Heartfelt Sympathy

Today I have two sympathy cards to share. The first card I used Multi-Step Lilies and Words of Comfort & Joy on the inside. The second card uses 3 Step Bitty Tulip Bouquet and the sentiment is from 3 Step Daisy.

   

To quote Forrest Gump, “That’s all I have to say about that.”

Please check out the beautiful winter scene card from Lynn McAuley.

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Lily Card – Stamps:  Multi Step Lilies, Big & Bold Swashes, (Sentiments): Words of Comfort & Joy, Other Important People, and 3 Step Hearts & Roses from Kitchen Sink Stamps.

Paper: Classic Crest Solar White, and Stardream Quartz from Neenah. Shimmery White, Certainly Celery, and Soft Sky from SU! Sponge edges with Olive Grove.

Inks: (all Memento Inks unless noted)

Lilies: (Flower) Step #5 – Rich Cocoa, Step #4 – London Fog, Step #3 – New Sprout, Step #2 – London Fog so 1x, Step #1 – Frost White (Color Box) 2x’s . (Leaves & Stem) Step #3 – Olive Grove, Step #2 – Pistachio, Step #1 – New Sprout.

Sentiment: Onyx Black (Versa Fine) followed by Tuxedo Black.

Swash: Pistachio. After stamping sentiment, stamp again with VersaMark and Kaleidoscope embossing powder. 

Embellishments: On flowers only – Rock Candy Stickles. Octagon & Scalloped Octagon Nestabilities from Spellbinders.

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Tulip Card – Stamps:  3 Step Bitty Tulip Bouquet and  3 Step Daisy (sentiment) from Kitchen Sink Stamps.

Paper: Classic Crest Stardream Quartz and Kunzite from Neenah. Shimmery White from SU!

Inks: (all Memento Inks unless noted)

Tulips: Step #4 – Elderberry, Step #3 – Grape Jelly, Step #2 – Sweet Plum, Lulu Lavender. Leaves & Stem: Step #4 – Northern Pine, Step #3 – Olive Grove, Step #2 – Pistachio, Step #1 – New Sprout.

Sentiment: Elderberry.

Embellishments: Silk lavender ribbon from my stash.

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Daisy in perfect alignment

I recently had a request for some suggestions for lining up the set, 3 Step Daisy. I thought some visuals would be helpful.

First, here is a card I did a while ago. As you can see the smaller daisy is certainly not lined up.

I was playing around and did this on purpose for a couple of reasons. 1)  I was trying to create a thin petal and fuller looking daisy and 2) to show that this set is one of the few multi-step sets form KSS that is pretty forgiving when it comes to lining up each step. Now, with that said, on to the visuals that will put your daisies in perfect alignment.

To begin, my suggestion is to start by stamping the center of the daisy (no number) in the darkest color you planning on using. This daisy center was stamped using Espresso Truffle (Memento).

 Yes, I am asking you to stamp in the opposite order and not follow the standard order of Steps 1, 2, 3 (you will have to trust me). The ink rule still applies. Smallest step number = lightest color ink. Largest step number = darkest color ink. Next, lining up Step #3.

When lining up the next stamp (Step #3), look for “peaks” and valleys” to help identify “target points” for positioning the stamp over of the previous image.

This example shows Step #3, image side down, over the previously stamped image. By stamping in reverse order, it is easier to see that step #3 creates an outline of space following the peaks and valleys around the top half of the daisy center. Because the spacing is evenly spaced around the peaks and valleys, this entire spot is used for lining up Step #3. Try and check at least 3 different spots to ensure the proper alignment. SIDE NOTE: This is what I really love about multi-step stamping with the MISTI, at this point, after I have positioned the next stamp (as seen above) exactly where it belongs, I just close the MISTI lid on top of the stamp. When I open the lid again, the stamp is now stuck to the lid in the perfect spot for stamping!

Step #3 was stamped using Potter’s Clay (Memento).

Next Step #2. This sample shows the following spots as target points for alignment: a set of dimples at the top of the “flat petal” (top of example), a long and narrow peak to the right of the “flat petal”, and a valley on the opposite side of the daisy (at the bottom of example).

Step #2 was stamped using Morocco (Memento).

The last stamp is Step #1. In addition to positioning the stamp as the arrows indicate the target points, look for a slight “space” outline at the top of the “flat petal” and around the solid petals at the bottom. This space should remain the same thickness at the top and at the bottom of the daisy.

Step #1 was stamped using Tangelo (Memento).

This is the end result when finished. I think stamping in reverse order really helps to SEE where each stamp fits by surrounding the previous step.

Let me know what you think. Which order do you prefer to multi-step stamp … standard order or reverse order? Please let me know if this tutorial helped you with lining up your 3-Step Daisy stamps.

A PDF of this tutorial can be found HERE.

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Card above – Stamps:  3 Step Daisy from Kitchen Sink Stamps.

Paper: Classic Crest Classic Cream from Neenah. Always Artichoke and Crushed Curry from SU!.

Inks: (all Memento Inks unless noted)

Large Daisy: Step #1 – Dandelion, Step #2 – Tangelo, Step #3 – Rhubarb Stalk, Center: Tuxedo Black. 

Leaves: Step #2 – Cottage Ivy, Step #1 – Bamboo Leaves.

Small Daisy: Step #2 – Rhubarb Stalk, Step #2 (again and shifted) – Tangelo, Step #1 – Dandelion, Center: Tuxedo Black.

Ladybug: Step #2 – Tuxedo Black, Step #1 – Rhubarb Stalk.

Sentiment: Northern Pine.

Embellishments: True Thyme Ribbon from SU!.

A​ bouquet of bookmarks

So, I went a little bookmark crazy! Today I have three of them and each stamped with a different flower. I used the stamp sets: 3 Step Daisy, 3 Step Hearts & Roses, and Multi-Step Giant Sunflowers. Don’t they make a lovely bouquet when all together?

I used vellum to create a center rectangle in the center of the rose bookmark so the type would read better over the roses.

Thanks for stopping by and have an inky day!

Please check out the beautiful card from Lynn McAuley.

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Stamps:  3 Step Daisy, 3 Step Hearts & Roses, Multi Step Giant Sunflower, and Vintage Words from Kitchen Sink Stamps.

Paper: Classic Crest Classic Cream from Neenah.

Inks: (all Memento Inks unless noted)

Sunflower Bookmark: 

Yellow Sunflower: Step #5 – Espresso Truffle, Step #4 – Toffee Crunch, Step #3 – Peanut Brittle, Step #2 – Cantaloupe, Step #1 – Dandelion. 

Yellow/Orange Sunflower: Step #5 – Espresso Truffle, Step #4 – Rich Cocoa, Step #3 – Potter’s Clay, Step #2 – Tangelo, Step #1 – Dandelion. 

Red/Orange Sunflower: Step #5 – Espresso Truffle, Step #4 – Toffee Crunch, Step #3 – Potter’s Clay, Step #2 – Tangelo, Step #1 – Dandelion + sponge Rhubarb Stalk around edges. 

Leaves: Step #3 – Grape Jelly, Step #2 – Cottage Ivy, Step #1 – Pear Tart. 

Rose Bookmark:

Rose: Step #4 – Rhubarb Stalk, Step #3 – Love Letter, Step #2 – Rose Bud, Step #1 – Angel Pink. 

Leaves: Step #3 – Cottage Ivy, Step #2 – Bamboo Leaves, Step #1 – Pear Tart.

Sentiment on vellum: Onyx Black (VersaFine).

Daisy Bookmark: 

Blue Daisy: Step #3 – Paris Dusk, Step #2 – Bahama Blue, Step #1 – Summer Sky, Flower Center: Tuxedo Black. 

Pink Daisy: Step #2 – Lilac Posies, Step #1 – Rose Bud, Flower Center: Tuxedo Black. 

Sentiment: Tuxedo Black.

Embellishments: Vinyl bookmark sleeves, vellum on Rose Bookmark, and various ribbon from stash.

Daisy takes a beating… and keeps on stamping!

Some of you may remember, KSS’ very first multi-step stamp set was 3 Step Daisy. With KSS hitting a milestone of 10 years and feeling sentimental and inspired by Ilina’s Zinna card, I wanted to stamp some daisies on both white and kraft cardstock.

So, I pulled out my daisy stamps and ….. YUCK!

Yes, my daisy stamps have been one of my “GO TO” sets from the very beginning of KSS and this set has seen a lot of stamping over the past 10 years!  I admit, I am not kind to my stamps and well, sort of abuse them… sometimes on purpose. Why? To see well will KSS stamps hold up under harsh conditions.

As a stamper, I don’t always have time to clean up after a quick last-minute card and I figure I am not alone. So, since the Fall of 2017, I have been testing the quality of our stamps by leaving them out exposed on my craft table with the ink haphazardly cleaned off for weeks, months and (this is a tad embarrassing) just found some exposed stamps high up on a shelf that I placed a couple of years ago, that I had forgotten about … all covered in dust! (cough-yuck!) Plus, I recently found some of those stamps that had jumped off my craft table and gone MIA – under furniture, in cardstock file folders, and other places in my craft room that I still can’t figure out how they got there! Yes, I guess I am a messy stamper! lol

BUT, the point I am trying to make… no matter how much dried on ink (except for alcohol-based inks), dust and gunk have built up or migrated to your KSS stamps over time … they keep on stamping!

The first 2 photos above are of my first 3 Step Daisy set (used since August 2007). As you can see in the first photo, they are filthy! I seriously thought it was time to give this set a burial! But, with some rubbing alcohol, anti-static/lint-free wipes (such as Kimwipes) and a super soft toothbrush (those for very young children are perfect) for the crevices, and then air dry … Voilà!

My 10-year-old stamps are back in business! Even the center stamp of the daisy is so much cleaner I CAN actually see to line it up again! Yes, my set of stamps are no longer crystal clear as when they were new. They have either a pinkish tint (stained from inks) or a yellowish tint (caused by UV rays when left out for long periods of time), but they are still pliable, stick to acrylic blocks (or my MISTI) and can stamp a crisp impression! I think that says a lot about KSS stamps!

If you ever find that one of your KSS stamps has gone MIA from its set, just email me. If I have an extra stamp of the one you are missing, I am happy to mail it to you.

Thanks for stopping by and have an inky day!

Please check out the fabulous Autumn card from Lynn McAuley.

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Stamps:  3 Step Daisy from Kitchen Sink Stamps.

Paper: Classic Crest – Environment Desert Storm (Kraft) and Classic Crest Classic Cream from Neenah.

Inks: (all Memento Inks unless noted)

Daisy on kraft cardstock: Step #1 – Frost White (Color Box) – 2x’s, Step #2 – Aspen Mist (VersaMagic) – 2x’s, Step #3 – Summer Sky – 2x’s, Center: Tuxedo Black. Leaves: Step #2 – Olive Grove, Step #1 – Pistachio.

Daisy on white cardstock: Step #2 – Aspen Mist (VersaMagic), Step #1 – Summer Sky, Center: Tuxedo Black. Leaves: Step #2 – Olive Grove, Step #1 – Pistachio.

Sentiment: Tuxedo Black.

Embellishments: Pop-up adhesive.

Happy Memorial Day Daisies

Happy Memorial Day & Kitchen Sink Monday!

I bet this is a busy time of the year for anyone celebrating graduations and birthdays this month! Which happens to be the case for myself.  When in a crunch for a card or decorate a gift, I usually reach for my “go to” set, (especially for a spring/summer birthday) is 3 Step Daisy.

Today I am sharing a “blast from the past” Daisy card that was done for a Color Throwdown Challenge and a small take-out gift box that needed a little decorating for a birthday gift.

A color recipe for 3 Step Daisy, can now be found HERE, listed in the forum under Color Recipes from the Kitchen.  Please remember, if you have a color recipe request to a favorite KSS set or a color combo that just isn’t co-operating… leave your request HERE and I will do my best to whip up a color recipe for you.

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Today is the last day to get 25% off  (sale ends midnight PST) 

with the promo code: HONOR

Free Shipping at $50

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Please check out what the KS Crew has cooked up today for your viewing pleasure.

I hope you are enjoying this Memorial Day with your friends and loved ones or kicking off the first day of Summer doing what you love to do the most!

Connie • Julie • Lisa • Lynn • Makiko

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For Birthday Card: Go HERE for stamping info

For Take Out Box  –  Stamps: 3 Step Daisy from Kitchen Sink Stamps.

Paper: Solar White Classic Crest from Neenah

Inks: (all Memento): Step #3 – Potter’s Clay, Step #2 – Tangelo, Step #1 – Dandelion, Flower Center: Rich Cocoa.