Mother's Day is coming up, and with the Two-Step Into Spring promotion going on I thought it was quite appropriate to have a project using the Rose Is A Rose set.
This card holds special meaning for me. It was during a workshop last year featuring this card that I sprained my ankle on the way to the bathroom right before I began my presentation. *insert your own two-stepping joke here* I spent the entire workshop with my leg on a chair and everyone handing me my tools as I needed them. I may have passed out from the pain at one point, hard to say, it was all a blur. You'd have to ask those who attended (waves to Peggy & friends). Ahhh, good times!
OK—Enough reminiscing!
Two-Step Roses & The Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
I love how the two images of this set combine to create a very realistic looking flower. I stamped the inside, bolder images in Regal Rose, and the outside images in Rose Red for depth. So pretty! Even the leaves layer wonderfully with Kiwi Kiss (now retired) and Old Olive!
Now, I know what you're thinking…(besides "Oh, I really miss Kiwi Kiss"). You're thinking that you have to stay away from those horrible two-step stamps because, "I can never get the #@%& images to line up."
Well, there are two solutions to this problem, and I'm hoping that one of them will help you get past your trepidation!
- Rely on your unique mixture of luck and skill. Stamp it. Cheer if they are perfectly lined up, or accept it as "unique" and "artsy" if it's crooked. Let it go.
- Use the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig. <<<my preferred method for perfection!
The Stamp-A-Ma-Jig is one of those must-have tools for those of you who want your stamped images to be perfect and straight and centered evenly every single time!
I found this handy video tutorial by Abi Bundy, from Cornwall Crafty Stamper – UK, to show you just how easy it is to use. Coincidentally, she uses the Rose Is A Rose set! It's like I planned it! Bonus:she's got a cool British accent!
See how easy it is?! Think about how easy it would be to align letters for your scrapbook title. No more ruining your awesome card by finishing it with a crookedly stamped greeting. Trendy Trees would have their trunks in place; Greenhouse Garden flowers would be attached to their stems, All In The Family stick kids would own their arms and legs! You gotta have one of these!
TIP: At Convention, they recommended creating your own permanent imaging sheets (rather than using the plastic one that comes with it) for stamps you need aligned all the time (like alphabets and two-step stamps). Cut out a square of Vellum Card Stock, and use each of the four corners with the Jig to stamp four different stamps, then stick it in your stamp set case. You'll be ready to go the next time you use the set! What a time-saver!
I used the Circle Scissors Plus to create my layered circles for this card. It will cut circles from paper or card stock, in any size between 1" and 6", without wiggly cuts or jagged edges. You can even cut rings of card stock in a variety of widths!
I admit that I wasn't quite sold on this product at first, because my paper would always move as I cut. But I discovered a little Dotto repositionable adhesive solves that problem for me. Now I love it!
Demonstrator Angie Kennedy Juda, who has a marvelous blog called Chic'n Scratch, has created a tutorial on making circles and rings. (I love not having to re-invent the wheel…)
If you want to try out either one of these cool tools, I'd be happy to feature them at your next workshop! Contact me today to schedule a fun stamping event for you and your friends!
~Angie
Beautiful card Angie! Can just see you demonstrating with your leg propped up on a chair 🙂