
Updated, thanks to Deb Cozzone – only one set retired (like one isnt’ bad enough): I don’t know what it was about Monday, but I was having nothing but trouble. Trouble designing what I wanted, trouble stamping, trouble inking a pad, and apparently, trouble choosing a current stamp set (which I only found out once I needed to look up product numbers).

Problem #1 – when I stamped the image from the Thoughts & Prayers set (sorry, retired, keep reading) in Rich Razzleberry, I had a smudge of ink on the stem edge of the rubber. Hmmph. Can’t stand wasting paper, so I knew I’d have to cover that up. Then, to make matters worse, as I was doing other things, I got a dot of something to the right of the stem, and then when I stamped my sentiment from So Sorry (you can get this one for My Digital Studio #133013), but no longer as a stamp), I got another smudge. So, at this point, I’m thinking I need to start over.

Problem #2 – So I started over and this happened. I got a beautifully clean floral image, and botched the upper sentiment. Ugh. Now I had no choice. Being the person I am, I couldn’t waste two pieces of paper, so I was determined to make them both work. I know, non sequitur, but that’s just me.

Solution #1 – I stamped the bottom sentiment on Rich Razzleberry in a “gray” ink (I’ll explain that in a minute) and die cut it with the Snowflake Card Thinlets die (you could hand cut it, too), then popped it on top of my mistake. One problem solved, and I liked it better that way. Awesome! Then I lightly sponged a “base” around the floral stem to cover those two boo boos. The Brights Background Designer Series Paper (DSP) is Rich Razzleberry.

Solution #2 – I stamped the top sentiment as I did the bottom one, and fussy cut it. I didn’t like this quite as much, but it does cover the bad ink job.
Problem #3 – For my sentiments, I thought I picked up the Smokey Slate ink pad to test, and when I stamped in it, it was very dry, so I took my Stampin’ Ink refill in Smokey Slate and replenished the ink pad…the Basic Grey ink pad. 😦 Ok, At some point you just need to live with things, so to replicate this card, I suggest using Basic Grey Ink, as I preferred that for the card base anyway. It will be slightly darker than what you see, but I know you creative folks will forgive me.
Problem #4 – Oops, one of the stamp sets I chose is retired. Even though I have carefully been separating and selling retired sets, I tend to hang onto religious ones I like when they retire, because not a lot are made. Well, now I know I need to put a big dot on them, because that just isn’t fair to you.
But I have a solution…
Solution #3 -For the sentiments, use Petite Pairs, ” sending sympathy and prayers…” on the top and “…to heal your heart.” on the bottom. By the way, Petite Pairs will be on sale, along with some other sets for 20% off, Oct. 1st – 6th.
The cards are going in the mail to my dear friend Robin, and to her lovely daughter Haley, who recently lost their Cockatiel they have had since Haley was very young (Haley’s in college now). I picked the colors of the yellow (Color Me Autumn DSP) and gray (Confetti Celebration DSP) to represent Kramer, since his coloring was a mix of white, yellows and gray, and a pretty orange cheek. I did try coloring our bird stamp directly, but just couldn’t get the effect, so I went with the punch art, and I think they will appreciate it as is.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you’ll forgive me and come back! To view my class list or purchase anything current you have seen here, go to Stampin’ Bon.
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