Tops and Tails

We have had loads of fun selecting new stamps to release this month, and the result is "Tops and Tails".

These 6 plates are jam-packed with wonderful flowers, unique dragonfly (ladies?), as well as pretty summery treats.

When I first started stamping about 13 years ago, I used to collect dragonfly stamps. They are so versatile, and I really enjoyed making them to use as embellishments, so I am really excited about this particular release ..... I couldn't wait to tell you all - I haven't even made any samples yet!

New Trends for Summer
Have you noticed how these guys are having another comeback this summer? The World's largest trade show (CHA) where all the big craft companies of the world come together to launch new products was held in Anaheim, California earlier this year, and there were certainly a healthy smattering of winged things in many new releases. Silver embossed papers with glitter trails featured butterflies and dragonflies of all sorts of styles. They were very striking and beautiful. It seems that dragonflies and butterflies do the rounds about once every 5 years, but they never really go out of fashion, they are always popular.

Ideas for these stamps
You can colour these winged beauties, use them for backgrounds in a tone on tone style, but my favourite thing I used to do most often was to cut out and layer them up. I would stamp up a storm, then sit in front of the TV in the evenings trimming out all the dragonflies. The base would be plain-ish card (coloured or white), and then I would stamp the wings in vellum so you could almost see through, or acetate, or a different coloured cardstock. Armed with wire for antannae and sicky foam pads I would layer wings and antannae onto the base piece. I bought some cool pink, blue and green wire recently and I think those, with 2 small seeds beads for the 'blobs' will be a perfect touch to a simple card. Sometimes the wings would get a touch of holographic glitter glue. They seem to need that little bit of glitzy sparkle. These embellishments are perfect finishing touch on a wrapped gift, just pop one on the ribbon, and then one on the matching gift tag.

I think these doodle style images also look lovely stamped and embossed - not just for look, bit this can also serve a good purpose: if you emboss its easier to colour keeping within the lines, and when you use watercolour pencils, crayons or paints embossing helps your puddles stay within the designated area!

Winged summer creatures suit all kinds of cards for all kinds of people, young, old, male or female. If you'd like to add some of these to your collection, they are available to order online now.

Blog Special Offer
As a summer gift to you, all orders over 25.00GBP get free shipping - worldwide! You need to use this coupon code in the cart to qualify for the offer: T&TBLOG
NB.This offer is valid for 15 days from today, and expires on June 30th, 2008.

PS Don't forget to check out the new minis...they are gorgeous, I'll post later in the week with some examples!

Leandra