Tightwad Tuesday…Two Steps into Spring

Hi all, 

And a blessed Easter Tuesday to you all.   Have you come down off your sugar high yet?   I’ve noticed that many bloggers with kids were discussing related sugar issues yesterday.  For myself I was pretty good this year (a limited budget has that effect :D) and most of my chocolate was paper based.  Saves on calories but requires a bit more imagination to fill in the taste bud expectations – lol!

This Tightwad Tuesday post is featuring Stampin’ Up’s April – Two Step into Spring Promotion or as I’m calling it the Spring Fling!   While a few of the sets don’t meet my usual under $20 break point  even when on sale they are still a great value for the money given the number of stamps in each set.  Even the preview set on offer averages just a bit over $2 per stamp in the 18 stamp set.  And…even better….you can get it for free with a workshop or orders totalling $350.  Can’t get more frugal than free right?    

This promotion features two step stamping which  is one of the techniques Stampin’ Up is famous for.  If you flip through the catalog and look for the following symbol 

 

you’ll find quite a few sets were created to make use of this technique.  I’ve included a few links to tutorials etc that will show you the best way to make use of these very cool two step stamps. 

So what is a two step stamp?  Generally that describes a set that combines more than one image to create the complete picture.  Generally a line art image and a bolder fill in image.  Most often these are florals but not always.  Stampin’ Up on their customer website has the perfect tutorial showing how these stamps work and various demo’s on their blogs and YouTube also showcase 2 step stamping. 

For perfect placement the use of a Stamp a ma jig tool is recommended.  I was hoping SU would also offer a deal on this but luckily the base price is pretty low so check it out if you haven’t already aquired this tool.  For those of you with the SAMJ kicking around the back of your drawer or who have a fear of using it there are any number of tutorials on its use that you can Google for. 

While the SAMJ does give perfect placement personally I can attest that when you mount these sets as clear mounts instead of on the usual wood blocks placement becomes less of an issue and can save you a bit of time and frustration.  (Here’s a great link to a tutorial showing you how to do this –http://www.jaydeestamping.com/weblog/2010/02/happy-moments-unmounting-wood-mount-stamps-to-be-clear-mount-usable-tutorial.html ) 

One extra tip though…try to look at these stamps with new eyes.  Sometimes they can be used in ways you might not expect.  One of the bare branches of Trendy Trees works for birds feet and a couple of the tree toppers work for fireworks!   While the two step sets are designed to work together, for the imaginative mind there may be other hidden uses in their rubber. 

Details of the Special: 

Featuring a sneak peak of a new catalog set – Awash with Flowers 

From April 1-30 only, you can purchase the brand-new Awash with Flowers Two-Step Stampin’ set—or get it FREE when you host a $350 workshop!

ITEM #	DESCRIPTION	PRICE
117062	Awash with Flowers (set of 18)	$39.95
120549	Awash with Flowers (set of 18)	$27.95

And offering a 20% discount on the following current catalog 2 step stamp sets:

ITEM #	PAGE #	DESCRIPTION	REGULAR PRICE	SALEPRICE
113824	94	Greenhouse Garden	$25.95	$20.76
113734	98	Fifth Avenue Floral	$24.95	$19.96
111578	101	Flower Fancy	$36.95	$29.56
113258	112	Trendy Trees	$17.95	$14.36

Link to promo on Stampin’ Up! website: http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/17751.asp 

Video on 2 step stamping – 

http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/dawns_stampin_studio/2009/07/stamping-411-2-step-stamping-video.html 

Two step stamping step by step by Mary Director – http://kreateskards.blogspot.com/2010/04/two-step-stamping-tutorial.html

Reinker float tutorial works great with many of these sets – http://stamping411.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-wednesday-reinker-float.html 

Stamp a ma jig video tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH706N8w5gU

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Here’s a few inspiring links to get you started and that hopefully will convince you that if you don’t have these sets yet they are a must have.  Especially now when the price is right. 

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Click on any of the samples to see a larger image. 

   

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Awash with Flowers – #117062 (W), $39.95 (or free when meeting required amount), #120549 (CL), $27.95 (or free when meeting required amount)

set of 18 stamps. 

The Awash with Flowers stamp set is a sneak peek from the upcoming 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog and will not be available again until the release of the new catalog in July. 

During the month of April, you can purchase this beautiful, 18-piece Two-Step Stampin’ set for regular price, or earn it for FREE when you host a qualifying Stampin’ Up! workshop. Contact your demonstrator today for details about earning this set for free! 

Links:

SCS Gallery: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=awash+with+flowers 

Stampin’ Addicts Gallery: http://www.stampinaddicts.com/gallery/search.php?searchid=10157 

http://www.sandimaciver.com/sandi_maciver/stamp-set—awash-with-flowers

http://www.jaydeestamping.com/weblog/awash-with-flowers/

http://sweetstamper.blogspot.com/2010/04/awash-with-flowers-sympathy-card.html 

http://sweetstamper.blogspot.com/2010/03/awash-with-flowers.html 

http://www.stampinpretty.com/2010/03/awash-with-mojo-monday.html 

http://www.impressionsbyday.com/2010/04/sneak-peek-and-a-fabulous-stamp-sale.html 

http://www.dawnsstampingthoughts.net/2010/04/happy-april-1st-2010-.html 

http://stampinwithjacque.com/dazzling-diamond-dust-technique – enlarge your browser magnification and you’ll be able to read the technique card 

http://stampspaperscissors.typepad.com/stamps_paper_scissors/2010/03/its-a-freaky-good-time-in-the-neighborhood.html 

http://indyemmert.blogspot.com/2010/03/shadow-stamping.html 

http://www.stampingbyrachel.com/2010/04/awashwithflowers-1.html 

http://kweenbee.typepad.com/kweenbee/2010/03/beginning-of–post–if-youve-hopped–over-from-melanie-collins-at-oops-a-daisy-im-stop-number-9-on-the-pals-hop-and–im-g.html 

http://trinitydesignstudio.blogspot.com/2010/03/daisies-awash-udi-inspiration-challenge.html 

http://stampingtoshare.blogspot.com/2010/03/317-another-sneak-peak-at-awf.html  

http://stampingtoshare.blogspot.com/2010/03/316-sneak-peak-at-awash-with-flowers.html 

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Greenhouse Garden – #113824, sale price $20.76 ($5.21 savings), pg. 94  

10 stamps in set 

The floral images in the Greenhouse Garden stamp set create the perfect blossoms for your springtime projects. Pair them with any greeting set to make a card for any occasion.   

This is also another set that has one or two images that work for fireworks or pop art imaging.  The stems can also be used as branches for bird images to sit on. 

Links:

SCS Gallery: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=17466 

Stampin’ Addicts Gallery: http://www.stampinaddicts.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=3162 

http://www.thestampingrove.co.uk/2010/01/stampin-up-greenhouse-garden.html – two stamp tips with Greenhouse Garden 

http://www.jaydeestamping.com/weblog/greenhouse-garden/

http://reneevs.blogspot.com/search?q=%22greenhouse+garden%22 

http://elaine-stamp.blogspot.com/2010/03/greenhouse-garden.html 

http://cornwallcraftystamper.blogspot.com/search?q=greenhouse+garden 

http://www.stellarstamps.com/stampin_and_scrappin_up/2010/04/card-made-using-stampin-ups-greenhouse-garden-which-is-on-sale-now.html 

http://www.got2stamp.com/got-2-stamp/2010/02/greenhouse-garden.html 

http://www.impressionsbyday.com/greenhouse-garden/ 

http://blog.stampwithelaine.com/2010/02/greenhouse-garden.html 

http://www.wendyslittleinklings.com/wendys_little_inklings/2009/10/2steppin-through-some-greenhouse-garden-flowers.html 

http://stampspaperscissors.typepad.com/stamps_paper_scissors/2009/08/oh-my-gosh.html 

http://thestampinbunny.blogspot.com/2010/02/explosion-cards-greenhouse-garden-and.html 

http://www.stampsnwhatnot.com/my_weblog/2009/08/birthday-card-greenhouse-garden-stampin-up-1.html 

http://pamgstamps.stampincorner.com/2010/03/26/greenhouse-garden/ 

http://www.stampinchic.com/search?q=greenhouse+garden 

http://www.stampinwithblythe.com/2009/07/im-on-the-royal-blog-tour-again-greenhouse-garden.html 

http://blog.stampwithelaine.com/2010/03/good-egg-greenhouse-garden.html 

http://blog.stampwithelaine.com/2010/01/greenhouse-garden-vintage-labels.html 

http://www.stamperdog.com/2009/07/stampin-with-my-gal-val.html 

http://stampinfunwithselene.blogspot.com/2010/03/mojo-morning-stretch.html 

http://stampcrave.blogspot.com/2010/02/circle-of-flowers.html 

http://stampcrave.blogspot.com/2010/02/stamped-herringbone.html 

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Fifth Avenue Floral – #113734, sale price $19.96 ($4.99 savings), pg. 98 

5 stamps in the set 

The beautiful, modern flowers in the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set share the sophistication and styling of its namesake. You can choose to watercolor these line-art images, or leave them uncolored and layer them for a refined floral collection. 

Quite a few stampers are also using the slightly sassy text stamp with any number of other images.  This set also seems to break the usual mold of 2 step in that each image is a single stamp with no fill in stamps.  Not sure why Stampin’ Up considers this a two step but it’s still a mainstay and right now on sale so you won’t hear me complaining :D!

This stamp set also coordinates well with the Manhattan Flower Impressions folder for the Big Shot. Cool use here – http://pinkpjstamper.blogspot.com/2009/05/fifth-avenue-trifold-tutorial.html

Links:

SCS Gallery: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=16116 

Stampin’ Addicts Gallery: http://www.stampinaddicts.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=642 

http://www.jaydeestamping.com/weblog/fifth-avenue-floral/

http://www.sandimaciver.com/sandi_maciver/stamp-set—fifth-avenue-florals/

http://ediestamps.blogspot.com/search?q=fifth+avenue+floral 

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1667702?&cat=16116 

http://sweetstamper.blogspot.com/2010/04/fifth-avenue-floral-in-spring.html 

http://sweetstamper.blogspot.com/2010/04/easter-sunday-post.html 

http://www.impressionsbyday.com/2010/03/fifth-avenue-floral-one-design-three-color-themes.html 

http://www.stampinchic.com/search?q=fifth+avenue+floral 

http://klompenstampers.blogspot.com/search?q=fifth+avenue+floral 

http://createdbyu.blogspot.com/search?q=%22fifth+avenue+floral%22 

http://artisticavenger.wordpress.com/2010/04/02/a-spring-birthday/  

http://cindyloustampingguru.typepad.com/cindy_lou_stamping_guru/april-2010-hostess-club.html  

http://craftymariasstampingworld.blogspot.com/2010/03/rose-is-rose-411-color-inspiration-116.html  

http://stampinfunwithselene.blogspot.com/2010/03/featured-artist-crystal-french-embossed.html 

http://stamppretty.blogspot.com/2010/03/it-seemed-like-good-idea-at-time.html 

http://danielledaws.blogspot.com/2010/03/just-add-ink-challenge-9-sketch.html 

http://www.campbellcreations.net/?p=693 

http://www.campbellcreations.net/?p=671 

http://www.campbellcreations.net/?p=645 

http://www.stampinaddicts.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6107&title=latticeyou-only-liv&cat=642 

http://stampcrave.blogspot.com/2010/02/easel-valentines.html 

http://stampcrave.blogspot.com/2010/01/watercolor-rose.html –  check out the cool corner scallop punch trick 

http://www.stampinaddicts.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11968&title=card-beading&cat=642 

http://www.stampinaddicts.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=7615&title=you-only-live-once&cat=642 

https://jlfstudio.wordpress.com/2009/08/06/cards-in-the-mail-rak-from-rachel/ 

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Flower Fancy – #111578, sale price $20.56 ( $7.39 savings), pg.  101  

10 stamps in set 

Try your hand at a little flower arranging with our Two-Step Stampin’ Flower Fancy stamp set. You can quickly create all kinds of attractive bouquets to send to friends and family—or even for home décor projects—with this pleasing assortment of images. Arrange away! 

As you’ll also see with some of the links below this set also lends itself to creating your own background papers.  This is also a perfect set for using watercolor crayons directly on the bold fill stamps then spritzing and stamping.   Perfect for watercoloring and resist techniques of all kinds.

Links:

SCS Gallery: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=14611 

Stampin’ Addicts Gallery: http://www.stampinaddicts.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=645  

http://inkpad.typepad.com/from_my_ink_pad_to_yours/2010/03/fauxscallopsnot.html 

http://klompenstampers.blogspot.com/search?q=flower+fancy 

http://www.sandimaciver.com/sandi_maciver/stamp-set—flower-fancy 

http://www.2stampis2b.com/search?q=Flower+Fancy – check out the teapot and the scarf 

http://www.keepstamping.com/2010/02/box-card.html 

http://createdbyu.blogspot.com/search?q=%22flower+fancy%22 

http://denisefoor.blogspot.com/2010/03/flower-fancy-meets-hostess-club.html – Flower Fancy 

http://denisefoor.blogspot.com/2010/03/hopes-of-spring.html – Flower Fancy 

http://denisefoor.blogspot.com/2010/02/tuesdays-hostess-club-projects.html – Flower Fancy 

http://dostamping.typepad.com/dostamping_with_dawn/2010/03/dawn-stampin-up-flower-fancy-meets-sweet-pea-designer-series-paper.html 

http://brandyscards.com/2009/09/home-is-where-the-heart-is/ 

http://www.campbellcreations.net/?p=601 

http://www.stampinbliss.com.au/blog/?p=173 

http://www.staceystampinspace.com/2009/09/flower-fancy-cracked-glass.html 

http://reneevs.blogspot.com/2008/09/accordion-fold.html 

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Trendy Trees – #113258, sale price $14.36 ($3.59 savings), pg.  112 

8 stamps in set 

One of the most frugally priced of this set of sale stamps you also get the benefit of two basic text images that can be used on any card with any other set.  

If you loved the trees in the recently retired Sale-a-Bration set Good Neighbors then you’ll most likely love this set as well.   Some clever stampers have also found alternate uses for many of the stamp images.   For example with Fourth of July coming up two of the tree toppers in this set make the perfect fireworks explosion!   

 

A coordinating standard wheel is also available (not sale priced) – Funky Forest – #114695, $6.50, pg. 112 & 205 

Use this wheel to create frames, stationary, strips for candles or any kind of belly band for coordinating projects. 

Links:

SCS Gallery: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=16106 

Stampin’ Addicts Gallery: http://www.stampinaddicts.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=857

http://www.jaydeestamping.com/weblog/2009/07/trendy-trees-on-a-sunny-day.html

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1657591?&cat=16106 

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1644572?&cat=16106 

http://www.stampinpretty.com/2009/02/trendy-trees.html 

http://www.stampinpretty.com/2009/02/trendy-trees-and-brads.html 

http://stampinaddiction.blogspot.com/2009/06/trendy-trees.html 

http://www.learntostampandscrap.com/learn_to_stamp_and_scrap_/2009/02/trendy-trees.html 

http://klompenstampers.blogspot.com/search?q=trendy+trees  

http://www.jakheath.com/2009/11/trendy-trees-stampin-up.html 

http://www.wendyslittleinklings.com/wendys_little_inklings/2010/03/trendy-trees-in-trendy-colours.html 

http://www.elisabethstewart.com/bethinking/trendy-trees/ 

http://stampingdownunder.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/tuesday-trio-51/ 

http://www.stampinsavvy.com/trendy-trees-winter-thank-you/ 

http://inkpaperstamps.stampincorner.com/2009/09/28/trendy-trees-perfect-swirls-for-cinnamon-ice-cream/ 

http://www.2stampis2b.com/2009/02/trendy-trees-necklace-earrings-gift-set.html 

http://www.juliabettencourt.com/poinsettiatutorial.html 

http://www.craftycreationsbybeth.com/2009/10/trendy-trees-thank-you-card.html 

http://www.papertreelane.com/?p=609 

http://www.marelletaylor.com/2009/11/haiku-and-trendy-trees.html 

http://www.sisterhoodofthetravelingstamps.com/2009/10/crazy-for-cards-october-uses-trendy-trees-scenic-season-and-sweet-treat-cups.html 

http://www.keepstamping.com/2009/08/trendy-trees.html 

http://www.joannawassens.com/joanna_wassens/2009/06/trendy-trees-masculine-card.html 

http://www.campbellcreations.net/?p=694  

http://www.stampinaddicts.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6780&title=wood-panel&cat=857 

http://reneevs.blogspot.com/2009/03/trendy-trees.html 

http://reneevs.blogspot.com/2009/03/express-card-class-1.html 

Funky Forest links:

http://sparkledaisy.com/?p=275

http://www.mukibug.com/2009/10/funky-forrest-gift-box.html

http://linmeiyap.blogspot.com/2009/07/ive-been-to-hell.html

http://www.stampingwithbluemooncreations.com/my_weblog/2009/04/shaving-cream-funky-forest.html

http://www.barbstamps.com/my_weblog/2009/03/movers-shapers-big-shot-die.html

http://www.stampandscrapwithcherylann.com/2010/01/thinking-of-you-card.html

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tip:   Two-Step Stampin’ and Variations

Directions:  

 

1) Stamp the base image.

 2) Position and stamp the overlay image.

OR 

1) Stamp base image in VersaMark ink on any Neutral card stock. Sponge Stampin’ Pastels over solid image. 

2) Stamp overlay image in VersaMark ink over solid image. Sponge pastels in a darker coordinating color, or even the same color, over the second stamped image. 

OR 

1) Color directly on the solid stamp image with a Watercolor Wonder Crayon. 

2) Spritz the stamp with water. 

3) Stamp the image on card stock or watercolor paper. 

4) Wait for base image to dry, and stamp overlay image with coordinating color of ink.*****

I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at Two Step Stamping and this months Stampin’ Up special.

If you don’t already have a demonstrator and would like to purchase any of these sale sets or arrange for a workshop to earn your own free copy of Awash with flowers please email me or click on my Stampin’ Up! Store Icon in the right hand top of the sidebar.

Hugs and Blessings – Jean