One of the best things about Stampin’ Up! is their dedication to product coordination. So I know when I choose one of their 50 exclusive colours it will match with other items in the same colour. In addition, many of their stamp sets are designed with coordinating tools and/or paper. Take the Happiness Abounds Stamp Set, there’s dies to cut out some of the images, plus those same dies cut out images on the Hues of Happiness Designer Series Paper (DSP) too! This was my starting point for today’s project.

BLOSSOMING HAPPINESS DIES

I began by choosing a couple of multi-leaf images and large open flower image on one of the sheets in the Hues of Happiness DSP pack. Then I found the matching dies from the Blossoming Happiness set and cut them out.

I could have left these pieces as they were but I wanted to try something new, so I pulled out my Take Your Pick tool. Next I placed the die-cut pieces face up on a Stampin’ Pierce Mat. Then, using the larger end of the embossing/scoring attachment, I gently ‘drew’ around the edge of each leaf and flower petal. Now, when I flipped the pieces over I could see the embossed lines showing the edge of each part of the images. Finally I used a very gentle circular motion with the tool to stretch the fibres in each individual section. Now when flipped the pieces over again the individual petals and leaves were slightly raised. To accentuate this a little more I finished off by ‘drawing’ round the edges of the leaves and petals again with the tool.

With the accent pieces ready I turned my thoughts to the tag base. Going back to the Blossoming Happiness Dies I chose the largest die with lots of tiny leaves. This die cuts some of the leaves out completely, but others remain partially attached. I centred the die on a 2-3/8″ x 4-1/8″ piece of Soft Sea Foam Card and then ran it through my Cut & Emboss Machine.

Accentuating the details of created by the die was my next task. So using a Blending Brush I added some Granny Apple Green ink to the card layer. Then, after changing to the piercing attachment on my Take Your Pick Tool, I simply used the point to lift up the partially attached leaves.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Before I could start putting the tag together I still needed a sentiment and turned to the Happiness Abounds Stamp Set. Using Tuxedo Black ink I stamped “Happy birthday” onto some Thick Basic White Card. Then with Paper Snips I cut around the sentiment following its general shape.

For the tag base I cut a 2-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ piece of Granny Apple Green Card. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I mounted the inked die-cut layer on top. Next I added a small hole in the centre of one of the short sides using the Label Me Fancy Punch.

From the five colours in the Baker’s Twine Essential Pack I chose white and cut a 6″ piece. Then after threading the twine through the hole I tied the ends together with a simple knot.

Now I was back to where I started with the flower and leaves cut from the Hues of Happiness DSP. After flipping them over I added pieces of Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the stretched areas. Then when I attached them to the tag these little pieces of foam supported the raised details.

Finally with a few more Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals I added the sentiment and my gift tag was complete.

I love the look of this tag and it’s such a shame that you can’t feel the texture on the flower and leaves. Why not give this technique a try and let me know what you think by leaving a comment below.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Happiness Abounds Stamp Set and coordinating Blossoming Happiness Dies using a single ‘bundle’ item number. This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I’ve included links for both options below in case you want to explore these further.