I’ve a lot to get done today so my blog project is a quick one. But doesn’t that happen to us as papercrafters? We suddenly realise we need a card, or gift tag and only have 30 minutes to make one. Well here’s an idea with spring flowers and a cute mouse that made me smile despite the stress of the morning.

SPRING FLOWERS

This all started when I decided to create a gift tag with spring flowers. I wanted pastel colours and so pulled out So Saffron, Balmy Blue, Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron and Gray Granite ink pads.

Then I grabbed the Special Someone Stamp Set and the large and small flower outline images. On Whisper White Card I set to work stamping the smaller of the two flowers in Balmy Blue. Then I stamped the larger flower in Blushing Bride and So Saffron.

Next I took the solid flower images and stamped inside each of the outlines with the same colour ink. This time however after inking up the stamp I ‘stamped-off’ onto scrap paper before stamping inside the outlines. This meant that the solid colour stamped in a lighter shade.

Finally I stamped the larger flower outline onto Soft Sea Foam Card using Mint Macaron ink.

With the flowers done I turned my attention to the cute little mouse in the set. I stamped the outline using Gray Granite ink, then using the stamping-off technique again I stamped the solid image over the top.

That just left the “for a very special someone” sentiment which I stamped using Blushing Bride ink.

COORDINATING DIES

Now I’d finished stamping it was time to get to work with the coordinating Special Day Dies to cut out the flowers and the mouse. I also cut out the sentiment using the speech bubble die in the same set.

For the tag base I turned to the Painted Labels Dies. I chose the circular die with the fancy edge and used it to cut some Champagne Foil Sheet.

I still had a couple of things to do before I could start putting it all together. First I cut off the stalks from all the flowers. Then I cut the green flowers into individual petals as these would become the leaves for my floral arrangement.

Once everything was cut I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) to attach the flowers, leaves and mouse to the foil tag. Then I added the sentiment with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Finally I tied a piece of Whisper White Baker’s Twine to the top and my quick spring tag was complete.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Painted Labels Dies in a bundle with the Painted Poppies Stamp Set (not used today). This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle in case you want to look at this option.

SPECIAL DAY DIES – these dies are only available for a limited time and not shown in any catalogue.