Every other page on the internet seems to have a hack for something. Sometimes the use of these hacks is dubious, but today's tip and technique for the weekend is a little stamping hack that may come in handy some day. 

Enamel dots can add that little something that every card seems to need. But, what do you do if don't have just the right color of enamel dot for your project? Make your own of course!

For this card, I wanted some beautiful Bermuda Bay enamel dots to match the ring at the center of the card. (Btw, check back next week for directions on how to make this really fun gate-fold card.) 

The larger dots were a little easier because I simply attached them to the strip of glue dots. Then, I dabbed them on the Versamark pad. Some of the ink went on the backing sheet, but I pressed down primarily on the dots, so the paper didn't get lots of embossing powder on it. The little powder that was there didn't cause any problems for the creating the dots. 

For the large dots, I embossed them three times instead of two to get the level of embossing I wanted. I think the final product looks a lot like a regular enamel dot!

 Sometimes you want to make cards that are a little extra - extra intricate, extra flashy, extra special. Today's Wow Wednesday card delivers all of that! 

A glitzy gold circle frames a window to the inside of the card. The frosted window, created by adding a piece of vellum, adds a hint of elegance. Vellum is a very thin paper that softens the appearance of the image under it. 

I began this card by stamping the rose image from Stampin' Up!'s To a Wild Rose stamp set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink on Whisper White card stock. I then masked the rose and stamped the leaves in Tuxedo Black as well. Coloring the rose was so quick and easy with Stampin' Up!'s blends. These are alcohol markers that come in packs of two with a light and dark marker for each color. This allows you to easily blend the colors to give dimension to the image by adding shading and highlights. I used Mango Melody blends for the rose and Old Olive blends for the leaves. 

I then cut a circle in the Mango Melody card stock using the layering circles. To give the circle a frame of bling, I used two dies to cut a thin circle outline from glitter paper and adhered it to the card. 

I finished the card with a die cut thank you sentiment from Stampin' Up!'s Well Written dies. After cutting the words, I embossed them three times using a Versamark pad and black embossing powder. This gives the sentiment an enameled look. 

This card gives a high class look, but is still pretty quick and easy. 

​Does Monday leave you with a lack of inspiration? One of the best ways to get started stamping is by CASE-ing – Copy and Steal Everything. The Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog provides tons of inspiration, like this gorgeous card using the To a Wild Rose stamp set found on page 140. You can copy the ideas exactly (or nearly exactly like I did on this card) or you can use the samples as inspiration. Maybe you like the colors or the layout or the way the sample card uses a piece of thread. Use these ideas to make your own creations. Spending some time browsing the catalog will have your stamp inspiration flowing in no time!

​To create the white edge on your card, use painter’s tape to cover the outside edges of the card. Then stamp your images.

​Back to our card. If you remember, I had taped the edges and stamped the roses. 

​​For the second card, I used a punch to cut out the greeting and attached it with satin ribbon and some Stampin’ Dimensionals. I also added a few rhinestone jewels to give it a little sparkle. 



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​The final card isn’t any more difficult to make, it just uses even more supplies which allowed me to give it even more texture. I used the coordinating Wild Rose dies to cut out the leaves and little branches from Soft Suede and velum cardstock. I also used the Layering Circle dies to cut out the greeting and mount it on Melon Mambo and vellum cardstock. I added a strip of white and Melon Mambo cardstock to the card and used the Subtle embossing folder on the Melon Mambo to give it the look of rough fabric.