Penciled Pear for As You See It Challenge #326

 I've always loved those stamp sets where the images are like sketched still life elements, so when I saw the penciled pear set, I was determined to get it! This is the first time I've had time to use it, however, and I was not disappointed. I thought I would try an old technique of clear block stamping as a colouring and background tool for the pear, and I could plainly see the Thoughtful Designs Specialty Paper being used for one of the background layers. All this is for As You See It Challenges Sketch Challenge #326. Here's a look at the sketch from the challenge banner:

I thought the pear was perfect for this and since the circle could be any shape, I made it a deckled square (more on this later) so I could use the clear block stamping technique.

• I started with a Basic Black card base of 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", and scored at 4 1/4" on the long side.
• I added a layer of Basic White cardstock, 5 1/4" x 4' that is embossed horizontally using the Exposed Brick 3D embossing folder.
• Next is Basic Black matte 4 3/4" x 3 5/8" and a piece of the Thoughtful Patterns Specialty DSP, 4 5/8" x 3 1/2".
• On a piece of Basic White cardstock, I inked up a clear block D with Old Olive ink and stamped it off a couple of times until it wasn't so solid and dark. Then I spritzed the block with some alcohol to wet it and stamped it on the cardstock. 
• Once that was dry, I stamped the pear in Memento Ink in the center of the background I had created.
• Using the size of Deckled Rectangle Die that could accommodate the width of the pear image I die cut the image in a rectangle. Then I shortened the rectangle to make a square by using one short end of the die to cut off the excess cardstock.
• I adhered this square to the card front.
• I stamped a splatter pattern from the Of Art & Texture stamp set in Old Olive ink after stamping off a couple of times. Then I stamped the sentiment from the Penciled Pear set over it in Memento ink.
• I die cut the sentiment with the smallest Deckled Rectangles die and added it using Dimensionals.
• I used some ombre Glimmer Dots I had in my stash as embellishments.

Are you starting to get itchy to start making Christmas cards? Well, the new Online Exclusives that are coming in July for you will help you out with that. Keep watching my Blog and my Facebook Page for samples.

If you live in Canada, and don't have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I'd love to be yours. I can help you with ideas, get you catalogues and provide you with Stampin' Up products. You can leave a message in the comments or contact me using any of the methods listed in the right side bar at the top of the page. You can shop with me from anywhere in Canada by clicking on the SHOP NOW button in the top menu or clicking on any of products below from my Online Store.

Product List

Penciled Pear Cling Stamp Set (English) [163526]	Of Art & Texture Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [162687]	Thoughtful Designs 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [163317]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Clear Block C [118486]	Exposed Brick 3 D Embossing Folder [161600]	Deckled Rectangles Dies [159173]
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653]	*Glitter Enamel Dots [146934]	Stampin' Seal [152813]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]

*Retired - no longer available for sale

I Love to Speed Stamp with Inspirational Sketches for AYSI #325!

 Ahh! Speed stamping! Have I mentioned how much I love it? No?? That's because I don't really! It's too fraught with stress for me and that makes me do things that ordinarily wouldn't happen, causing chaos! Does anyone hear me? However, I've done it often enough now, that I know how to avoid the pitfalls and have it go fairly smoothly. I just don't attempt anything that I know will set me up for failure, or major anxiety at the very least. Our latest Challenge at As You See It is a Speed Stamping one, as you may have guessed, and the theme is Thank You. Check out our Challenge Banner:

The deal is you have to create a card front in 10 minutes or less. You'd be best to use a timer, so you can give us your exact time when you finish. 

Here's the deal: You can plan your card out in your head, gather all the materials you'll need, but the moment you start to cut, stamp, ink up, etc., you must start the timer and finish before 10 minutes is up.

It can really get the adrenaline rushing, especially in those last few moments, when you are trying to decide if you can squeeze in a few embellishments or ribbon.

Here's a closer look at my 10 min. card:

• I found a colour combination that I love, when doing this card: Gray Granite and Lemon Lolly. Don't you think they work well together?
• On a Gray Granite card base, I've added a Lemon Lolly layer. I used two dies from the Spotlight on Nature bundle to stamp my focal image and then matte it. The hardest thing about speed stamping with those Spotlight dies: I didn't have time to stop and clean the paper out of the one when I was in the middle of the speed stamping. I had to wait until I was all finished! I usually clean them out right after using them so I don't forget.
• The focal image is that adorable bird from the Inspirational Sketches stamp set. I stamped him in Gray Granite and then coloured in his breast area using Lemon Lolly Stampin' Blends markers. I also used Light Petal Pink for his legs and beak.
• I had a label or two left over from my catalogue launch on Saturday, so I used one for the sentiment from the Inspirational Sketches stamp set, stamped in Gray Granite.
• Both the focal image layers and the sentiment were added to the card front using dimensionals.
• I had about a minute left, so I grabbed some Basic Gray and Smoky Slate Pearls to add to the design for a more finished look.

I finished with exactly 37 seconds left, which means it took me 9 minutes and 23 seconds to make the card.

During June, select Stamp & Die bundles will be an extra 10% off. Bonus!! And not only that, but our Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machines will also be 10% off, if you don't have one yet. The big one is the best, but if you can't manage that yet, the Mini Cut & Emboss Machine can manage most of our dies and a few embossing folders - the tiny ones. This could be the time!!

If you live in Canada, and don't have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I'd love to be yours. I can help you with ideas, get you catalogues and provide you with Stampin' Up products. You can leave a message in the comments or contact me using any of the methods listed in the right side bar at the top of the page. You can shop with me from anywhere in Canada by clicking on the SHOP NOW button in the top menu or clicking on any of products below from my Online Store.

Product List

Inspirational Sketches Cling Stamp Set (English) [162684]	Gray Granite 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146983]	Lemon Lolly 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [161720]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Gray Granite Classic Stampin' Pad [147118]
Lemon Lolly Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [161673]	Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154893]	Spotlight On Nature Dies [163580]	Unbounded Love Dies [163383]	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653]
Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [150673]	Multipurpose Liquid Glue [110755]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]	Mini Glue Dots [103683]