Spring has been a long time coming. It’s as if the alarm went off but she hit the snooze button and went back to sleep for a few extra weeks. Finally though my crab apple trees have come into leaf and the blossoms are hopefully not far behind. So with warmer weather and blue skies outside I was inspired to make a project using the new Forever Flourishing Dies.

A LITTLE PREPARATION

I began my gift tag by cutting a 2″ x 3-1/2″ piece of Thick Very Vanilla Card. Then using some Stampin’ Sponge I covered one side with Seaside Spray ink. To give it a mottled appearance instead of sweeping the sponge over the surface I applied the ink with a gentle tapping motion.

Once the sponging was done I added the oval hole at the top using the Detailed Trio Punch.

My “just for you” sentiment from the retiring Vibrant Vases Stamp set came next. Using Old Olive ink I stamped it onto Thick Very Vanilla Card then cut around it using my Paper Snips.

BLOSSOM BRANCH

To create my pretty blossom branch I started with the new Forever Flourishing Dies. I chose the largest die in the set and used it to cut out some Old Olive Card.

Then for the blossoms I turned to the Cherry Blossom Dies. In this set there are a couple of rectangular ‘plate’ dies, each one cuts two identical flowers. As well as cutting the flowers the dies also cut out a star shape from the centre of each one.

First I cut four of the larger flowers and two of the smaller ones from Petal Pink Card. Then I did the same from scraps of So Saffron Card, just so I could use the centre pieces.

Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed the Forever Flourishing branch to the front of my tag. Then I glued on three of the larger flowers and two of the smaller ones. I finished each flower by adding the So Saffron stars to the centre with more liquid glue. The leftover flower pieces I put in a little baggie to use another time.

With the branch complete I added the sentiment using pieces of Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Finally I threaded some 1/4″ Old Olive ribbon from the new Ornate Garden Ribbon Combo Pack through the hole and tied it in a simple knot.

FOREVER FLOURISHING

This gift tag turned out even better than I’d hoped. When I first saw the Forever Flourishing Dies I knew I’d have to get them. The 14 dies provide a variety of sizes and shapes of leafy branches that will definitely fill a gap in my collection. Six of the dies coordinate with the beautiful Forever Fern Stamp Set, but more about that another day.

In the meantime here’s a look at all the dies in the Forever Flourishing set.

PRODUCT LIST

RETIRING PRODUCT – The Vibrant Vases Stamp Set is retiring and now only available while stocks last.