8. I am speechless! Oh how I love background stamps. The knitted pattern is just beautiful and I *love* how you kissed the plain hearts! Can't wait to try this one out!

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  9. Claire, you're going to have to stop making these gorgeous stamp sets because I'm going to be very poor unless you do! Wonderful wonderful, and I can't wait to see the full reveal. XO

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  10. Ding Dong, there goes the budget! I love (write that 14 more times!)
    the lace stamp and will probably use it on virtually everything. In fact, I love making guys cards with a touch of frill just so they know it came from me.
    The knitted stamp & your kissing technique (great ghost idea!!) are both wonderful and oh so inspiring.
    Thank you Claire!

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  11. OK, I'm hooked on your knitted stamp background. And I love the lace too! When do all these lovely stamps become available?

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  12. Claire, you are so amazing. I can already think of lots of uses for the knit bg stamp! And love the kissing technique-must try that. But the star of this post is the little red bag--so, so sweet--love it!

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  13. What lovely samples! I love the kissing technique being revisited...and I love the pun of the *kissing* with the Valentine day stamps ;o)

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  14. So adorable!! Love the turquoise and purple!!

    On another note. I can't find how to contact you. I would love to see a stamp set for different occasions that fit the Sizzix Scallop bag die cut. That would be a great seller!

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  15. What a FABulous background stamp!! I love the knitting stamp - very cool Claire!! You are coming up with such wonderful stamps!! :)

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  16. Oh my GOODNESS, Claire, these stamps are awesome! And a knitted background stamp? That IS the greatest invention possibly since sliced bread...go Bonnie, go Claire! I can't wait to see the whole sets, I am already in love!

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  17. This is GREAT, i can't wait to see the rest of these sets.

    Hugs Yvon.

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  18. Oh my Claire!! Beautiful projects! Stunning! The knit stamps are fantastic--what a great idea! do you think you could share a template for the red and lace treat bag? I can't wait for these sets!! You're a genius!

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  19. jaw dropping. wow, you rock. cannot wait to see the whole release!!!

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  20. Gorgeous -- love these projects -- and yesterday's chocolates too...mmmmm...chocolate. GEEZ louise...I need to step BACK from the chocolate...lol. FANTASTIC new sets coming out Claire - FANTASTIC!

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  21. WOW Claire! Nothing 'faux' about this fun :) I looooooooove the knitted background (swoon). You have really brought something totally unique and wonderful to the stamping arena!

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  22. What awesome projects and techniques! I adore the lace border stamp. Thanks so much Claire!

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  23. did i miss the release? if not hurry please.

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  24. I am *so* pleased to see the knitting themed stamps. They are very hard to come by, as I am constantly on the lookout for them to make tags for my knitting friends. So THANK YOU for that, Claire!

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Thanks for taking the time to comment, :) I read them all and I appreciate you taking time to visit!