Did you see yesterday’s five star kick off to my January to June Mini Catalogue sneak peeks? Today’s project is a simple card using another new stamp set. Daffodil Daydream is simply gorgeous and perfect for spring crafting. There are two main daffodil images, a butterfly, a decorative border, and a fine splatter image. The “Easter blessings” and “Happy Mother’s Day” sentiments are quite specific and not everyone will need, these but that’s just two stamps out of the set. Oh, and did I mention that you’ll be able to get a set of coordinating dies too? More about that later.

DANCING DAFFODILS

Today I wanted to concentrate on the Daffodil Daydream Stamp Set and the largest of the images. This is a beautiful line art image featuring a clump of three open daffodils and a bud. It’s simple to colour but also looks beautiful as is.

I began my project by stamping the flower image three times using Tuxedo Black ink. First I stamped it coming in from the right hand edge on the front of a Basic White Medium Envelope. Then I stamped it coming in from the right-hand edge on a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card. Finally I stamped the entire image onto a 2-3/4″ x 5-1/2″ piece of Basic White Card.

To colour the images I used Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers starting with Granny Apple Green for the leaves. For the daffodil trumpets I first used dark Pale Papaya, and then added dark Daffodil, Delight. Finally I coloured the bud and the petals of each flower with dark Daffodil Delight.

To complete my project I just needed two more pieces of card. For my card base I used my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Thick Basic White Card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder. After cutting a 2-1/8″ x 5-1/2″ piece of Basic Black Card I was ready to start putting everything together.

PARTIAL CUT IMAGE

I started simply with the larger Basic White layer. Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed the layer inside the card base.

Next I laid the Basic Black piece on the front of the card, up against the crease. This allowed me to see exactly where to stamp my sentiment. Today I chose “Easter Blessings” and stamped it using Tuxedo Black ink. Then I set the card base and black layer aside for a moment.

Now came the tricky part, partially cutting the main daffodil image. First I placed the image onto my Paper Trimmer with the left edge of the piece at the 2″ mark. This meant that the very right-hand side of the image was over the cutting track. Then I carefully pushed the cutting blade from the bottom up towards the lower edge of the bud. After lifting the blade track up I moved the blade to the very top, then closed it and cut from the top of the layer down to the top edge of the first leaf.

With the bulk of the layer cut, all I had to do was trim around the rest of the right-hand edge of the image using Paper Snips.

TIP – If you use a guillotine or rotary-style paper cutter this type of partial cutting is more challenging, but not impossible. The simplest method is to draw a light pencil line where you want the straight cut to be. Then you can hand-cut that with scissors or a craft knife before cutting around the flowers.

Once I’d finished fussy-cutting I used liquid glue to mount the layer onto the Basic Black Card, lining up the left-hand edges. Then with Stampin’ Dimensionals I fixed the assembled piece to the card front and my project was complete.

I love the contrast between the white and black card and the way the daffodils spill over the edge of the layer. It’s a simple technique but creates quite a striking look. Have you ever tried this?

DAFFODIL DAYDREAM

The Daffodil Daydream Stamp Set will be available for customers to buy starting on January 4th. Also available will be coordinating Daffodil Dies which cut out the daffodils and butterfly images. This set of 24 dies also creates the most amazing layered daffodils, and I’ll show you these another day. You’ll be able to buy the stamp set and dies by themselves, but if you want both make sure you order using the ‘bundle’ item number. This will save you 10% off buying them separately.

If you love daffodils make sure that you order this bundle early so you can get the Daffodil Afternoon 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper from the Sale-A-Bration Brochure. You can choose this gorgeous paper for free with a $60CAD order (before shipping and taxes). Just be aware that the paper is only available as part of the Sale-A-Bration promotion which starts on January 4th, and while stocks last.

That’s all from me for today. So while I go and play with some more new products, here’s a close up look at the Daffodil Daydream Stamp Set.

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