Usually when I sit down to make a new project I begin with dies or a stamp set that inspires me. However today was quite different as all I had in my mind was a colour, Pale Papaya. This is one of the Stampin’ Up! 2021-2023 In Colors that are due to be retired at the end of April. So with the colour in my head I went looking for something to use it on. That’s when I rediscovered the pretty Cottage Rose Stamp Set and coordinating Cottage Flowers Dies.

DELICATE COTTAGE ROSE

I began with the large rose image and immediately knew I wanted to keep my colour scheme soft. So instead of using Tuxedo Black or another dark colour I stamped the image using Crumb Cake ink on Thick Basic White Card.

Then I set to work colouring the image using Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers. First I used light Pale Papaya on all the rose petals. Then in the centre I used dark So Saffron, before using light So Saffron to add a hint of colour to the Gypsophilia. Finally I chose dark Soft Sea Foam for the leaves. Without any blending of colours this really was a quick and easy process.

Now all I needed to do was cut out the completed flower using the coordinating die from the Cottage Flowers Dies.

Next I chose the “Feel better real soon” sentiment from the Cottage Rose Stamp Set. After stamping it onto Thick Basic White Card with Crumb Cake ink I fussy-cut around the words using my Paper Snips and set it aside with the rose.

CUSTOM BACKGROUND

Now I needed a card base and background. I started by using my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Thick Basic White Card. After folding the card along the scored line I sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder.

Next I took a large piece of Saran Wrap and scrunched it up into a loose ball. Then I lightly tapped the ball onto the Pale Papaya ink pad, tapped off onto scrap paper and gently tapped onto the card base a few times. I repeated this process until I’d gone over the whole of the card front with this delicate abstract effect.

I really like this background technique so repeated the process over the flap of a Basic White Medium Envelope.

Then I cut a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card and used the Saran Wrap technique to decorate a 1″ strip down the right-hand side. After cutting a 1/8″ x 5-1/4″ strip of Soft Sea Foam Card I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) to fix the strip against the left edge of the inked area. Then I glued the completed layer inside the card base.

All I needed now was to create some additional layers for the card front and I began by cutting a 2-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ piece of Soft Sea Foam Card.

Next I cut a 2″ x 5-1/2″ piece of Pale Papaya Card and embossed it using the Metal Plate 3D Embossing Folder. Then I put liquid glue on the raised side of the embossed card before attaching it to the Soft Sea Foam strip. With that done I glued the assembled layers onto the card front.

Then I added the die-cut rose to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals, followed by the sentiment. Finally I added some Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewels around the rose and my project was complete.

I love how this card turned out, I’ll have to try starting with colour as my inspiration more often. What do you think?

For another card using this stamp set and dies see my earlier blog post Abigail Rose to the rescue.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Cottage Rose Stamp Set in a bundle with the coordinating Cottage Flowers Dies. Buying the two products using the single ‘bundle’ item number meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying them separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle below in case you want to explore that option.