Venice Stamp Challenge

Venice Layout

by Piradee Talvanna

Another great layout from Piradee, one of our stamp winners.  She embossed the stamp images on little cards to create this great layout.  Read below how she did it...

Cut rectangular pieces of white cardstock with dimensions of 2.5" x 3.5"; total of 6 pieces were used.

Then select your favorite stamps (which just happens to be all of them); I inked the stamp with Versa mark and sprinkle clear embossing powder from American Crafts to create the images.
After applying the embossing powder, I used the heat gun to seal the images and then with baby wipes applied the distressed inks over the images. I used Tim Holtz distress ink - Brushed Corduroy & Frayed Burlap colors.  Then, after allowing the ink to dry abit, I sprayed Tattered Angels Iridescent gold mist over the cards to give it that shimmer metalic look.

Supply list details:
- cardstock: american crafts
- pattern papers: 7 gypsies - green script, brown music, black and white fleur de lys
- stamp: 7 gypsies - Venice Clear stamp
- vintage ephemera: 7 gypsies
- ink: tim holtz (brushed corduroy & frayed burlap)
- mist: tattered angels (iridescent gold) and maya road (brown)
- embossing powder: american crafts (clear)
- flowers: prima
- pins: maya road
- buttons, alphas: american crafts
- twine: shabby green door

Little Cottage gift box

by Christine de Plata 

Christine created this charming gift box from a printable pattern and added the Venice stamp to accent the design.  The perfect way to personalize the little cottage.

I created the gift box house using a printable template called Home Made from Papertrey Ink.  The base of the box was created with kraft cardstock covered with some patterned paper.  Using Papertrey Ink's coordinating stamp set, Home Made, I stamped the windows on some vintage book pages and painted on sky blue Shimmerz paint to mimic the look of glass.  The door was stamped on a piece of white cardstock and I used Lemon Yellow liquid pearls to make the doorknob pop a bit.  I used the Venice Stamps to add some final accents above the front door (Molto Bello) and side windows (architectural element) which completed the feel I was going for, beautiful vintage. 

For the roof of the house, before assembling it I used a CHF Aged Sheet Music scrapblock and tea dye distress ink to give it more interest.  I used the clock image from the Venice set on the sides of the roof.  Before adding the shingles portion, I used scor-tape to attach some cream colored lace under the eaves.  I really loved using the Venice stamps as the perfect final accent and can't wait to use them on more projects!

Venice Stamp Challenge

by Penny Bennington

Penny used the back of three 2 1/2" square mini canvases to create these terrific mini masterpieces.

This is how she did it:

Cut a piece of patterned paper the size of the opening on the back of the canvas. (For these, I used a 1 7/8" square of Victoria paper-Pandora.) Stamp desired image from the Venice stamp set, add scrap of vintage sheet music, vintage photo image (mine use images of Lina Cavalieri from Digital Collage Sheets   and piece of Dresden scrap.  Wrap a piece of Venice gaffer tape around the outside of the frame, and add 2 small pieces on the wooden face of the frame to bracket the opening, left and right. Using Versafine black ink, stamp Molto Bello or very beautiful directly onto the wood frame.  The lamppost is stamped onto white cardstock and colored with Patina Glimmer Mist then cut out and
adhered to the frame.  More Dresden scrap can be added to the wooden frame where desired.

Thanks Penny for some great inspiration, we love how you used the stamps as a simple background...just perfect for our own mini masterpieces!

Victoria Pandora paper

Venice gaffer tape

Venice Stamp Challenge

by Rhonda Van Ginkel 

Rhonda was a winner of one of the Venice stamp sets...and just look what she made using paper from the Venice line and the stamps!  

"I distress inked the cream cardstock for my background color using antique linen and weathered wood ranger distress inks, then polished off the sides with walnut stain." 

"I used my weathered wood ink with the Venice stamps to create a soft timeless background on the interior card.  I used black StazOn for the Molto Bello sentiment.  The same techniques were applied to my ticket on the ribbon.I really love these stamps, seriously they are just my style!!"

Thanks Rhonda, great job!

Venice Stamp Layouts

You have seen a lot of this Venice stamp this week but we couldn't bypass the opportunity to share some layouts with you before we move on.  The first uses the February Product Challenge Venice stamp and the other two are here for just plain inspiration.  Enjoy! 

Venice Layout 
by Charlene Byrd

When we saw this one up close we were surprised by all the different stamps used... the envelope, the corner and just tucked into little spaces.  Can you find which stamps Charlene used to make this fabulous two page layout? 

We LOVE this corner of the layout...inking, stamping and layering all come together to make a fabulous focal point.

We asked Charlene to tell us how she created the fabulous layered corner...

1. Cut a piece of wide lace about 6" long. Set the lace on top of the envelope and spray with Carmel Apple Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels. Remove the lace and let both the envelope and lace dry.

2. Once the envelope is dry ink the edges with Pinecone Ink Versa Color by Tsunikeo. Use Timber Brown Staz On ink to stamp randon script images on the envelope. Stamp the lamp post in the bottom corner and the word Journal.

3. To bunch the lace tie it tightly in the middle with crochet cotton (it's the perfect thin string). Secure this to the corner of the envelope.

4. Punch random circles from coordinating pattern paper 3", 2 3/4", 2 1/2" and a 1 1/2". Use a scalloped circle punch to punch a 2" and a 1 1/4" circle. Dampen them slightly with water or Glimmer Mist to help in crumpling them. Once they are dry, layer them one on top of the other adding foam squares to help add dimension. Secure a piece of ribbon under the large scallop punch.

5. Cut a 6" piece of film strip. Tuck the edge of the film strip under the flower. While you fold the filmstrip, staple to secure it through only the top layer of the envelope.

6. Attach the envelope to your layout.

7. Add the Bar Book Turn on the left side of the envelope.

8. Tie crochet cotton into the button and secure on top of the flower. Add the flower with a foam square.

9. Secure the top of the transparent 'o' onto paper and add a torn piece of paper to cover your adhesive. Add a piece of stripe paper on top. Use the Tim Holtz (Tonic) Paper Distressor to distress the edges. Wrap with string, knot and tie in a bow. Add the 'Our Story' stamp. Insert this into the envelope along with the Daily Dose card which has also been misted with Carmel Apple Glimmer Mist.

Here are a couple more close ups-

Product used:
7Gypsies - Venice paper

7Gypsies  - Venice clear stamp

7Gypsies - Bar Book Turn 
7GYpsies - Disclaimer Clear stamp
("urgent, please write all the really important stuff here" stamps)

Pink Paislee paper (used under the 'o' transparency and the large photo corner)
Envelope
'O' transparency -Daisy D
Daily Dose Journaling card -My Mind's Eye
Flowers -Prima

Film Strip -Tim Holtz
Edge Distressor (Tonic)
Bazzill Cardstock
Misc lace, crochet cotton, buttons, ribbon.

Love You

by Piradee Talvanna 

Piradee sent us this great Venice layout after we contacted her that she was one of the winners of the Venice stamp sets.  

 She used 3 colors of paper from the Venice line along with stickers from the new "N is for Nest" 97% complete sticker and some of our French ribbon.

Since Piradee was one of the winners of the Venice stamp sets, we are looking forward to seeing more of her work in the near future!

Posing for Mom

 by Darien Anderson 
Here's another great layout we came across.   We love the little detail where the paper is rolled back to reveal the stripe on the backside of the paper.

Here's how Darien did it:
"Use Glimmer Mist and Stencil calculating where you want the detail, then simply rip the 7gypsies paper - LIDO without being accurate, just using my fingers, as long as you want. Then roll the edges of the paper that was ripped and roll them tucked underneath the paper and glue it using glue dots. I used a flower from my stash and some Basic Gray bling to finish it off."

Other product used:

Glimmer Mist
Basic Grey Bling

Bazzill 12 x12 Cardstock - French Vanilla
Martha Stuart Punch "Classic Butterfly"

Distress Crackle paint ( For the Title) " Antique linen"

You can see more of Darien's work on her blog, Loving Life.

February Product Challenge

It's the first of the month so you know what that means...product challenge!  This month the product is our Venice Clear stamp.

We would love to see what you can do with this stamp so how can you get one?
1.  Go to your nearest store that carries 7gypsies and buy it.
2.  Order online here on the website or here.
3.  or if your feeling lucky you might just win one here!

Post a comment by Wed, Feb 3rd at midnight and we will choose 5 lucky winners to receive a stamp set.  The only requirement is you must send us a photo of what you make with the stamp!  If you don't win, you will still have time to get one at your local store or online. If you have the stamp already...get started now!   

For all those who participate in the product challenge you will be entered to win a 7gypsies prize package that includes Venice paper, paper tape - patterned and naked, chipboard letters/numbers and more.  You can enter the product challenge by creating something with our Venice stamp set, taking a photograph or two and emailing the photograph to oneluckyday@verizon.net by Feb 26th.  

We know there are a lot of you gypsy girls out there...you just need a good challenge.

Show us what you can do!

A new addition to your tool box...

Have you seen the new white Photo Tray that was released with the Venice collection? Well, we have seen them up close and they are fabulous! The new white trays come in both the 4 x 6 version as seen here and in the ATC size. Now since we have been working with the trays getting ready for CHA we have found a new tool to add to our tool box...the wooden skewer.

skewer |ˈskyoōər| noun a long piece of wood or metal used for holding pieces of food, typically meat, together during cooking.

We have found this to be a most useful tool when working with the trays. Here's how: Say you put a picture in one of the rectangles, but then you change your mind (like that never happens). Just reach for your handy wooden skewer, we bought ours at the dollar store...mind you there's enough in the package for a lifetime of trays as well as shish kebab-ing for a mob on the weekend. The skewer is just right to get into the corner and pop the picture right back out without scratching or cutting anything. Can you tell what tool we WERE using before we found the skewer?

We also thought you might like better look at one of the new white Photo Trays using the new Venice line.

In the first square you can see our new 97% sticker, N is for Nest. Did you notice the little book that says, "a short guide to us?" tucked behind the black book belt? (she just cut the book belt with scissors to make it fit). The stickers in the center bottom are adhered at different levels. Some are right on the backing and other are mounted on one or two pieces of book book to create the different heights. A few even have copper tape on the edges. The numbers in the last square relate to the house number where the family lives (must be a love nest).
We hope you like the new white trays and the new Venice line as much as we do.