January 19, 2021

POLKA DOT VALENTINE

 I recently decided that it would be fun to go back to some ancient stamping techniques. 

With that in mind, my first project was going to use Smackin' Acetate. Over the years, I have seen variations on this technique, so the one I was going to embark upon may be different from the technique you may be familiar with.

If you've ever seen my Creation Station (lucky for you if you haven't!), you will know that it is a crazy mixed up disorganized totally impossible mess. Yes, that bad. I never seem to have the "time" to clean up. Only the time to create. Why waste time putting things away when you are just going to need them again? 

Maybe -- maybe -- some day I'll treat you to some photos of my Creation Station. It is embarrassing. I'd like to say it works for me. But that would not be the case. It's just the way I am. They say that a cluttered desk (Creation Station??) is the sign of a genius. Well, if that is true, I should be the president of Mensa. Lke the meme goes, I don't have a mess, I have ideas lying everywhere. Yup. Me.

Anyway, back to the Smackin' Acetate project. As I was searching for a piece of acetate -- they are all over the place, but do you think I could find even one small piece? -- I came across a piece of bubble wrap.

LIGHTBULB!

If I could do Smackin' Acetate, why not SMACKIN' BUBBLE WRAP?!?

I took this nifty art supply, bubble wrap, and scribbled an assortment of Stampin' Write Markers in reds and pink, namely Melon Mambo, Real Red, and Poppy Parade, over the area I would need to work with. I then spritzed it with water and laid a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of white cardstock on top of it, trying to keep the dots of the bubble wrap as straight as I could. 


It wasn't perfect. But nor is Smackin' Acetate. It's sort of one of those techniques where you get what you get. I actually loved the way it looked.

I used the Heat Tool to dry it so I could continue to work on it.

Wanting to stick with a Valentine-y look, I chose Merry Merlot ink to stamp the cool wreath from the Arrange a Wreath stamp set (page 127 in the Annual Catalog) upon the pretty polka dot background.

Next step, to make it look like a Valentine, I stamped several of the little hearts from the set in Melon Mambo onto white cardstock. Because I am a product hoarder, I had a tiny Stampin' Up! heart punch from long ago that fit perfectly with the stamped hearts.


After punching out the hearts, I put little pieces (or the Mini Stampin' Dimensionals) of Stampin' Dimensionals on the backs and affixed them to the wreath.

The sentiment, Happy Heart Day, also came in the Arrange a Wreath set, so I stamped that in Melon Mambo, and used a die from the Tasteful Labels Dies (page 179, in the Annual Catalog) to die cut the sentiment. By the way, I only recently purchased that die set, and I know I am going to be using it tons! It is another of those incredibly versatile sets.

Adding a little Melon Mambo ribbon to the back of the label, I adhered the sentiment to the bottom of the card with a couple Stampin' Dimensionals.


So, what do you think of my Smackin' Bubble Wrap technique? Do you think it will go down in stamping technique history? 

It makes me smile to look at it, so I know I will be using it again. Heaven knows, I need an excuse to smile. 

Dotty
Smiles.
















20 comments:

  1. That is so cute! What a great idea. I pinned to remind myself to give it a try. My desk looks great and cleaned up.. until I start creating and then I pull out everything and you can't see even one small square of it. I tend to leave it like that until I just can't stand it anymore then I clean it all up and the next time I get creative it starts all over again.

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    1. Thanks, Joanne! I'm glad you like it. Before the Pandemic, I had monthly workshops in my Creation Station. So that was motivation to get it all cleaned up at least once a month. Since I haven't had a workshop down there since last early March, there is no reason to clean it up. Heck, I really miss those workshops and the excuse to see the table tops at least once in awhile.

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  2. Loving that background...always loved sticking my fingers in paint, clay, glue...something wonderful about 'really handmade', lol. I'm coming from PSaturday! Sandi

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    1. Thanks, Sandi! I always tell my girls that if they end up with ink on their fingers, they were having fun!

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  3. What a clever idea for a background! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ's.

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  4. I'm giving it two thumbs up!
    Linda, my mind is whirling thinking how I can use this technique in various ways.
    So happy I found your site :)
    have a good one!
    RR

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    1. Aw, thanks so much! Have fun with whatever your whirling mind comes up with!

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  5. I think the technique is fabulous! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen

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    1. Thanks! I'm so glad you like it! I have another idea for this percolating in my brain.

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  6. Such a sweet card. My work station can quickly become messy too but if I am working on a project it is nice to have the space be exactly how you left it the day before so you know where to start. Whatever works for you! Thanks for sharing this week. #HomeMattersParty

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    1. Thanks, Donna! Yes, messy continuity when working on a project is necessary, especially if you have the space to let it all hang out.

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  7. A lovely reminder that we have a special day coming up soon #MischiefandMemories

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  8. What a beautiful Valentine's Day Card Linda - your creativity makes me smile!
    That's one of many reasons I'm delighted to feature you at this week's Inspire Me Monday Party #472! Have a blessed week! :-)

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  9. Your creation station sounds like a couple of the areas I work in, Linda! So you are not alone! Love this pretty card, what a nice way to reach out to someone in these strange times. Thank you for sharing and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party Community. I’m featuring this post at the party this week. Hope to ‘see’ you there! Take care, stay well, and I wish you a wonderful week!

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    1. Oh, April, it's so nice to know that I'm not alone! My artist daughter, Emily, just cannot understand why I put up with such a mess -- she is ever so organized! -- and even though I can't stand it either, I don't seem to be capable of doing anything about it. Thank you for the honor of the Feature! Stay safe and healthy!

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  10. Perfect Valentine card !
    Love it.Thank you for sharing with us at Meraki Link Party at Doodle Buddies.
    Naush

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