Since I’ve not had access to my craft room for a while I’ve been a bit limited in what I have available for my designs. It’s a valid excuse, but I’ll admit it’s not the whole truth. You see I have a feeling that I’d probably keep going back to the Hand-Penned Petals Stamp Set regardless. I’ve simply fallen in love with the images and just keep getting more and more ideas. So I hope you’ll allow me to indulge myself once again with this pretty thank you card.

COLOURS FIRST

While I knew I was going to use the Hand-Penned Petals Stamp Set, my project actually started when I chose the colour scheme. Basic White would be the dominant colour, alongside Fresh Freesia and Soft Succulent from the 2021-2023 InColors. Combining these three colours would give the project the summery feel I was looking for.

Instead of a solid coloured card layer I a more delicate background, so I decided to create my own using the Saran Wrap technique. In fact instead of actual Saran Wrap I decided to try using the film that I’d just taken off a new pack of card.

Next I cut two pieces of Basic White Card, one 4″ x 5-1/4″ and one 3″ x 4-1/2″. Then I prepared to stamp over the smaller piece by loosely scrunching up the film in my hand. I tapped the film onto the Fresh Freesia ink pad, but before transferring the ink to the card I lightly ‘stamped-off’ onto some scrap paper. This removed some of the ink, helping to keep everything light and fresh. Then, after stamping once or twice on the card, I reinked the wrap and stamped off again before stamping on the white card once more. It wasn’t hard to get into a rhythm, and in no time at all my background layer was complete.

Now I turned to the larger piece of Basic White Card. Using the same technique I added my custom stamping just around the edges. I could have masked off the centre of the card first, but decided it was light enough not to be a problem.

Finally I custom-stamped the flap of a Basic White Medium Envelope so once finished all the parts of the project would coordinate.

With done that I used my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Thick Basic White Card. I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder to create my card base. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed the larger of the two stamped layers on the inside.

HAND-PENNED PETALS

It was time to create the focal point for my card and for that I needed the Hand-Penned Petals Stamp Set. I chose the outline image with just two flowers, plus the “thanks” sentiment. Then I stamped them onto Thick Basic White Card using Tuxedo Black ink.

To colour the image I chose Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers; Fresh Freesia for the petals and Soft Succulent for the leaves. To be honest I wasn’t too worried about actually blending the light and dark shades, and in fact left quite a bit of the image completely uncoloured. Then once I was finished I cut it out using the coordinating die from the Penned Flowers Dies.

Now I had the main parts of the project done I could start to think about how everything was going to come together. My original plan was to have no coloured card at all but I felt that a little bit wouldn’t hurt. So I cut a 3-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ piece of Fresh Freesia Card. Then I tore a little off the right-hand edge to create a rough edge. Next, using liquid glue, I attached the background piece up against the left-hand side of the torn layer.

It was only at this point that I thought about adding twine to the card. I tried simple White twine from the Baker’s Twine Essentials Pack but it seemed to get lost. So instead I coloured it using the brush tip of the dark Fresh Freesia Stampin’ Blends marker.

While the twine was drying I pulled out the Silver and Clear Epoxy Essentials pack. Then using the dark Soft Succulent Stampin’ Blends I coloured three of the clear droplet shapes. Once again I left this to dry for a minute.

Meanwhile, using Paper Snips I cut around the stamped sentiment and attached it to the die-cut floral image using Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals. Then I was ready for the final few steps.

First I wrapped my custom-coloured twine three times around the layered background piece and secured it on the back with Tear & Tape Adhesive. Then I fixed the assembled layers to the front of my Basic White card base using liquid glue.

Next came the flower image and sentiment which I added to the background layer with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals. Finally, after attaching the self-adhesive custom-coloured epoxy shapes around the flower, my project was complete.

CHALLENGE THEME

I had a lot of fun creating today’s card and the pretty colours really remind me of summer flowers. So that’s why I decided to include it in this weeks challenge from The Paper Players. It’s been a long time since I’ve joined a challenge and I’ll definitely be doing in more in future.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Hand-Penned Petals Stamp Set and coordinating Penned Flowers 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.