I totally forgot a friend’s birthday last week. I know…it happens! She’s a long time planner girl and my first thought was to give her some stickers from my etsy shop but quickly remembered she has all my stickers and more. Better idea…a bookmark for her current book or one of her planners. The tall gifts stamp from Brutus Monroe was just the thing. Good deal…I could spend time coloring (again) and make a gift for her at the same time.
When I first got the stamp I cut some die cuts for the gift stack stamp using the free digital files that go with the stamp. I also had stamped several using the Brutus Monroe Detail Ink in Raven. This is definitely my go-to ink when I stamp now — I know that it will stay put no matter what I do to it! And, that makes me happy. I grabbed my colored pencils that are fast becoming my good friends and started to color all the cute little gift boxes on the stamp. Once again, the detail makes it so easy to make something that is cute when all is said and done.
I like to lay down a really light color as a base. I used yellow since it is the lightest color in my pencil tin. The pencils I used are waxy in texture and I like that because it makes them easier to blend and they leave a slight sheen on the paper. I didn’t want to use any red in the stack since I felt as soon as I did the stack would say “Christmas” and this is definitely a birthday treat. After I colored I used the Liquid Elements in Sterling to give the piece a bit of a old-world spark. One light coat would have been fine; but I went with a second coat and after it dried and lightened in color a bit I was happy with it. As I’ve said before the Sterling hits the paper looking a bit dark…even more than a bit…but when it dries it has a wonderful light sterling patina. I really like it since I tilt toward vintage in much of what I do.
To finish the book marker, I cut a larger rectangle out of a print from one of the sticker series in my etsy shop and rounded the corners with an archaic punch. I punched a whole in the center top and tied a piece of grosgrain ribbon through the hole. I added a drop of glue under the knot to keep the ribbon in place. I stamped the sentiment on a long rectangle for the back of the marker. I cut three rectangle strips from the print and placed them on the back of the marker and positioned the sentiment over top. I used skinny double sided tape that holds like crazy to stick everything down. I will laminate the marker to make it sturdy for handling but I didn’t want to do that before the pix — too much glare and I am shooting in natural light while I can.
That’s it! Easy-peasy, not too much stuff needed for it, and I got to relax and color a bit in the process! And, tomorrow my pal will get a cute little something. I’m pretty sure she’s going to like it.
As you may know, I had the good fortune to be a member of the Brustus Monroe Inspiration Team in 2016. I thought it would be fun to share my posts from that blog with all of you here. Hope you enjoy.
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