Happy Hump Day to you and do I have a fun and flirty little number for you today but before we get going I have 2 SUPER important things to go over……are you ready!!!
- The Daisy Delight Bundle IS BACK IN STOCK….ok stampers – I think that we can all say that there has never been an item that has been so popular than this HOT duo. If you do not already have this, than this IS your time to hop on the stampin’ wagon. It not only is a “smart stamper” to get it before it potentially goes on back order again ( I hope not)…but you are so close to being about to earn a bonus day buck! This is the featured product for my weekend post and trust me, you need it!
- We have a BLOG CANDY WINNER from yesterday! Are you ready….get ready to slide that chair back if you are PAT ROPCHAN and if you are Pat…..you need to GET UP and DO IT…..DO THAT HAPPY DANCE!!!! Pat – you won the Watts of Occasion Stamp Set! I just adore that stamp set and I know you will enjoy it as well! Please email me your address and I will ordered this FUN stamp for you!
Many thanks to ALL for leaving a comment but remember…It’s CANDYLAND all week long on my blog so you will have more chances to win – my thanks to YOU for the support and sheer fun we have together!
Now let’s get to todays post and the Blog Candy for you. How many of you have this little number???…chances are you buzzed right past this in the catalog. It is call Paint Play and it can be found on page 161.
I like to feel that I know my customer pretty well and if my hunch is correct – you all flew right past this little number! This is why I love it….it is FRESH…it is FUN….it is soooooo VERSATILE….it’s just a KEEPER. This is a great example of a stamp set that will go far as when in doubt….there are always lots of images in this one that you could add to another project to give it that “something that you need”
As I shared yesterday, I have a dreadful summertime cold (most likely from being in a plane for so long) and because none of the dogs were coming to my pity party yesterday I decided to turn the music up and stamp with fun color to perk me up….. and it worked.
I must say, I LOVE this card. This is the 1st time that I have inked up this stamp and I was excited to take it for a test drive. Before we get to the pictures and blog candy for today….let’s chat about conditioning your stamp. As I shared, this is the 1st time that I have used this stamp so I needed to condition it!
Now before you SIGH….hear me out – trust me, I get it…that time thing gets in the way. I ask you this….would you rather take the time NOW when you have a new stamp set and condition it for a clean and crisp stamped image or take the chance of being frustrated in not having a clean stamped image? I know what my answer would be! 💡
We all spend good money on our products so why not have them work to your advantage? I know that I have blogged about this many times but it also is something that I get many emails about….this is what I do…
- Stamp the image in versamark on a piece of scrap paper. (I usually use a discontinued color so I can see the image) and if it does not stamp well….I redo this again until I get the look I need.
- I use my chamois to clean off my stamp (you really do not need to do this as it will not contaminate your ink) and then stamp it using a dark or bold color onto a piece of Whisper White Cardstock.
DONE…..now I have a quick reference for the actual size of an image within a stamp set and I also know that when I need to grab this stamp…it is already conditioned and ready to rumble!
Now I ask you…..isn’t this a super fun card! You can be your own Picasso and go to town with the color. At the end of the post you will see all of the colors that I used for this card! I just adore that POP of Bermuda Bay that I used and the contrast of the Early Espresso is great together.
Now how about that ribbon. I am over the moon with the ribbon this year and hold on to your pocketbook for the NEW RIBBON in the upcoming catalog….can you say AMAZING and yep, I will do a product/ribbon share.
This ribbon, the Powder Pink Woven Ribbon is a dream machine to work with! It just “behaves well” and I think you know what that means – a perfect bow each and every time! Truthfully, if Stampin’ Up! had this ribbon in every color….they would all be on Randall Lane!
Did you notice the DIY Designer Series Paper made from yours truly!?!? I was just having so much fun with this stamp that I decided to stamp away on a piece of Whisper White and use it on my envelope!
I took a 2 1/2″ X 6″ strip of paper and stamped it…added a strip of powder pink and a sliver of flirty flamingo for a POP and then trimmed the excess away! PRESTO!
Now for the Blog Candy…..leave me a comment and let me know if you condition your stamps???…..do you find it to be helpful???….if you have a different method, PLEASE SHARE – but also, PLEASE let me know how you like this sweet card! (ha-ha)!!!
One lucky winner will win this stamp Set….
Paint Play….just leave a comment and GOOD LUCK!
Now HERE IS SOMETHING to take heart of and I will say that you really should view this as a great marketing strategy…..for every $50.00 you spend in July, you will receive a $5.00 coupon to use in August! That’s why hopping on the Daisy Delight Bundle would help you get closer to that threshold!
I LOVE this promotion and have taken advantage of it personally but if I were you……I would add that extra $25.00 to be able to pick a free stamp from my vault…..(just saying as there are 100’s of stamp sets needing a new home) WHAT AM I TALKING ABOUT?
I have finally “corralled” my retired product….and it is a CANDYLAND for YOU! When you enter the vault….you will be in heaven (I have several in there right now….so hurry and make your selection before it gets swooped up)
I have updated the Hostess Code and if your order is $75.00 or more with me….you can GO TO THE VAULT and pick out any stamp your heart desires. I did this last year and it was a huge hit….but now….it is STOCKED TO THE MAX….as it is up to date from the Catalog that ended on May 31st.
Good luck with the Blog Candy….I can’t wait to read your comments about the conditioning of your stamps and also how you like this card! Have a GREAT Hump Day and I am staying low for another day…..but watch out….hopefully tomorrow I will be back in the swing of things!
You are absolutely correct! I did not notice Paint Play in the catalog – thank you for bringing it to our attention. The card you made with Paint Play is a very fun and happy card.
Susan, thank you for all of your daily inspiration! I first became aware of conditioning stamps when the solid images became popular. It does make a difference in how they except the ink. Paint Play is a fun set and so versatile. Love the card! So cheery.
I did not know about conditioning stamps until I read your take on it. I now condition as you suggest and it does make a difference. Thanks for your helpful hints.
Good Morning Susan! I hope you are feeling a little bit better today.
Yes, I LOVE this card and your DSP envelope. I passed right over this set, which is great and I would love to have it in my Card Corner too. Ha. Ha. Your colors are fantastic and make this so bright and cheery.
I try to condition my stamps, but unfortunately, I only do it right before I’m going to use them. Therefore, every stamp in a set is not necessarily conditioned, which leads to uneven stamping. Many times I have said, yes I talk to myself out-loud, “Oh this was not conditioned!”
I do take the time to catalog SU products in my Everynote app.
. . . and Happy Hump Day to you too.
🙂
I absolutely adore this card!!! The colors are so HAPPY!! I had not even given Paint Play a second look!!! You are very creative, Susan!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Susan, your tried and true tips are always helpful (and so appreciated). Thanks for helping us get the most out of our stamping supplies. I’ve been frustrated by partially stamped images from the photopolymer stamps. Conditioning them first makes so much sense! Thank you for saving the day.
Mary Beth, besides conditioning your stamps – when using the photopolymer stamps, try stamping on top of a piercing mat or even your catalog works if you are at a class. You will get better more even image. I was at a class last night and one of the people forgot to pass the little mat with the stamps so I tried using my catalog under it and it was more even than without! I tried stamping on the grid paper without something under it and did not get a good clear image.
Love the card. (Confession….never noticed the stamp set!) I’ve never conditioned my stamps. Great idea.
I do condition my rubber stamps by rubbing an eraser over them – and for the photopolymer stamps I read on someone’s blog that you should initially stamp with a light color like Sahara sand to keep them from taking on colors that stain. I haven’t tried that yet but I have good intentions of doing just that. I will have to try the Versamark idea but I’m wondering if you stamp off once before you stamp on the ink pad ? How can the Versamark (basically glue) not harm the ink pad ???
Just a gorgeous card, but then most of yours are! Love all the bright colors and yes I too just passed over this amazing set. Thanks for always stretching our imagination.
OMG your card puts a little pep in my step!!! (and my name isn’t even Pat Ropchan – congrats Pat!!) As I read on my shoulders sagged a bit when you asked me to “fess up” if I condition my stamps……guilty. Then of course being the little engine that could, I am committed to get on the bandwagon and JUST DO IT!!!! It must be this awesome card and the energy (vibes) I felt coming from your blog today, because if I didn’t know better, you are excited and committed yourself (the good kind ?) Did I say I LOVE this card?
I just do….and the ribbon got me excited too!!! Just call me inspired. So glad you do what you do, Susan! ?❤️
Wow! Gorgeous card…this set is going to the top of my “must order” list!
I admit that I am not very consistent. Sometimes I condition my polymer stamps and sometimes I don’t. I do try to condition the larger solid ones. Today’s card is such a happy card. Great color choices. You’re right, I had over looked this happy stamp set.
Good Morning Susan! I do condition my photopolymer stamps – they really seem to need it – but haven’t necessarily done it with my red rubber ones! Guess I’ll start and see if it makes a difference. Thanks for all your tips! And I hope you feel better soon!
I really love this card!! The colors and placement are perfect and at first glance I thought there was a DSP I missed.
I had not heard of conditioning stamps until I read it on your blog. I did try it and thought it worked wonderful, but I have to confess I don’t always take the time to do it when I get new stamps. As soon as I have problems though I realize I did not condition them and out comes the versa mark. Thank you for reminding us of this very important step 🙂
I haven’t been conditioning my stamps but after reading your blog today I will begin doing it! I love the card! Looks like lots of fun to make and even oops could be easy to cover up. Love the blog. More about the pets please!
What I do to condition my stamps is rub over them with an emery board. Just lightly
and then I rub them on my jeans. It helps. I will try your tip too.
I love the colors in this card.
It is a cute stamp set that I completely missed. I don’t condition my stamps but I probably should. Thanks for the chance to win.
First of all congrats to Pat – the set looks like it would be a lot of fun to play with.
Great card and that envelope just sent it up and over the top! I had seen the set in the catalog as I really liked the swirl thing and the word Happy but decided the price was higher than I cared for. I liked the colors you used esp the Bermuda Bay with it than the example in the catalog. The ribbon looks dreamy too. The set may just have to go on the “B” or “c” list.
Conditioning the stamps – I try to do that as I use them. I know I don’t as soon as I get them. Then, I like to stamp with the archival black ink so you can see the design too and also if the stamp is not supposed to be solid. The PP stamps are a must to be conditioned. I had tried the eraser trick but I like the versa mark ink better. See my comment to Mary Beth about the mat too helping. The person stamping before me was yakking nonstop and I don’t think she even noticed she didn’t get a good clean image. I then asked to have the mat passed for the next person since I am such a nice person!
So do you do this same conditioning for rubber & photopolymer stamps? I’ve stamped in light colors with the photopolymer to keep the staining down, but I don’t think that really means I was conditioning them according to this! What is it that the versa mark is doing to condition them?
Your card is way cute! When I saw it with your envelope I thought the 2 strips you used on the flap might be really pretty as an alternate to the ribbon & then they would really be matchy matchy 🙂
Hope you feel better today!
Sometimes I condition my stamps, but more often than not I’m too impatient to get to the “real” stamping and leave the conditioning out. I pay for it sometimes, but most times I get a good enough image that I’m okay with it. The more I use a stamp, the more conditioned it gets! 🙂
Congrats to Pat for winning yesterday’s blog candy. I would not have looked twice at the stamp set you are highlighting today but your card is fantastic. The colors you chose just make it pop! Great card!
Love this card ! I have been looking at this set off and on because it has so many cute stamps that appeal to me .
Yes, I condition off and on ….mostly OFF ! Most of the ones I do are the solid image ones .
Hope you are feeling some better !
AND CONGRATS PAT !!! Lucky you !!
Glad making this happy card made you feel better! It sure adds a smile to my face! I love your hapy color choices and yes, the Bermuda Bay is perfect wtih those colors–just a splash of cheerfulness. I do condition my photopolymer stamps but not usually the rubber ones–because I believe you and if you say so, I take it to heart! I stamp off first and if it’s okay, I run right on with it!
I never realized how important it is to condition your stamps. It certainly makes sense. After all, our stamps are an investment, so it would be wise to take good care of them! Thank you for this quick and easy tip. I will be conditioning my stamps from now on, for sure! Love, love, love today’s card. The color mix is stunning! I must admit, I passed right over this beauty. I guess that is why I keep coming back to your blog every day…you always show ways to create beautiful cards with stamps that I would never think of purchasing! Thanks…and take care of that cold!
I love everything about this card!! the stamp set, the colors and especially the envelope. I do not condition my stamps but I know I should. When you mention it on your blog I always think I will do this.
This card is just fantastic.. it made me smile… love the color combinations and the ribbon looks awesome… Love your envelope.. I never gave this set a second look .. glad you showcased it because it really is a great set.. I had never heard of conditioning stamps until I read it on your blog a few months ago… I now condition as I use them… but need to get into the habit of doing the whole set as soon as I receive it… Thanks for the chance to win this stamp set.
Definitely a winner! I LOVE your DIY DSP. The offset of the card front really does something special for this card. I love the flowers but my reservation for buying it is is reminds me of a water color set from the previous catalog. Now I will have to go look for it. There’s another flower set that carried over and there is something abt the sample card that I love….but not sure I want another flower set.
I would love to use this color combo on a flower card 🙂
Well, I just inked up High Tide yesterday for the first time and it was not great…so this blog post is very timely for me. I realize that I need to do some conditioning before I begin that “masterpiece”. Boy, I’ve got a lot of work to do in the coming days!
I love your card! The cute design and all the pretty ink combinations.
This stamp set has been on my wish list since I first opened the annual catalog, but it has not made the leap to my shopping cart because I was a little intimated about putting it all together, but you might have convinced me that I can do it! I had never heard of conditioning stamps until I started reading your blog. I have tried it and it does help, but often I forget! I should make a note to hang by my stamps that says: “Susan says…”
Hi Susan, YES! I do condition my stamps aka the “Susan Way”! I love your card! The colors! The bow!!! And I love how you offset flower layer on the base! And I love what you did with the envelope! Your own DSP!!! I am off to a miniature convention, am already going through card making withdrawal! I lost my furry girl to cancer a few days ago so being away is a good thing.
So sorry for your loss and I’m glad you’re able to get away for a few days
Sending hugs!
Thanks Andria, it is getting easier. And who would have thunk, Stampin Up makes it easier!
I am so sorry Ramsey. Sending you cyber hugs.
Thanks Mary Ann! Life is moving on and new fur babies are in the future.
The one time I didn’t read all the comments. Oh, Ramsey I am so sorry for your loss. All of our pets are special members of our families. Cyber hugs and well wishes…
awwww, Thanks Chris!!!!
Your card is fabulous with its matching envelope. I did indeed skip over this set, but boy did you bring it to life. Super pretty color combo!
I am not in the habit of conditioning my stamps. Thank you for the versamark tip. I have also read to use a white eraser especially on large solid images.
Thank you for sharing your creativity & stamping know how!
I hate to admit even after your good instructions in the past I still don’t condition completely. I just use stampin mist several times so it’s not tacky. I’ll try the versa mark step next time! Thanks! Another cute card!
Love this card and Love this set! You have highlighted a definite “all around ” stamp set any crafter would use over and over in an infinite number of ways. I think these kind of versatile sets are an investment, as its’ uses don’t just apply to one theme or season.
Adore your envelopes and have copied this style from you on many occasions. I have conditioned stamps in the past but have had limited success with it, especially on photopolymer ones.
Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t. I haven’t figured out the rhyme or reason behind why some sets just work out the gate and some don’t. But I always keep your tactic on hand in case I need it. Thanks!
What a fun and colorful card! I am definitely looking twice at that stamp set, now!
Do I condition my stamps? Sometimes. Especially photopolymer. It does make a difference in how well they stamp. I need to do it always, but I haven’t even opened all my new stamp sets, yet!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful work!
Cyberhugs!
I haven’t conditioned but thanks to you I will now! Love this card and stamp set!!
I love stamp sets like this one that make it easy to create your own DSP in whatever colors you want. This card (and envelope) are a perfect example. LOVE LOVE LOVE
I started conditioning my stamps after reading a post from you quite a while back. I’m glad you repeat it from time to time because it really does make a huge difference. Even now, if I’m having trouble with an older stamp not stamping the way I think it should, I’ll wash it and recondition it as if it were a new stamp, and it always seems to “rejuvenate”.
Thanks again for the inspiration.
I do condition my stamps. When I get my order I stamp each set onto paper & then put it into a 3-ring binder. Then I can browse thru the binder of what stamps I have & then try to create from there. I haven’t always used the versa mark but have started recently. I also do the same binder file for all my punches…….also a little photo album with my framelits & dies. Cute card today & great “DSP”. Thanks for all the inspiration.
The colors on this card are so bright and cheerful. Hope it makes you feel better too. I passed this stamp set up in the catalog, need to take another look. I have started conditioning my stamps after you gave the directions on a previous blog post. Now I do it as soon as I get them. I think it helps, plus always using a mat with the photopolymer stamps makes a difference too.
You are so clever! I completely overlooked this set. Thanks for the heads up.
You never cease to AMAZE! I can’t even remember seeing this set in the catalog…what’s wrong with me? I love this card and of course, now need the stamp set…you are so good at your job!! Thanks for sharing!
I usually use a rubber eraser on the rubber stamps to conditions them. I have never conditioned the poly stamps. This is a really great card. I love the look the stamps
give.
OMG! I love this set and no, I did not even notice it. I love the look that looks like crayon or something. What you’ve done with this stamp set really sells it, the colors and your perky pattern of putting it all together.
I do condition my stamps because you told me to! And I know they work better that way. Truly I used to only do the one or two from a set I was going to use that day but the last time I pulled out an unused set I did the whole thing! So proud of me.
What I need to invest in is that pad you talked about once from Amazon. You called it Stamper’s best friend and it was like a piercing pad but for putting under your paper for stamping. I had a desk blotter that had a foam back but it is so old the foam back is all squished down. I do have a piercing pad too but it is little so you have to get everything lined up just right…. anyway, you’ll have to remind me what that was so I can buy one.
As for the daisy bundle. I put in an order yesterday and didn’t even look at it because I am so used to it being non-orderable. So now I missed my chance for this time. I’m getting a lemon though! Oh, that doesn’t sound so good, but I am getting the lemon bundle.
What I really need is more time to play but they don’t sell that at SU or Amazon. *sigh*
Love the card Susan, especially the envelope! Yes, I condition my stamps, but I swipe them with one of those “kneading” erasers. That’s how I learned to do it years ago. It works for me.
Susan, you are right. I buzzed right past this stamp set, but you caught my attention now. I love your card and envelope and the colors you used. It is so cheerful. Thanks to you, I do condition my stamps now. Hope you feel better soon. TFS
I’m charmed! You may have gotten me over the hump on this stamp set!
I do condition my stamps if I don’t they do not stamp good and then I am unhappy.i condition them like you had said before. I am bad about not doing all of them at th same time. Like the idea of having a copy of stamps in my box. Thanks for all your helpful hints.
I haven’t tried the conditioning yet but I need to especially on some of the larger solid images. I bet that would help with frustration when the image doesn’t stamp properly. I love the card it is so happy. Yes I missed that one in the catalog. That for all your inspiration Susan!
I unfortunately usually do not condition my stamps before I use them – I know I should and if I did I would use your method. Love the way you used the stamps to make your own DSP
You are right I blew right past it. Thank you for the conditioning tip!!
Love your DIY DSP! Just lovely. Hope you are feeling better, and sort of enjoy being given a “reason” to just sit still and play! I do condition my stamps, right before I use them the first time, so no, not all of them get done…that “time” thing!
Thanks for the reminder about conditioning the stamps. I know I had read that before, but forgot about it when I got around to stamping. I will do that as I stamp this afternoon. Love this colorful card. If I had the set I would go make it right now. I have 3 friends in NTICU in the same hospital that I need to send cards to.
Fabulous and fun card Susan. It feels like a light summer breeze. I do often condition my stamps, more on an as-needed basis than as a process.
Cute artistic card! I admit I looked this stamp set over….sad. I do immediately condition each and every stamp set I purchase. I follow exactly what you do (never did versa mark until you explained why)and I have a book I stamp in so I have a reference of every stamp. It is separated into categories and it works for me. Enjoy the day!
Great job, Susan, on the stamping to make DIY DSP!! LOL! I like the bright colors and nice bow you used to make this really fun card. I do condition my stamps using the “Susan method” but, as many have said, I do it as I use them. Perhaps I should begin doing it as I get new sets. Glad stamping helped give you some pep. I hope you feel better soon.
I absolutely love this card.It is so bright and fun.You are right I did breeze right by it and now I am giving it another look. I will also admit I don’t condition my stamps but should, it would probably save me alot of frustration.
Beautiful card! I don’t usually think about conditioning until I try the stamp. Then if the image doesn’t stamp well, I address it. It might make more sense to do as you do though! Your cards always look great 🙂
I didn’t know to condition my stamps until I read it here earlier on your blog. I will try to remember to do that now 🙂
I really like the fun colors of this card and your handstamped DSP is well done. Thanks for the chance to win the set.
I have not conditioned my stamps up to thus point but we were just talking about this last weekend at a local crafting event and now you have written about it so I guess I will try it!
What a pretty and festive birthday card, Susan! And, yes, I did indeed breeze right past this stamp set in the catty. You have used it to its best advantage. Lovely! Hope your cold goes away sooon!
I have never conditioned my stamps before. Thanks for sharing your tips on stamp conditioning. I will be sure to give it a try. Also, handy to have a sheet with all the stamped images in it. Great reference tool. Love your hand stamped DSP. Thanks for the chance to win some awesome blog candy.
What a happy card…this would make anyone smile upon opening it…even smile just looking at the envelope, Susan! So cheerful. I have never conditioned any stamps. You are the only demonstrator that has talked about this.
I love this card! I have never conditioned my stamps, guess I should give it a try!
I have never conditioned my stamps. I will need to read more on the procedure. Thank you for sharing the tips.
Love what you did with this stamp set, I had not paid much attention to this stamp set. The colors are wonderful.
I just slid right on by it in the catalog. I am pleased you have brought this to my attention.
I didn’t even know what conditioning your stamp was till I read this. Definitely going to try it. Thanks so much.
Your card is so fresh and fun! The colors just make you happy.
I am trying to make a habit of conditioning my stamps when I get them. Your “how to” video really showed how easy it is and what a difference it makes.
Yes, I blew past this stamp set. What caught my eye was the colors you used on this card. And I love using ribbons when I make cards.
These new ribbons do look lovely. Do they “mail well” with the envelope embossed with ribbon too?
Thanks for the cleaning tip. I use Versamark, but often times do not clean my stamp pad until I am done using the colored ink with is. Yikes!
Cute card! Love the colors you used!
I have started conditioning my new (and old) stamps with the technique I learned about on your blog. It makes a lot of difference in the finished product!
One confession – I only condition the stamps I am currently using on my project. I don’t take the time to condition all of the stamps in the set. Not sure why….
What a cheerful card and thanks for the tip about conditioning your stamps-definitely going to do this in the future!
Now that I understand the importance of conditioning stamps, I will try it! Beautiful card… going to gather my ink pads now and give this color combination a whirl. Thanks!
I have never conditioned my stamps, but think it is a good idea…will try it, thanks for the tip!