I've got a couple of Christmas cards to share today using Concord and 9ths Triple-Step Evergreen Stamp and I wanted to experiment by adding shimmer to one of the layers using embossing paste to stamp with and I'm quite pleased with the results so I made two cards with the shimmery tree I created.
For both my shimmery trees I started with layer 1 in pine needles oxide ink and on the first card I added layer two in mowed lawn and then for layer three I used Altenew's Shimmer Relief Paste in Galactic Skies. To apply the paste to the stamp, I used a sponge inking tool and gently dabbed the paste onto the stamp. You want a thin layer - on my second attempt I went a bit heavy handed and I got more "suction" marks when I lifted the stamp off.
Once dry I cut it with the matching die and added red and gold baubles and a star topper using the same die set. The sentiment is from the tree stamp and fits perfectly on the matching banner so I die cut it from the same card I used for the baubles and embossed in gold. I used a sheet of paper from the latest Lawn Fawn paper pad (currently out of stock but due back soon with the rest of their Christmas release)
For the second card I used the same process but switched up which layer I used the paste on - I went for layer 2 this time and as I say I got it a bit thick in places but it still looked OK so I went with it. To create a card this time, I went with a landscape card and stamped two trees in the background just using oxides with cracked pistachio replacing the paste - I didn't line them up perfectly - but not worries - its a very forgiving set - I just stamped the second layer again in bundled sage so they are thicker and fuller trees! I stacked a couple of die cuts behind the shimmery tree to make it more in the foreground and used Cayenne Stickles to add baubles for extra bling - covering the star in the same. I double stacked the banner so it didn't bend and popped it centrally over the tree to complete the card.
TOP TIP - if using paste on your stamps - keep a bowl of water on hand so you can wash your stamp as soon as you are finished - that way you won't get dried paste residue left to ruin your stamp. A quick dip in the water and your stamp is back to perfection!
I hope this has inspired you to try stamping with paste - the technique would work on any solid stamp with any colour paste so it's another great way to stretch your supplies.
Tara
