For some reason just lately we’ve been left waiting for a lot of mail. One package from the UK actually took 5 weeks to arrive! Talk about snail mail… Yesterday though I had a simply wonderful surprise when a package from my daughter included our granddaughter’s latest school photo.
The timing was perfect as I’ve been looking for a photo for today’s sneak peek project. So here it is, a simple but elegant decorated photo mat.

PRETTY POPPIES
I began the project with the poppy image from the new Bloom & Grow Stamp Set from the Stampin’ Up! 2019/2020 Annual Catalogue.
Using Tuxedo Black ink I stamped the poppies onto some Thick Whisper White Card, then coloured the image with Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers.
For the poppies I chose light Poppy Parade (what else?), then dark Petal Pink for the buds. The leaves were coloured using light Shaded Spruce and then I added a little light Basic Black to the flower centres.

The reason I chose to use Stampin’ Blends even though I wasn’t actually doing any blending is so that I didn’t get those tell-tale pen marks on the image.
Once the flowers were done I used my retiring Big Shot and Magnetic Platform to cut out the image. This was a simple task using the coordinating Budding Blooms Dies.
SIMPLY WONDERFUL SENTIMENT
The next stage was to add the sentiment to the photo mat that came with the frame.
I wiped the card using my Embossing Buddy to remove any oils and static from the surface. Then I used my Stamparatus to stamp the ‘you are simply wonderful’ sentiment in the centre at the bottom with VersaMark ink.
Next I sprinkled the sticky ink with Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder and tapped off the excess. Then I spent a minute checking for and removing any stray specks of embossing powder. With that done I melted the rest of the embossing powder using my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).
Now all that was left was to attach the floral image to the top of the mat with liquid glue. Then I added the photo of Alyssa and put in into the frame. Done in no time.
BLOOM & GROW
The poppy image used today is one of 3 large floral images in the Bloom & Grow Stamp Set. There are also four smaller floral images, and a background type image.
As well as the ‘simply wonderful’ sentiment used today, the set contains three other large sentiments, plus a smaller ‘hello’.
All the images in the Bloom & Grow Stamp Set (except the background one) can be cut out using cooordinating dies from the Budding Blooms Dies. The dies also include a couple of extra decorative pieces, but more about that another day.
I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for a Simple Sunday sneak peek, but for now I’ll just leave you with a photo of the gorgeous Bloom & Grow Stamp Set.

PRODUCT LIST
BUNDLE BONUS – you can buy the Bloom & Grow Stamp Set and coordinating Budding Blooms Dies separately, or together in a bundle. Using the bundle code will save you 10% off the cost of getting the two items separately. You’ll see I’ve included links to both options below so you can look at this in more detail if you wish.
What a simply wonderful surprise to open your long-awaited parcel to find such a sweet smile looking back at you!! I love it!
The stamp set looks to be a real winner too! and I love what you’ve done with it too!! Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Thank you Geraldine