In a little over a week it will be the shortest day of the year. Then we can look forward to the warmer days of spring. Of course we still have winter for a couple of months yet, but a girl can dream…

SIMPLE SPRING SCENE

I began today’s project with a 2″ x 5-1/2″ piece of Thick Whisper White Card. To create the bookmark base I used the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch which shapes the top and punches the ribbon slot in one go.

Then using Pear Pizzazz ink I stamped the flower outline image from the Soft Spring (Host) Stamp Set. More Pear Pizzazz ink was used to stamp the colour inside the leaves. This time however after inking up the stamp I stamped onto scrap paper first (known as stamping-off). Then when I stamped onto the bookmark the ink was the same shade but just a little lighter.

Finally I finished the flower using Gorgeous Grape ink to stamp the flower heads onto the tops of the stalks.

Next I needed to add some colour to the background and I did that with some simple sponging. I added a little Pear Pizzazz ink at the bottom, with Seaside Spray sponged over the rest of the white card.

A SHINY DRAGONFLY

With the background complete I had one last detail to add, a shiny gold dragonfly.

Wiping an Embossing Buddy over the top part of the bookmark I removed any oil and static. Then I used VersaMark ink to stamp the dragonfly image. Next I sprinkled the sticky ink with Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder and tapped off the excess. Finally, after removing a few stray specks, I melted the rest of the powder using my Heat Tool on 2 (high).

Now all I had left to do was thread a loop of Gorgeous Grape 1/4″ Mini Striped Ribbon through the slot. I passed the ends of the ribbon through the loop and pulled them tight to secure the ribbon to the bookmark.

SOFT SPRING

HOST STAMP SET – The Soft Spring Stamp Set is a ‘host’ set which means that it can only be ‘purchased’ using Stampin’ Rewards. To earn Stampin’ Rewards simply order $200 of Stampin’ Up! products (before shipping and taxes), or host a $200 party. Stampin’ Rewards “dollars” are then calculated as a percentage of your order total (before shipping and taxes) starting at 10%. For more details about Stampin’ Rewards and some of the other Host exclusive stamp sets click on the link, or see pages 204 to 207 of the Annual Catalogue.

If you don’t want to order $200 in product right now you could still get this stamp set. On December 21st I’ll be drawing a name from all the customers who ordered from me using my current Host Code, and the winner will receive a Soft Spring Stamp Set with my compliments. Just make sure you include the Host Code when you place your order by December 20th.

PRODUCT LIST

As the Soft Spring Stamp Set can only be purchased using Stampin’ Rewards I have included it at the end of the product list. If your order reaches the minimum $200 (before shipping and taxes) the system will let you know when you go to check out. It will tell you how much you have earned and prompt you to add the items you wish to purchase. You can ‘spend’ your Stampin’ Rewards on exclusive host only products or anything else currently available from Stampin’ Up! You can even use your Stampin’ Rewards towards your starter kit if you want to join Stampin’ Up!