Stamparatus Fun!

STAMPARATUS FUN!

I have to admit – sometimes, new tools can intimidate me. Which is why I kept finding ‘other’ things to do, rather than start using my Stamparatus when I first got it – back in March! Now that I’ve started using it, I wish I hadn’t waited!

It’s easy, it’s versatile -and it’s fun to use! Oh my gosh – when I think of all the crooked sentiments I’ve stamped in the past 2 months….

MAKING A CIRCLE WITH SQUARES

Did you know that you can make a circle by using squares? It’s true! I saw a project that my friend and fellow demonstrator, Susan of Susan Stamps made, using her Stamparatus. She made a wreath!! And then another of my friends & fellow demonstrator (and friend of Susan’s) Buffy made a wreath with her Stamparatus – and said that Susan had sent her a template on how to do it. Well – that was it – I had to know! Luckily, Susan is a very kind and generous friend, and sent me her templates! There’s a whole story behind the mailing of said templates – but I’m digressing enough in this post, so I’ll save it for another time!

So once the templates arrived, I decided to start playing… Here’s a couple of pictures of how the templates look, and how your circle, or wreath, is created.

In this picture, you can see that I’ve already stamped 4 of the dandelion fluffs (that’s what I call them; maybe they’re Queen Anne’s Lace). You can also see that the template, cut from Window sheet-type material, has 2 squares cut in it; one in the middle, then 2nd one angled in the middle of the first.

HOW IT WORKS

First, you cut your cardstock to fit in the opening of the square – this one is 3 3/4″. Place your cardstock in the square opening, place your stamp where you want it to stamp, then press one of the Stamparatus platforms down onto the stamp. Ink up the stamp, then stamp onto the cardstock. After the first stamp, lift and rotate your cardstock to the next opening in the template, which will be one of the angled openings. Stamp again…and repeat!

By continuing this pattern all around the cardstock, you’ve created a circle!

You can see in the above picture that I’m halfway ’round the circle.

To see Susan’s latest ‘wreath’ created with the Fruit Basket set CLICK HERE – it’s adorable! Buffy recently made one using the new Varied Vases stamp set – she went all out, and made multiple circles! Check it out HERE.

After practicing with this retired set (Falling for You), I decided to try my hand at making a card with the retiring Garden in Bloom. I’m really going to miss this set! 🙁

GARDEN IN BLOOM

I made a circle of butterflies and bees! Read the details – you’ll find I used some NEW products on this card!

DETAILS

Of course, I used Susan’s templates with the Stamparatus to stamp the butterflies and bees in a circle. Each were stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I then went back with the 2nd step stamp for each – this is where the new products come in. I stamped the butterflies in Grapefruit Grove and the bees in Pineapple Punch – both new In Colors. The sentiment, also from the Garden in Bloom stamp set, is stamped in Granny Apple Green, a new colour in the Brights Collection.

The card base is Granny Apple Green cardstock. Next is a strip of Grapefruit Grove cardstock vertically down the middle, attached with Multipurpose Liquid Glue. On top of that, I layered a strip of Share What You Love Specialty Designer Series Paper. The one end is punched with the Banner Triple Punch, to create tails. It’s attached with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Finally, the image panel is layered on top, with more Dimensionals.

These bright colours have me feeling very spring-like; and for once, the weather is cooperating!

ORDER YOUR RETIRING FAVOURITES BEFORE THEY’RE GONE!

As I mentioned, this Garden in Bloom stamp set is on the Retiring List. Stamp sets are guaranteed available until May 25th; after that, they’re ‘while supplies last’ only. Do yourself a favour, and grab this one before it’s gone!

Order in my online store 24/7, by clicking on the product images below. Of course, the new products can only be ordered starting June 1st – except for the new In Colors – you can get them now!

Thanks for having a look today! I hope you’ll be inspired to get  yourself the Stamparatus on June 1st, along with some of the other new products. Please leave a comment – I’d love to hear your thoughts!