Aloha Aqua Flower

Today's post name comes from the creativity of my ten-year old. My creativity is better expressed in card-making (I would've called it Aqua Hello Card. Pretty boring, I know.)

I did have a lot of fun with the Fusion Challenge -- I just love the aqua ombre wedding cake! I tried to fancy up my card by using the lacy swirly circle die along with a background stamp that I got at 70% off after Valentine's and have finally gotten around to using. (It's so hard to justify buying more stuff when I haven't used what i own, but who can pass up a 70% off clearance bargain?!).

I started by creating the narrow panel by clear embossing the stamped image then blending three shades of distress inks, from lightest to darkest, over that. The darker panel was created by first covering the paper with distress ink then stamping the background pattern with Brilliance Moonlight White Ink to give it a subtle shimmer. I had in mind to use the same flowers for both cards, but I ran out of white flowers so I had to improvise. I use coffee filters to catch my embossing powders or glitter, so I just grabbed one, die cut the flowers from it, then inked them with distress inks and Brilliance. I also added another wish-list item from this card: I wanted to stamp 'thinking of you', but I didn't have a stamp with just the right font or size for this label. Who knew that having several of the same sentiment stamps would STILL not be enough?! And the stash will continue to grow....can't wait for Christmas!

Supplies Used:

Inks: Tumbled Glass, Broken China & Peacock Feathers Distress Inks; 

Brillance Moonlight White, VersaMark

Stamps: Recollections Background Stamp, Verve & TSOL sentiments

Dies: Heartfelt Creations Layered Elegant Swirl, Sizzix Swirls, 

ODBD Vintage Flourish Pattern, Nestabilities Rose Creations

Other: Spare Parts Flowers, Clear Embossing Powder, Forever in Time Gems

Fall Flower Patch Cards

I followed the sketch for Mojo Monday Sketch 370 and used the Fall color palette from Cupcake Inspirations Challenge 285. I didn't think I had the right stamps to make a Fall card, but with the right colors, the Flower Patch Stamp Set from Stampin' Up works well. I'm going to try and make a more feminine version of these cards (both of which I made for male relatives). 

The background piece was made by stamping the flowers first, then masking them to add the leaves. I learned that it is critical to carefully cut your mask, as you can really mess up your project quickly if you over-stamp where you didn't intend to. I also learned that no matter how much time you put into making all the pieces, if you don't pay attention when you are assembling it with super-sticky tape, you could ruin your work! I accidentally taped the flower panel upside down, and that little white spot on the top right ended up on the bottom left. I couldn't let the error go; I had to cut the green background piece and re-assemble to put the flower strip on the way I wanted it. Picky, I know, but I am very happy with the end result now! TFL!

Another similar card
Supplies Used:

Stamps: SU Flower Patch, Rubber Stampede Sentiment

Paper: SU Old Olive & Tangerine Tango

Ink: SU Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight

Other: SU Flower Fair Framelits, Fiskars Threading Water Edger Punch, SU Candy Dot