In the Sunday paper, I read an article about how coloring for adults is really a craze right now. Apparently there are all kinds of coloring books for grown-ups out there. The author described coloring as “transporting” because she was just concentrating on the page and what she was doing, not her worries and problems. While that is nice, we stampers have known that for a long time! When we sit down and stamp a card or project or get together in a class with other stampers, life tends to take a backseat and we can relax and just enjoy the creative experience. We often call it stamping therapy or say that all our stamping supplies are “cheaper than therapy”! We don’t even need to spend money on coloring books for grown-ups because we can just stamp an outline image, such as this flower from the You’ve Got This Stamp Set, and be “transported” while we color away!
The only trick to this card is masking. Stamp the flower on the Whisper White card stock with black Stazon or Memento Ink (I didn’t have any trouble with the Memento ink even though it is not waterproof like Stazon). Then stamp it again on computer paper and cut out with Paper Snips (believe me, they make “fussy cutting” so much easier than other scissors). This cut out flower becomes the “mask”. Lay it over the stamped image (good to apply dots of 2-Way Glue and let dry so it will be like a post-it note to hold it in place) and then stamp that background right over the mask and the flower! The mask will protect the flower image from the background ink. Remove the mask and then color in! If you are still using your Blendabilities, this flower is perfect for them. Otherwise, use the Stampin’ Write Markers, in different shades if you like. Use Watercolor Paper and you can really work the coloring without making the paper pill.
The card base on this sample is Melon Mambo, the layer Blushing Bride. To color in the flower I used Pink PIrouette as the lightest color, Blushing Bride and thought I was using Melon Mambo for a few dark accents but it turned out to be Rose Red! All Stampin’ Write Markers. The flower stem colors are a couple of greens, Wild Wasabi and Old Olive. The background ink color is Blushing Bride.
If you prefer not to color in, stamp the flower image, then stamp right over it without a mask, with the background image and your flower will automatically be colored in! Looks great that way also!
So if you would like to join the adult coloring craze, just stamp the “You’ve Got This” flower and color! Use Stampin’ Write Markers or use Blender Pens or the Aqua Painter. You have all kinds of choices. Just relax and enjoy the process! In the end you’ll have a lovely work of art!
To get your stamp set and coloring mediums, just shop online at Stampin’ Up! Don’t forget to check the Weekly Deals, too!