Bloom With Hope

Sometimes I pull out my old annual catalogs for inspiration. This layout and stamp pattern come from the 2006-2007 catalog. I've used new products on it except for the Chocolate Chip ribbon. The stamp set is one of the current Hostess sets in the annual catalog called Bloom with Hope. It has beautiful images and lovely script. I stamped the flower and leaves with Perfect Plum and Always Artichoke and then used a damp brush to fill in the color before fussy cutting them out. The card stock here is the Naturals Ivory and Always Artichoke. The Naturals Ivory card stock is a heavier weight than Very Vanilla and has little flecks in it and holds up better than vanilla for this technique. The lower right panel is stamped using Hello Honey ink pad and clear block. The larger ribbon is the Hello Honey Quilted Cotton Ribbon from the Occasions catalog.

Missing in Action

The last time I tried to post my internet connection was so slow I gave up! So, I've been "missing in action" on my blog. But I've been having lots of fun creating. Thanks to Jackie Topa for this fun card that is created using the new blossom punch from Stampin' Up! I changed it up just a bit. Jackie used real sand to add texture to her ocean floor. I decided to just use by Wonderfully Worn background stamp to give it that detail. Just goes to show you there are always lots of ways to use the punches.

And this beautiful dogwood card is CASEd from Elizabeth Anderson. You use a small circle punch to "notch" the blossom punch petals. I used some of the retired Bridal paper DSP for my petals. And curling the petals on your blossoms add a nice touch, too. Just use your bone folder in a "curling ribbon" hold to do it.

This is a pocket card that I made using the new Build a Blossom set and punch from Stampin' Up! So much fun. I've made the pocket cards in the past... but added Designer SEries Paper and Big Shot embossing thanks to the idea from Frances Kukulis on stamping connection. It's kind of hard to see in the photo here but I had a "happy accident" on the insert for the pocket. I used the flower petal and stamped off several times to create the flower. Then, after taking a look at it I decided it needed a few more petals on the bottom edges. So, I inked the stamp again and pressed to paper and realized I had inked it with the green ink. Well, that just made the flower look so nice! I decided I would make some flowers like this as the focal point on future cards. I have yet to do that. There's just so many good ideas for all the new products in the mini catalog and the Sale-a-Bration brochure.

Today, I'm trying to clean up my stamping table. My work area is in the living room here at our condo in Florida. So, I'm really glad to have a family who puts up with my mess! But there comes a time when all that creating creates too much havoc and you've got to reorganize and clean up.

Thanks for looking!