Happy, happy Tuesday, crafty friends! We all know that stamping can be an artform, and sometimes you come across a stamped project that is truly spectacular. We have just such a card from Blog Team Member Amy Sheffer.

It’s hard to believe that the card she created is a single layer card! She has achieved an amazing amount of dimension using our Simply Stamped – Pinecones stamp set and we can’t wait to share it with you.

And now, here’s Amy to tell us all about her project…

I love decorating my home for the holidays in more of a rustic, natural
style — lots of fresh greenery, twigs, berries, and other natural
materials. Pinecones are the best — easily available, inexpensive, plus
they add all that amazing texture. When I saw the Simply Stamped –
Pinecones stamp set, I though it would be fun to create some holiday
cards in the same rustic, natural style that I’m drawn to for my home.

I
arranged the stamped pine cones and branches as a wreath on a Sugar
Cube panel. I eyeballed my circular shape, but you could lightly trace a
circle die-cut to use as a guide, too. The multi-step pinecone images
are perfect for easily and quickly creating the illusion of lots of
depth and texture. I found the images to be forgiving enough that I
didn’t use a stamp positioner, which made the stamping process even
quicker for this one-layer arrangement. (For our Simply Stamped – Pinecones Style Sheet, click HERE.)

This particular pinecone
image has three main layers, plus an optional fourth layer that adds the
look of snow. I used the three main layers and stamped them in Old
Paper, Brushed Corduroy, and Walnut Stain Distress inks. To add even
more depth, I used dark brown Copics to deepen the shadows on the Walnut
Stain layer. I filled in around the pinecones with just a single pine
branch image stamped repeatedly in Forest Moss and Bundled Sage inks. I
also used a sponge dauber to blend some Bundled Sage ink around the
branches, too. When stamping the greenery and sponging, I covered the
pinecones with a mask most of the time so that most of the greenery
would appear to be behind the pinecones.

For the sentiment, I
stamped once in Black Soot to create a drop shadow layer. Once that had
dried, I stamped a second time, slightly offset, in VersaMark ink, then
heat embossed in white. Both the drop shadow layer and the heat
embossing really help the white sentiment pop from the surrounding
stamped imagery.

For a simple rustic touch, I added some jute twine to the top and tied off in a bow.

The
whole panel is layered onto a slightly wider kraft card base, which
gives me a vertical Kraft border on the left and right sides.

To finish off the inside too, I stamped a branch with pinecones and needles, along with a second sentiment.

Thank you, Amy, for sharing this stunning card with us today. You can find more of Amy’s beautiful work on her blog, Pickled Paper Designs. Have a joyful day!

Simply Stamped – Pinecones Premium Cardstock – Sugar Cube Copic Markers Zing! Embossing Powder – White Opaque Tim Holtz Distress Ink – Mini Set 12 Tim Holtz Distress Ink – Mini Set 7 Tim Holtz Distress Ink – Mini Set 3 Tim Holtz Distress Ink – Mini Set 9 Tim Holtz Distress Ink – Mini Set 10

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