A Fond Farewell...

The publication of the Retiring Stamps list is always bittersweet.  There is sadness to see some favourite stamp sets go, but also excitement as we wait to see what will replace them in the new catalogue.  Over the coming days I will feature projects that use some of my favourite retiring sets as my final farewell to them.  Today's project features two retiring A La Carte stamps:  Fine Flourish and Ornate Blossom, as well as the Sincere Salutations sentiment set, which is also retiring.  It also uses a cool technique:  emboss resist.  Have a look...

Multi-occasion card featuring Fine Flourish and Ornate Blossom A La Carte stamps with sentiment from Sincere Salutations

This design would work for  a weddding, anniversary, birthday...any other ideas?

I originally designed this card for a techniques class and then decided to go in another direction.  I don't often make square cards because of the additional postage costs, however, it is fun to work with a different shape now and again.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the emboss resist technique, here is a quick how-to:
Starting  with a square of whisper white card stock, I stamped the Fine Flourish image using concord crush ink.  I then inked the Ornate Blossom with Versamark and stamped it right over top of the first image, taking care to try to centre it.  I then heat embossed the blossom using clear embossing powder.  Then I inked up my  brayer with concord crush ink and covered the entire square with ink.  The embossed image  will resist the ink and the stamped image underneath will show through.  The final touch is to wipe any excess ink off of the embossed image using a tissue.  Simple, yet elegant. 
Another retiring set I'll miss a lot is Sincere Salutations:

Sincere Salutations (Item # 115068)

Such a versatile set with pretty fonts.  If this little gem isn't yet in your stamp collection you need to order it before May 31st or you'll  miss the chance for good.