Well once again we’re in the middle of a storm, all wind and rain this time, but still… What’s more, looking at the forecast there’s not going to be much of a respite. Right now we have two more systems heading our way, and these may bring snow. What I would give for a few sunny days. In fact right now I’d settle for just one golden afternoon.

I suppose today’s project came out of that wish for nicer weather when I can sit on the deck and appreciate our lovely rural surroundings. The new Golden Afternoon Stamp Set reminded me that it won’t be too long before new leaves appear on the trees.

REALLY SIMPLE START

I began with a simple sponged background on Whisper White Card. Using some Stampin’ Sponge I quickly added some Balmy Blue ink over most of the layer, and Old Olive nearer the bottom.

I’d already decided to add some sponging to the inside of my card and the envelope so I did that next. Instead of covering the whole front of the Whisper White Medium Envelope I just sponged around the edges. Then I did the same around the edges of a layer of Whisper White Card.

Whisper White would also form the card base. So using my Stampin’ Trimmer I cut and scored some Thick Whisper White Card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder.

GOLDEN AFTERNOON

Now it was time for the Golden Afternoon Stamp Set.

The images in this set are quite detailed but for my first project I wanted to keep things fairly simple.

Using Old Olive Ink I stamped the large tree image coming in from the left side on my main sponge panel.

Then once again in Old Olive ink, I stamped the smaller tree twice over towards the right, with one tree closer to the bottom edge.

On the front of the envelope I stamped the small tree coming in from the left and right edges. Then I stamped the small tree coming in from the right edge of the second layer of Whisper White Card.

I coloured all the images in exactly the same way. First going over the shaded areas on the trunks and branches with the dark Crumb Cake Stampin’ Blends alcohol marker. Then I went over the trunks and branches with the light Crumb Cake Stampin’ Blends. And that was it.

THINKING OF YOU SENTIMENT

I love all the sentiments in the Golden Afternoon Stamp Set. They are simple but with a little flourish on the first letter.

I chose ‘Thinking of you’ for my project and stamped it onto some Thick Whisper White Card with Old Olive ink.

Then using my Big Shot and Magnetic Platform I cut it out with a die from the Rectangle Stitched Dies. In the 13 piece set of dies there is one group of four that nest nicely and I call that group B. From that group I used the #2 (counting from the smallest up).

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

With everything prepared I was now ready to put it all together.

I started by wrapping a length of Grapefruit Grove 1/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon around the top of my main panel. Then I secured the ends of the ribbon on the back with Tear & Tape Adhesive.

Next, using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I mounted the main panel to a layer of Grapefruit Grove Card. This was then fixed to the front of the card base.

Then to complete the front I fixed the sentiment over the ribbon with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

All that remained was the second Whisper White Panel which I added to the inside of the card base with liquid glue.

My project was finished and as if by magic the sun appeared from behind the clouds. I may not get a golden afternoon, but a few minutes of early morning sun has made my day.

BUNDLE BONUS – The Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies can be purchased by themselves, or as part of a bundle with the Amazing Life Stamp Set (not used today). Ordering these two items using the single bundle code will save you 10% off the cost of getting them separately. For this reason you’ll find a link to the bundle at the end of my product list in case you want to look at this in more detail.

Whatever your day holds, I hope you’re able to find a little time to be creative.