It’s funny how a little bit of sunshine and blue sky can raise the spirits.  While I’m still in COVID self-isolation I’m enjoying the first signs of spring.  Today we were treated to the sight of a dozen white-tailed deer in the area behind our house.  The birds are out, and so was one of our resident red squirrels.  I love living in rural Nova Scotia with all the wildlife that comes to visit.  We’re working on creating a flower meadow in the back field and that inspired today’s project.

MEADOW DIES

The inspiration for my finished project started with the Meadow Dies. When I opened them up I found a flower already cut from Basic White Card, plus the surrounding waste piece. So then I chose Rich Razzleberry ink for the flower and bud, with Soft Succulent for the leaves and stem.

After using Blending Brushes to add light layers of colour to the piece I realised I still needed something for the centre of the flower. In the set there are three identical dies for the centre and I used all three on a scrap of Basic White Card. Then with a Blending Brush I coloured them using Daffodil Delight ink.

Next I found a couple of white die-cut butterflies. I picked up two of the half (side-view) ones to add to my design. Going back to the Blending Brushes I coloured both sides of each one using Daffodil Delight ink. Then using only the ink that was still on the brush I went over them with Rich Razzleberry ink. This created a pretty salmon colour but the butterfly body wasn’t particularly clear. So holding the wing of one butterfly I gently pressed the body onto the edge of the Soft Succulent ink pad. Perfect!

With the ink pads and Blending Brushes at hand I used them to create the coordinating feature for my project. However instead of using a die-cut flower I used the ‘waste’ piece as a stencil. I cut a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card, and took out a Basic White Medium Envelope. Then with the ‘stencil’ overlapping the right-hand edge I added the Rich Razzleberry and Soft Succulent inks. Finally I finished each one using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) to add one of the die-cut yellow flower centres.

LITTLE TOUCHES

Now I needed a sentiment and from the Quiet Meadow Stamp Set I chose “Thinking of you”. Using Soft Succulent ink I stamped it onto a scrap of Basic White Card. Then I went back to the Mini Cut & Emboss Machine to cut it out using the ‘label’ die from the Meadow Dies set.

At last I was ready to put it all together.

Using my Paper Trimmer I cut and scored some Thick Basic White Card. After folding it along the scored line I sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder. Then on the inside of the card I glued the stenciled Basic White layer.

Next I used liquid glue to attach the die-cut flower to a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card. I added the sentiment with Stampin’ Dimensionals so it overlapped the stem. Then using liquid glue I mounted the layer onto the card base.

That just left the two half butterflies. Picking up the one with the dark body I used my thumbnail to bend up the wing section. Then I put a thin line of liquid glue along the back of the body and glued it directly on top of the other butterfly. With more liquid glue I then stuck the assembled butterfly to the card front.

I liked how the butterfly seemed to be flying but wanted the wings to remain prominent. So I cut a piece of a Stampin’ Dimensional and stuck it between the two wings close to the body. Now even after being flattened inside an envelope that top wing will pop right up again.

I hope you like the finished card as much as I do.

For a very different project using the Quiet Meadow Stamp Set see my blog post Quiet Meadow vintage style.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS PLUS – I bought the Quiet Meadow Stamp Set & coordinating Meadow Dies using a single ‘bundle’ item number. This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. However during March you can get this bundle (and 12 others) with an extra 10% off (so 20% discount in total). Also offered at 20% off is the Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine. What’s even better is you don’t have to buy the machine to save on the bundles.

The Savings Are In Bloom promotion ends on March 31st, however due to global supply chain issues availability of individual items are while stocks last. So to save disappointment, do check out the Savings Are In Bloom section of my online store and place your order as soon as possible.