Today’s been one of those morning where everything seems to be taking that much longer to do. I woke up with a pretty good idea of my project design, all I needed was decide on the paper and stamp set. With everything that’s going on in the world I was immediately drawn to the Positive Thoughts Stamp Set. I haven’t used this set in months but the “Hugs Prayers Love” sentiment just seemed appropriate.

FLOWERS FOR EVERY SEASON

I actually began today’s project by looking through the Flowers For Every Season 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. I love the variety of flower and leaf designs, plus the coordinating striped and dotted designs also included in the pack. As I looked through the pack I found a scrap strip with a leafy pattern in Just Jade. I pulled that out and then selected a pretty floral design in Just Jade, Misty Moonlight and Cinnamon Cider. I thought the muted colours would compliment the “Hugs Prayers Love” sentiment I planned to use.

Initially I thought about using one of the colours from the DSP for my mat layers. In the end though I decided on Basic Black for a bold contrast. With that I began to cut the various pieces and fix them together using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow).

First though I used my Paper Trimmer to cut and score a piece of Thick Whisper White Card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder for my card base.

Next I trimmed the leafy DSP to 1-1/4″ x 5″ and mounted onto a 1-3/8″ x 5-1/8″ layer of Basic Black Card. Then I fixed the assembled layers onto the front of my card base.

Next I cut three pieces from the floral paper. First I cut off a 2-1/4″ x 6″ strip and glued it to the flap of a Whisper White Medium Envelope. Then with Paper Snips I trimmed off the excess using the edge of the flap as a guide.

I cut the second piece 3-3/4″ x 3″ and glued it to a 3-7/8″ x 3-1/8″ layer of Basic Black Card. This time I used Stampin’ Dimensionals to fix this piece onto the front of my card.

The final piece of DSP was cut 3/4″ x 3-3/4″ and glued to a 7/8″ x 3-7/8″ strip of Basic Black Card. Then I fixed it towards the top of a 4″ x 5-1/4″ layer of Whisper White Card before gluing the layer inside my card base.

HUGS PRAYERS LOVE

Very quickly I was ready for the “Hugs Prayers Love” sentiment from the Positive Thoughts Stamp Set.

Once again I considered my options for ink colour; take my cue from the DSP or the card mat? In the end I opted for Tuxedo Black ink stamped onto a 1-1/2″ x 1-7/8″ scrap of Whisper White Card.

As before, I cut a piece of Basic Black Card (1-5/8″ x 2″) for my mat and used liquid glue to fix the pieces together. However, before going any further I added three Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewels to the sentiment.

With that done I added the assembled sentiment to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals and my project was finally complete.

Sometimes floral patterns can be bright and cheery, but the design I chose today is calmer. Just the thing to reflect the “Hugs Prayers Love” sentiment don’t you think?

For some of my other projects using the Positive Thoughts Stamp Set, see these earlier blog posts:

• Simple thoughts for a simple Sunday
• Positive thoughts for a simple Sunday
• Playing with a block stamped background
• Staying positive in trying times

BOUQUET OF HOPE CARD KIT

If you need to make more sympathetic cards then how about the the February Paper Pumpkin kit. It’s called Bouquet of Hope and will contain everything you need to create nine A2 cards (3 each of 3 different designs) with coordinating envelopes.

This soft, sympathetic kit includes prepared patterned card bases, die-cut floral elements, ribbon, embellishments, plus a mini ink spot and full instructions. The kit’s exclusive Bouquet of Hope Stamp Set features supportive sentiments centred around comfort, care, hope, and love. So it would be useful at any time of the year, well after the rest of the kit as been used up.

To get the kit, simply subscribe now, and around February 11th your credit card will be charged for the kit and it will be shipped to you a day or so later. Stampin’ Up! guarantees you’ll be satisfied with every Paper Pumpkin kit, so if you’re not happy with the kit when it arrives, simply let me know and I’ll deal with it for you.

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