Christmas Essentials Tutorial

To be perfectly honest there is no need for a tutorial for this set. But since I am doing one for each of the new sets, well, it would be rude not to offer a few tips for this clear stamp set.

I first stamped the Snowflake Circle Tag using Versafine Deep Lagoon.

Then I punched it out. This is what it looks on a 1 3/8" circle punch.

This is what it looks on a 1 1/2" circle punch.

This is what it looks on a 1 1/2" circle scallop punch, which is the one I chose.

Then I cut around the inside of the snowflake. It is fairly easy even for a I-can't-use-a-craft-knife person like myself.

Next step is to stamp the solid circle. Now, I have been told that it is hard to stamp well a solid clear stamp, and there is some truth to it. Solid images are much more temperamental. But here is how I do it. First, I choose Versafine or Memento ink pads, preferably the former. Second I only dab the ink into the stamp, I do not put any pressure at all, just a kiss.

Then, I turn a little bit the stamp clockwise and repeat the gentle dabbing of the ink.

And do the same again. Usually I do dab the ink pad against the stamp about four or five times and all the time turning the stamp around so I don't get any streaks of ink. It doesn't take much longer than the usual methods of inking but the results are much better on stamps like these.

You can see by the result, a perfectly solid inked image.

I then punch it out with a 1" punch.

And then I put it on to the snowflake tag, just making the snowflake to sit on top.

Squares, 1 1/8" will get you the white edge around.

They will fit into 1 1/2" scalloped punches.

But most of the square messages will also fit into a 1" square. the only one that doesn't look that good on a 1" is the Christmas wishes.

And this a few options of the Essentials combined with coordinating sets, ie: Christmas Messages, Joyful Bubbles...

And finally, a very simple card. I stamped the message, then the little flower - Filled with Flowers, Memento Lulu Lavender ink pad - and then punched it out using a tag punch. The black paper is embossed using a Cuttlebug embossing folder. This card is not to everyones taste but many on my Christmas card list are not crafters which means that they respond better to simple modern cards than more elaborate crafty ones.