Wednesday, January 18, 2012

One Set, 3 Ways

So, Meredith from the PTI board set a challenge for herself to randomly choose one set each week to stamp with and make three cards with only that set. (unless you just *have* to add something to pull it off)  I have many, many loved, but neglected stamp sets and decided to give it a go.

Unlike Meredith I took a very unscientific approach to my random choosing. While she numbered all her sets and uses random.org, I chose to take my stamp index binder, set it on my lap, close my eyes, ruffle through the pages, open it and point to a spot on the page. Whatever set my finger it closest to wins :)

The set that got some inky love tonight was Flourishes, Herbs. Honestly I think I only used this set once and that's only a vauge feeling. So here are my three cards with one set and only supplementing 2 single stamps from 2 other sets.

 Since the set is silhouettes of herbs I started with a go-to design that I love for these types of stamps. I even stamped on the die cut button! On this card I used every single silhouette image and the biggest sentiment.
 Next up, I spotted the sentiment for the geranium and thought it would work for a birthday card. I pulled out some die cuts sent to me from someone off the PTI board when I purchased a used set from them and it's their fault I now own the picket fence die and the Tag Sale 3 die is on it's way to me! I supplemented a woodgrain background stamp for my fence, otherwise it's all from the original set.
For my last card I took my cue from Meredith to try to come up with a Christmas card. I was stumped at first and then lo and behold there was this tiny branch stamp with the ever so slight curve in it and as I was playing around with it I realized it would make the perfect wreath!  So away I went stamping it on my Doily Details die. To add some berries/flowers, I selectively inked with a Tombow pen one of the tiny geranium flowers. The sentiment is from PIT's Tag it's #9.

My experience with this challenge was pretty amazing. I actually felt MORE creative being limited to one set and it made me really think outside the box. I also felt free in not having to think of what other stamps to add...the ones I did add were obvious choices and not hard to decide on. So a big thank you, Meredith! I hope to do this challenge once a week and ink up lots more of those sets just waiting to be discovered. I'd love to hear what you think about my 3 takes on one set. hugs....

12 comments:

Cassie said...

Hey, Leah! This is a brilliant idea as I have many loved buy neglected stamps as well. Your take on the challenge is beautiful. . .each card so unique and pretty. Looks like you really nailed it :)

Leigh Penner said...

Oh, these are all so pretty! What a great idea to get the most out of your stamps!

Joyce said...

I think this is a wonderful self-challenge, and you certainly nailed it. All your cards are beautiful and so different. I think my favorite is the first--so soft and lovely.

Meredith MacRitchie said...

Oh, you have no idea how excited I was while I was reading your post!!!! I think you did AMAZING with this set, and I think the Christmas card is my favourite! I love the way you used all the silhouettes on the first one, and the tag on the second one is so pretty all stamped up. Seriously, you MADE MY DAY!!!

And I TOTALLY know what you mean about the girls in high school who seemed to have everything - they're now the ones who are divorced at a young age, and still trying to figure out who the heck they are!!!

Thanks so much for visiting me again, but thanks even more for sharing my challenge!!

Mara Campbell said...

Beautiful cards Leah!! I just really really love that first one, the stamping is amazing on it.

Marybeth said...

All three of the cards are amazing , love all the stamping you did on your cards.

papertrails leaver said...

Leah these are lovely! I really like how you showed the same set in different ways!

Debbie Gaydos said...

What a great challenge, and you really rocked it! So clever how you created the wreath.

carol (krillsister) said...

You made 3 beautiful cards. They are all lovely and different. I love the first one. It is so feminine. You wowed me with the Christmas one.

Rhonda said...

Love the colors in the birthday card!!! So pretty.

Mary said...

All of these cards are absolutely beautiful!

Monica K. said...

What beautiful cards! I have that stamp set and hadn't the vaguest idea how to use it. Thanks for all the ideas. I will have to get it out again. My favorite is the first one, it's just magical!