Feturing myStamp BOX

by Karen Ellis

The Craft and Hobby Association’s annual summer trade show opens today in Chicago!  The craft world is buzzing!

I can’t wait to see what the manufacturers have lined up for us this fall/winter season.  Yes, fall/winter!!  I know, it’s pretty hard to think winter when it’s 95 degrees outside (in Chicago), but nonetheless, the attendees will be treated to some very festive booths and store owners will be purchasing products that you will be using this holiday season.   It’s all very exciting

MyStamp BOX is one of our Canadian manufacturers who will have a booth at the show.  In fact, I am honoured to be demoing in their booth as I will be helping launch the latest additions to their stamp line including three new sets that I designed!  I hope you like them!

I wish I could show you a sample using these but they are literally hot off the press.   I’ll be sure to post some creations in the next week or so on my website, so, if you are interested, pop on by to check them out. (Karen’s Blog)

Until then, here’s a sample I created for the myStamp BOX booth that uses the new Graphic 45 Ladies Diary Paper Line, some Prima Flowers, my “Special Teas” stamp set (that launched earlier this year) and some Silks and Primary Elements by Luminarte.  There are some Maya Road Flags and Ideaology “Gears” in there too!

Yes, this is a working clock!  I found an old clock frame at a garage sale a while back and picked up a clock mechanism at Michaels.  One I knew would fit in the circular opening (be sure to measure).  The clock was covered with the Graphic 45 Papers using some 3 in 1 Glue (Beacon), and sealed with some of Golden’s Heavy Gel Gloss Medium.  All of the 3 dimensional elements were adhered with the Heavy Gloss Gel Medium and then painted with a thin coordinating layer of “Silks” – a new medium by Luminarte (I used Solar Gold and Nutmeg).  I brushed a little “Primary Elements” pigments on it too while the glaze was still wet.   Love the frosted look it gave me.

The stamps were stamped with Archival Ink (love it because it is an any surface ink that won’t run when you add paints and sprays, etc to it) onto the backs of the Graphic 45 Papers so that the text of the papers would show through giving it a touch more dimension.

Speaking of dimension…  here’s a TIP when stamping the tea cup stamp.  You will notice in the set that the cup has steam markings in it.  I love the steam when creating a 2D project but when I create something 3D I like to have options.  Note the clock sample.  There is no steam coming from the cup.  To get this look, here is what I did:

I stamped the image 3 times.  One time on the front of my paper and twice on the back sides of my paper and cut them out as shown.  Then all you need to do is layer and adhere!  I placed the 2nd image on TOP of the 1st stamped image and then adhered the 3rd cut image to the back.  The result…  no more steam and a 3d looking tea cup!  Gotta Love it!

And, did you notice the tea bag?   I removed the stamped string from the stamped image and stapled a piece of real string to it instead.  This way it was easier to “pop out” and gave it a little more texture too! *smile*

Have a creative day everyone!   I’m off to the show floor!!

To see more of Karen’s Work – CLICK HERE