Simple vs Stepped Up...Comparison Using the Gift of Joy Stamp Set

Do you enjoy making simple or stepped up projects? If you are like me, you enjoy both! Sometimes it is nice to sit down and create some projects that are pretty but don't involve a lot of steps. Other times, I like to sit down and spend more time on a single card.  If you are like me, it depends on how much time I have and if I'm feeling really creative.

As I was thinking about it earlier this week, I thought it would be nice to have a selection of both types of cards focusing on a single stamp set. I have decided to do this project using the Gift of Joy stamp set.  This is a set in the September Mini Catalog that caught me attention the first time I flipped through the catalog. The simple drawings and two step stamping procedure are what caught my attention.

Tip: Two step stamping is the process of layering stamped images created to work together.

This is the simple version of the card.  I began with an A2 Old Olive card base. I used Secret Sea, Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler inks to stamp my images. The two step stamp technique works great with these images as they layer on top of one another. For example, I stamped the floral outline in Secret Sea ink, then the flowers in Cherry Cobbler ink and the leaves in Old Olive ink...no coloring involved.  The stockings, ornaments, and greenery are all two step images as well. I used the Stampin' Write markers' brush tip to create the hearts. The markers are on the Last Chance list.  If you are interested in them, don't wait too long to get them!

This is the stepped up version of my card.  I used the Forever Plaid embossing folder to emboss the white background then cut a postage image from Secret Sea card stock.  I stamped the images as I did in the above card, but also stamped a few more to fussy cut out and raise on dimensionals.  I heat embossed the sentiment in white embossing powder on Cherry Cobbler card stock and used a banner from the Stylist Shape dies to finish off the card. 

Item number 165964

I will be making another set of cards with this same set and will post them later in the week.  Be sure to stop by again soon.