SSS Be Creative , Brush Strokes Stencil

 *This post contains affiliate links to Simon Says Stamp.

Hi all!  I've got a card to share today using the new Brush Strokes stencil from Simon's Be Creative release.

This is one of those basics stencils that I think I'll be reaching for again and again.  There are lots of great examples of how you can create really wonderful backgrounds with the brushstrokes, but I thought I would do something a little different.

I started by creating a background using the stencil and a several different Pawsitively Saturated inks.  I moved the stencil around, sometimes turning it 180 degrees, etc. to get a really random inking of brushstrokes.  I'm lazy, so I did not clean the stencil between colors.  For something like this it works as long as you don't mix complementary colors, you just get a little more variety in the colors than if you cleaned between.

Once I completed my panel, I used the outline stamp from Printmaking Postage, and then die cut the stamps.

This was a fun way to 'color' my postage images.

For the sentiment, I used the XL Stacked Greetings set.   The sentiment was partially stamped and white embossed twice to create two different blocks that were then arranged with the postage stamps to create a grid layout.  Each of the pieces was then adhered to a white cardstock panel.

Because there was a little extra space at the bottom of the panel, I added a bit of stenciling, again using the Brush Strokes stencil, to balance things out and add some extra color.

This was super easy to do, and a great way to add color to your images when you're just not in the mood to actually color.

SSS Printmaking Postage

 *This post contains affiliate links to Simon Says Stamp.

Happy Wednesday!  I have a couple cards to share today featuring my latest Printmaking set, Printmaking Postage.

This first card is pretty basic.  I stamped the outline (using Versa Clair), and then each of the subsequent layers using Seafoam, Celery, Lemonade and Peachy.

To add a bit of texture and depth, I added some simple coloring/highlights with colored pencils.

The outline image (still in my stamping platform) was then restamped over top to crisp things up.  

The sentiment, also from the set, was also stamped with Versa Clair.

I decided to step things up for this next card.

I started by stamping the image as before, but this time I used Morning, Heather, Twilight, and Earl.

Next, I cut another panel of white cardstock, placed the coordinating die in the center, and die cut.

This created windows for my stamped images.  Popping up this piece over the stamped panel would add some great drama, but to step things up even further, I decided to make a shaker card.

It's been ages since I've created a shaker, but it really is pretty easy.  I cut a piece of transparency paper slightly wider than my die cut openings, added tape runner around the back side of the opening, and adhered the transparency over the opening.  

I then created a little 'well' around the stamped images using foam adhesive and sprinkled my shaker contents inside.

The window piece was then lined up and adhered over top.

Super easy, and I love the look.