Hi All,
I’m very sad that I only got to use the retiring set Picture Perfect once, on this card. The starfish is such a cool stamp in the set, so I’m using it while it’s still active. Plus it’s sea life, in line with this month’s challenge! It’s a two-step stamp, but I added a third step by partially coloring the second stamp with a different color. It looks very realistic! Here is a close-up:
I inked the background with distress oxide inks. I’m very surprised how often I’m using these inks considering how skeptical I was at the beginning! Here is a closer look at the background:
You can purchase the Picture Perfect set through May 31st. Enjoy the video!
Card Measurements:
| Element | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Circle | 3 3/4 inches | 9.5 cm |
| Card base | 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches | 10.8 x 14 cm |
Supplies:
 Picture Perfect |
 Nesting Circle Dies S.COM|BLSY |
 Distress Oxide – Faded Jeans EH|SSS |
 Distress Oxide – Broken China EH|SSS |
 Distress Oxide – Walnut Stain EH|SSS |
 Gansai Tambi White EH|SSS |
 Pumice Stone Distress Ink EH|SSS |
 Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink EH|SSS |
 Walnut Stain Distress Ink EH|SSS |
 Gathered Twigs Marker EH|SSS |
 Hero Hues Black EH|SSS |
 Canson Mix Media Paper BLSY|AMZN |
 Crumb Cake Cardstock |
 Neenah Cardstock EH|SSS |
 Mini Scoreboard EH|SSS |
 Sizzix Big Shot S.COM|JOA |
 Ranger Mini Round Blending Tools EH | SSS |
 Sponge Daubers EH|SSS |
 Stamp-a-ma-jig SSS|SU |
 Dimensionals |
 ATG Tape Runner EH|SSS |
Connie
I like this card. It would make a great masculine Happy Birthday card. There’s still time for anyone interested to buy this retired Stampin Up stamp set. It would be a shame for you not to be able to use it again, especially since there are a number of other great stampsin the set as well.
lovinpaper
I own this set and haven’t used it much. Your starfish looks realistic. I like that. Hope to try stamp a bit with that set in the near future.
stampyKat
That is weird how REAL it looks!! Would never have guessed that was a stamp!
Patti
Darlene, I thought this was a real starfish! I thought, now why would Darlene put a big, clunky starfish on a card? So simple, yet so amazing. Thanks for sharing your talent!
changedbyHim
I reiterate what everyone else said at how realistic the starfish appears. Just curious, why wouldn’t you be able to use it again, any time you like? Is there a rule that prohibits use of a retired stamp set? I thought you did not belong to Stampin’ Up any longer.
Darlene DeVries
There’s nothing stopping me from using them if I want. However, if someone likes the card and wants to purchase the supplies, they won’t be able to because the stamp set is no longer available. And especially if it’s something special like this one, which you can’t easily substitute with another set. I’m sure many people think it’s not a big deal, but there are several people who don’t like when that happens. Many people get unhappy when something is temporarily out of stock that I’ve used. So, I just generally try to use what is available so everyone is happy. 🙂
Connie
I appreciate how you bend over backwards to accommodate everyone. That’s what makes you so special! I’d like to mention though that there are plenty of places in Australia to buy retired Stampin Up stamps long after they are no longer for sale at SU. So the US must have even more places to buy them after they retire. We have a wonderful website in Australia that specialises only in SU retired stamps dies, etc etc at great prices. They are also available on eBay – often new and sometimes used but in good condition. I’ve never had a problem buying a retired SU stamp set and own quite a few because of the big savings!
Connie
Darlene, I agree with Jan’s comment below. I think a polling question would sort out this question once and for all. We’ve all discussed the increasing price of SU stamp sets especially. The polling results may reveal that only a few disgruntled ones do not reflect the majority.
mjs1033
Darlene, I can’t believe that is not a real starfish simply glued on the card!
Myra
I had the same question as changedbyHim. Why not use them?
Darlene DeVries
Hi Myra – I just replied above.
swimbikerunat60
Darlene, I thought you actually fussy cut a picture from a magazine, the star fish is absolutely gorgeous.
Love the beautiful sponged background, it really looks like a small section of a beach.
Awesome card, thank you for sharing.
Hugs,
Maria.
doloresroberson
Just a comment, do you ever look in your “All Cards” section and scroll down to the bottom and see how many cards you have actually posted. I just did and was awed. Keep up the good work. We all enjoy the work you do!
darlene
Thank you Dolores! I just did what you said and yes, there are quite a few! Another thing I found interesting was that the cards closer to the top are cooler colors, and the cards closer to the bottom are warmer colors. You have to scroll kind of fast to see it. It’s strange!
Shirley H
This starfish card is one of my all-time favorite cards you’ve made. I’m so impressed with your ink choices as they all seem perfect to compliment each other.
Andrea
Wow! I thought, when I first saw the card, that the starfish was a photo-realistic sticker! You did an awesome job on color selection for your stamping inks, and I agree that the shading you did with the marker adds a lot. Love the overall look of the card, too. 🙂 ~ Andrea
Fieldem
Love this card! Great job!
Carol Mac
Yup…I agree with Andrea, the addition of the marker made a huge difference!! I don’t have distress markers, but I am sure I could use a SU marker and do the same thing! I have had this set since it came out and never used the star fish! Can you believe it? I will use it now…I can think of about 5 different sentiments to put on this card! Awesome! 😎
Jan
Absolutely stunning! I have had this stamp set on my list for awhile. I must get it now. Maybe you could do 1 card a month with stamps that are no longer available or add to the polling question.
Becky
What a beautiful card! I’m with everyone else on this; the starfish looks amazingly real.
Colorful Card Maker
Oh my gosh! I have a real starfish, a dried one anyway. It looks just like yours! I really thought that was real and not a stamp like everyone said. Wow! I don’t have this set and I don’t have a lot of sea or ocean stamps.I really like how it looks though. Real is always a good thing but sometimes I don’t do real like my multi colored hydrangeas. Hydrangeas aren’t multi colored in real life but when I do them they are.
stampinspicer
Wow that starfish looks 3D and just pops off the card!!
Glenismaree
I am very impressed with the starfish, you did an amazing job. I personally, am not a lover of sea shells, starfish etc. but that starfish is very impressive. Great card Darlene.
Brenda L.
Wow, this is gorgeous Darlene! That starfish looks very real indeed!! Hugs, Brenda
Caly
The starfish looks great! I still have not used my distress oxide inks…I need some time to play with them. You make it look so easy!
Wensfun
Thank you for making this card! I have the stamp set & I may never have tried these stamps if it wasn’t for you, Darlene. I unabashedly copied your card & I am SO pleased with the results. I so appreciate you and love all that you do. Thank you!
jennyjo88
Unbelievable how truly realistic your starfish looks. You never cease to amaze me!