I recently got my hands on a stampin up heart shaped bundle and honestly, it's been seated on my craft desk ever since since I can't quit using it. When you've been papers crafting for a while, you probably understand that feeling when you find a set that just clicks. It's not merely for Valentine's Day, which will be what I initially thought. Once I started playing along with the different stamps and the coordinating strike (or dies, based on which edition you grabbed), We realized it's actually one of the most versatile points in my put.
There's some thing so satisfying about the way everything coordinates. If you're new to the brand, a "bundle" usually means you're obtaining a stamp established along with a matching tool—either a punch or even a set of dies—at the bit of the discount compared to buying them individually. It saves you through that annoying task of wanting to fussy-cut around a stamped image with tiny scissors. I don't know about a person, but my fingers aren't steady enough for the most times!
Why This particular Bundle is the Game Changer
When I first opened my stampin up heart shaped bundle, I has been amazed at the high quality of the plastic stamps themselves. Whether you have the photopolymer (the clear ones) or maybe the cling red plastic, the images appear crisp every single time. But the real magic happens when a person bring in the punch or the particular die-cutting machine.
Being capable to stamp an image and then instantly pop it out there using a perfectly symmetrical border is like a time-saver. I've found that this makes "multiples" significantly easier to manage. If you're making twenty thank-you information or a whole stack of wedding favors, you truly don't want to become spending three mins on every solitary heart. With the bundle, it's just stamps, punch, and you're onto the next one particular.
It's Not Just for February 14th
I think the biggest misunderstanding about anything heart-shaped is it has to be put aside as soon as Valentine's Day is over. I've in fact used my heart bundle more with regard to "just because" cards and anniversaries compared to anything else.
Consider it—hearts are simply the international symbol for "I treatment about you. " I recently made a card for a friend who had been dealing with a rough patch. I used the heart form but kept the particular colors very muted—soft blues and slate grays—and it didn't look like the Valentine at most. It just appeared like a hug within an envelope.
Anniversary and Wedding Vibes
When you have a wedding coming up, these types of bundles are a godsend. You can make use of the heart shapes to generate DIY confetti, place cards, or even tiny tags for the party favors. I enjoy using gold foil paper with the particular heart dies. There's something in regards to a sparkly gold heart on a clean white cardstock background that will looks so costly and professional, even when it only took you five a few minutes to put together.
Nice Baby Cards
Another great use? Baby showers! If you use soft pinks, mint greens, or even pale yellows, the particular heart shapes turn out to be very "nursery-chic. " You can level an inferior heart within a larger 1 to create the little focal stage for a "Welcome Little One" sentiment.
Obtaining Creative with Layering
One associated with my personal favorite techniques with the stampin up heart shaped bundle is making a THREE DIMENSIONAL effect through layering. Most of these types of bundles come with a few various sizes or types of hearts—sometimes a scalloped edge and the smooth edge.
What I actually like to do is punch out a scalloped heart inside a darker color of cardstock and then layer a slightly smaller, smooth-edged heart at the top along with some foam dimensionals. It gives the particular card some literal depth. In order to obtain really fancy, you can stamp a pattern on the top layer or even even heat emboss a sentiment in white or metallic. It makes the heart the superstar from the show.
Making Shaker Cards the simple Way
If you've by no means made a shaker card, you are usually missing out on a lot of fun. They're those cards with the little window stuffed with sequins or beads that rattle when you shake them. Using a heart-shaped die through your bundle is the easiest way in order to create that windowpane.
You simply cut the heart out of the front of the card bottom (or a best layer), stick a piece of acetate behind it, and then use polyurethane foam adhesive strips in order to create a small "well" for your sequins. It sounds complicated, but once you do it once, you'll be hooked. Seeing a bunch of tiny glittery hearts or sequins dancing around within a heart-shaped window is simply simple joyful.
Thinking Outside of the Cards
Don't limitation yourself to simply 2D projects. I've been using my heart punch to make little adornments for my advisor and even a few DIY bookmarks. If you punch out two hearts and stuff them together at the very top, they can slide within the corner of a page. It's a super adorable way to keep your put in place the book or a journal.
I've also seen individuals use these bundles to make 3D paper wreaths. You just punch out a ton of hearts in a variety of coordinating shades and glue them in a circle onto a cardboard boxes ring. It's a bit of a project, but the result is stunning and it's a great way to use up individuals scraps of patterned paper that we all seem to hoard.
My Top Tips for Using Your Bundle
After working way too a lot of hours at my art table, I've picked up some methods for getting probably the most out of the particular stampin up heart shaped bundle.
- Stamp very first, punch second. This might appear obvious, but if you're using the hand techinque, it's much simpler to line up your stamped image if you leave a little "handle" of paper. Don't cut your paper too small before you stamp!
- Occurs scraps. Heart shapes are little enough that you can usually fit them onto those weirdly shaped leftovers from other projects. I keep the little bin associated with "heart-sized" scraps simply for this purpose.
- Mix your own media. Don't be afraid to use the heart stamps with different types of printer ink. Try watermark printer ink for a refined look, or use your Stampin' Blends (alcohol markers) to color within the heart images for a vibrant, blended effect.
- Upside down hand techinque. When using the guide punch, hold this inverted so a person can see exactly where the stamped image is through the particular opening. This ensures you get a perfect boundary every time.
Exactly why Quality Matters
I know there are usually cheaper options away there, but I've found that the particular "bundle" approach from a reputable brand really does really make a difference in the finished product. There's nothing at all more frustrating compared to a punch that jams or a pass away that doesn't reduce all the method through the paper.
The coordination is what really sells it with regard to me, though. When the designer at the company has already figured out the actual scale so the sentiment fits completely in the heart, this takes the guesswork out of creating. Sometimes I simply want to sit lower and create something pretty without having to perform a bunch of "math" or testing.
Wrapping It Up
Whether you're an experienced pro or you're just starting in order to dip your feet into the world associated with paper crafting, a stampin up heart shaped bundle is usually one of those opportunities that you won't regret. It's flexible, it's high-quality, plus it just makes the particular whole process even more enjoyable.
I've found that will having the correct tools makes me more likely to actually sit back and make something. Instead of staring at the blank bit of cardstock and feeling overwhelmed, I can simply grab my heart bundle, a few of ink parts, and some very paper, and I'm halfway to a finished card. It's about making the particular creative process experience less like function and more like play. And honestly, isn't that why we all all started composing in the very first place?
Next time you're looking to include to your selection, definitely give the heart bundles a glance. A person might find yourself reaching for this way more frequently than you'd expect—I know I definitely do. Happy stamping!