I’m still working my way through my new box of goodies from Stampin’ Up! and today it’s the turn of the Forever Blossoms Stamp Set. I did get the coordinating dies, but first I just wanted to play with the stamps and a simple marker to stamp technique.

FOREVER BLOSSOMS

The Forever Blossoms Stamp Set has one large branch of blossoms and leaves, plus some separate flower and leaf images. The larger image was perfect for my card front, while the smaller ones would work well for the inside and envelope.

I began by mounting the large blossoms image onto an acrylic block and then turning it over so I was looking at the stamp rubber. Then using the side of the brush tip on a Blushing Bride Stampin’ Write Marker I ‘coloured in’ the flowers and buds on the rubber. Hence the name ‘marker to stamp technique’. Next I coloured in the leaves and stems in the same way using a Pear Pizzazz Stampin’ Write Marker. Once the colouring was complete I breathed onto the surface of the stamp to re-moisten the ink before stamping onto some Very Vanilla Card.

At this point I decided I wanted to add a third colour to the project and chose Balmy Blue. But I was feeling a bit lazy today and couldn’t be bothered to stamp and fussy cut a mask for the large image. So instead I took a scrap of paper and sort of held it roughly over sections of the image as I lightly tapped the ink with some Stampin’ Sponge.

I wasn’t unhappy with the results except I wanted a little more ‘interest’. With the hand-drawn, hand-coloured feel to the image I decided to add a faux canvas effect. This was easy to achieve using the Subtle 3D Embossing Folder.

SIMPLE LAYERS

With that done I mounted the embossed layer onto Blushing Bride Card using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow). Then I added the layers to the front of a Thick Very Vanilla Card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

For my sentiment I turned to the same Forever Blossoms Stamp Set and chose “You mean so much to me”. First I stamped the sentiment using Balmy Blue ink onto a simple 1/4″ strip of Very Vanilla Card. Then I mounted it onto Blushing Bride Card before adding it to the card front with more Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Now the card front was complete I could turn my attention to the inside.

Once again I used the marker to stamp technique but this time using the smaller flower and leaf images. First, on a layer of Very Vanilla Card I created a small floral arrangement in the bottom right corner. Then I used liquid glue to fix the layer inside the card base.

Then to complete my project I created another floral arrangement on the front of a Very Vanilla Medium Envelope. Job done.

The marker to stamp technique is very simple, and perfect for those who want a multi-coloured image without having to do any colouring. It’s an ideal option for this stamp set don’t you think?

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Forever Blossoms Stamp Set in a bundle with the coordinating Cherry Blossoms Dies (not used today). This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. You’ll find a link to the bundle below in case you want to explore this option.