In the Wilderness

Hi Everyone!  Today I’m sharing another one of my favourite stamp sets that is on the retired list: “In the Wilderness”  I love this set because it’s perfect for the men in my life and you can never go wrong with nature and animals!  Look at all the great images in this stamp set:

This is the stamp set I featured at all my stamp clubs this month and the technique I demonstrated was called ‘Faux Leather’ – it was a BIG hit!

This Faux Leather technique is really easy but it has a big WOW factor!  Get some tan coloured fun foam and cut it to the size you want.  Ink up your stamp in black stazon and set aside.  Heat foam with embossing gun (aka heat tool) until soft and pliable and then press stamp firmly into foam.  Hold for a moment.  When you remove the stamp you’ll have a nice deep impression in the foam.  Then use your sponge daubers or stamping sponges to apply ink around the edges – start with More Mustard, then Cajun Craze and then Early Espresso.  If you don’t have these colours you need them! I use them all the time!  The key to making this look like leather (in my opinion) is to leave a bit of space around the image uninked.  For the buffalo sample above I cut my foam large enough to fold over and hot glue onto a piece of cardboard and then I sponged on my ink – this REALLY looks like leather.  I have used this technique with other stamps too and they’ve turned out great! Give it a try!

On another note – have you gone through the retired accessories list yet?  If not, you’ll want to grab the list, your catalogue and highlighter and mark everything that’s going so that you don’t miss out on getting your favourite items before they’re gone for good!  These items are discounted too so you’ll be able to save $$$ on your purchases too! You’ve got to love a deal, hey?  The 2010-2012 In Colours are going and so are all the Designer Series Papers, Simply Scrappin’ Kits, etc – so stock up while you can!  You can place your order through my online store (and you’ll save even more for choosing me as your demonstrator!) – just click HERE.

I know the retiring stamp and accessories lists are really big and really overwhelming, but I have to tell ya, I am stinkin’ excited about the new catalogue and seeing everything that Stampin’ Up! has in store for us!!!  Word on the street is that we MAY get the new catalogue while we’re in Disney World with Stampin’ Up! this week!! Between Disney and the catty, (and a serious lack of sleep), I’m going to be bouncing off the walls!  LOL

On that note, I’m going to get some more coffee while I wait for my flight to Halifax (we’re in Montreal at the moment).  We had an awesome visit with my family and friends back home in Comox this past week and it was nice to have family meals, Grandma’s baking (she spoiled us), watch the snowbirds practice their routines, I
took my hubby to all my favourite spots, and I even managed to get my haircut by my favourite hair stylist of all time!  We’ll have one day at home before Stampin’ Up! whisks us away to Florida to enjoy a week of fun in Disney World.  I have to say, I am feeling very grateful (despite being sleep deprived at the moment) – life is definitely GOOD!

HAPPY STAMPING!