The Above The Clouds Bundle and Shaving Cream Technique are the focus of today’s post. See two cards plus more backgrounds made with this fun and messy technique!
The two cards I’m sharing today include one that I would call a Clean and Simple design and the other is a stepped-up version with the shaving cream technique. The first card is where my creative process started. I have had the Above the Clouds Bundle for quite some time and yet this is the first card I’ve made with it. As it turns out, this stamp set is retiring very soon and so I just had to create with it before it’s gone! I love how this simple design came out!

The hot air balloons are each created by combining two images with one that lays over the top of the other.
This is called two-step stamping. The first image is stamped with full ink and the second is stamped with second ink in the same color, giving us two tones of the same color. Two-step stamping and using multiple layers of ink (stamping off) are two of the simplest paper-crafting techniques you can do and I use them all the time! You may also be able to tell that the clouds are stamped off as well. I’ve used Night of Navy ink with second and third inking for my clouds.

As you can see, for this second card I’ve added a number of additional details.
- I’ve changed the colors slightly for this card, replacing the Night of Navy ink and cardstock on the first card to Pacific Point ink and cardstock, for this card.
- Pacific Point ink is one of the ink colors used in the background, “sky” piece, along with some Shaded Spruce ink as well. This background was created using the shaving cream technique.

- All the outline images and the sentiment are stamped with Memento black ink. I needed to use this ink, in particular, so I could color the tiny hot air balloon images with blends alcohol markers.
- I’ve added a Basic Black layer behind the focal piece to tie in all the black elements.
- The tiny hot air balloons were then fussy cut and two of them were popped up on Dimensionals.
- The large hot air balloon is also on Dimensionals.

What do you think? Should I add some Wink of Stella?
As I look at the close-up photo above, I’m thinking I might want to add some Wink of Stella to the large hot air balloons. It would smooth out the grainy texture of these stamped images, plus give them some shimmer and shine too. Leave a comment and let me know what you think!
For this next focal piece, I used the shaving cream technique with the same ink refill colors as for the hot air balloon card above.
- After my piece was dry, I stamped my sentiment and then the horse images in Memento Black.
- Then I created a mask by stamping the horses on a post-it note and fussy cutting the images.
- I covered the horses with the mask, one at a time, and then stamped the trees in Garden Green ink.
- The horses were colored in with dark blends alcohol markers in Soft Suede and Smoky Slate.
The stamping for this focal piece was CASE’d (copy and share everything) from a project I saw on Pinterest made by Frenchie, a fellow Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.

The images used on this focal piece come from the Let It Ride stamp set which is retiring with the 2019 – 2020 Annual Stampin’ Up! Catalog.
This is another set I’ve barely managed to use but so happy to have played with it now. I really like the artwork in this stamp set. Aren’t the images pretty!?

For this next focal piece, I tried the shaving cream technique with a completely different color scheme.
Here I’ve used Mango Melody, Crushed Curry, and Daffodil Delight ink refills with the Soft Spring stamp set. I love this background and the contrast with the black foliage images stamped over the top!

The Soft Spring stamp set is a hostess set that you can only get when you host a Stampin’ Up! party.
In case you’re not aware, you don’t have to gather multiple orders to qualify to be a hostess. All you need is an order of $150 and your order qualifies for hostess rewards!!! Simply place your order of $150 or more in my online store and get hostess rewards now! OR… Contact me by clicking HERE to let me know you’d like to host an online party and I’ll create a hostess code just for YOU, that you can give to your friends!
This Soft Spring hostess set is in the current 2019 – 2020 Annual Catalog which means it will retire when this catalog retires on 6/2/20! I really love this set and I’m sad to say, this is the first time I’ve stamped with it. Crazy right?
Can you tell that I’m on a mission to use the stamp sets that have been neglected in my collection before they’re gone?

If you want to learn how to do the shaving cream technique make sure to check out my Facebook Live video at the end of this post.
In the photo here you’ll see a couple of additional shaving cream technique backgrounds I created during my live video. Also, in the video I was looking for, but could not find, a tool I created to do this technique. I found my “comb” made with skewers, after the live video, and have included it in the photo below. It’s simple to make and is really handy when playing with this technique.

Make sure to check out all the Last Chance Products in my Online Store.
Today I’ve used several products that will no longer be available very soon including the Above The Clouds Stamp Set and coordinating punch (get these together for a 10% discount), the Let It Ride Stamp Set, and the Soft Spring Hostess Set.

As you can probably tell by now the Shaving Cream Technique can be used with different color combinations and with lots of different stamps! This is such a fun and simple technique and I hope you’ll give it a try!
Thanks for spending some time with me today. Make sure to check out my video tutorial at the end of this post. Plus, you’ll find dimensions and a complete supply list there too!
Happy Crafting!
Melissa 🙂
More Going On Now
- “Taste of a Suite” Product Shares NOW Available to Preorder! Click HERE to learn more!
- Retiring Products Lists Now Available! Get your favorite products before they’re gone! Get discounts up to 60% Off! Click HERE to see all the retiring products in my online store.
- Become a Newsletter Subscriber and get Special Perks plus FREE Downloads too! Click HERE to subscribe!
- GET PERKS when you Place Orders through my online store! Receive FREE Project Kits. Click HERE for more details.
- Online Stamp Club Spots Now Available! Click HERE to learn more!
- Earn Loyalty Leaves with your purchases in my Online Store! Cash them in for FREE Stampin’ Up! products! Click HERE to learn more.
- Join me for my next Facebook Live Event on Thursday 5/14/20 at 7 pm EST. Find me on Facebook by clicking here: Melissa’s Crafting Treehouse Facebook Page
Click HERE to Shop in my Online Store Now!
Current Hostess Code:
KFAJ62VJ
Use the current hostess code to get Free Card Kits and other perks with your qualifying purchases!
If your order is $150 or more Do NOT use the hostess code! You’ll get hostess rewards AND Free Card Kits too!
Not sure how to apply the Hostess Code? Click HERE to learn more.
Click Below to See Retiring Products in my Online Store!
See the Jan. to Jun. 2020 Mini-Catalog PDF below.
Check out the 2019 – 2020 Annual Catalog PDF below.
Check out my Facebook Live and video tutorial here:
The project demonstration begins at around 9-½ minutes in case you’d like to jump ahead.
If you watched this video here on my blog and enjoyed it, please go on over to my YouTube channel and give it a Thumbs Up, Share it with friends and Subscribe to my YouTube Channel. I’d be so grateful! Plus, once you subscribe, you’ll have the option to click on the bell, to be notified whenever I publish a new video.
Project Dimensions:
Clean & Simple Card
- Shaded Spruce Card Body: 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″
- Night of Navy Focal Backing: 3-5/16″ x 4-9/16″
- Whisper White Focal: 3-1/8″ x 4-3/8″
- Mint Macaron Strip: 7/8″ x 3-7/8″
- Whisper White Inside Layer: 4″ x 5-1/4″
Shaving Cream Technique Card
- Shaded Spruce Card Body: 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″
- Pacific Point Layer: 3-5/8″ x 4-7/8″
- Basic Black Focal Backing: 3-5/16″ x 4-9/16″
- Whisper White Focal: 3-1/8″ x 4-3/8″
- Mint Macaron Strip: 7/8″ x 3-7/8″
- Whisper White Inside Layer: 4″ x 5-1/4″