Starting Easter With Some Me Time

Today is the first day of a three day Easter break for me. If you’ve been following my blog you’ll know that I’m currently working as a pharmacy assistant. I really enjoy the job, but I must admit it can be stressful at times. To add to everything else I have now developed dermatitis on my hands extending up both arms. My doctor believes it could be due to stress or something I’ve come into contact with. I suspect the constant handwashing and cleaning at work may have played it’s part. The treatment I’ve been prescribed is gradually working and I’m hoping that it will improve further over this long weekend.

My plan is to do a little crafting, but also I’ll be relaxing on the sofa watching some movies or with a good book. Mind you just recently when reading I’ve found myself wondering why the characters are able to go out for dinner, or visit friends, when the rest of the world is practicing social distancing? Yeah, when I get engrossed in a good book, I get really drawn in. So while I enjoy another couple of chapters, here’s a pretty Easter card I made earlier.

Simple card with large crocuses image and sentiment created using the Easter Promise Stamp Set and markers from Stampin' Up! #papercraftwithme

SPRING CROCUSES

I began my project with a Pear Pizzazz ink pad and the large crocuses image from the Easter Promise Stamp Set.

First I stamped the whole image on a layer of Whisper White Card. Then without reinking the stamp I stamped it across the bottom left corner on a second layer of Whisper White Card. I went back to the ink pad and reinked the stamp but this time ‘stamped-off’ onto scrap paper before stamping the image across the bottom left corner on the front of a Whisper White Medium Envelope.

Next I used my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Thick Whisper White Card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder to create a card base. Finally using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I then fixed the second piece of Whisper White Card on the inside.

Now I was ready to start work on the front of my card.

HAPPY EASTER

I decided that these crocuses should be purple and my Happy Easter sentiment needed to coordinate with them. So I used Highland Heather ink to stamp the sentiment above the crocuses image. With that done I went looking for some markers.

To colour my crocuses I chose the light and dark Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blends Combo for the leaves. For the flower petals I went with the light and dark Purple Posy Stampin’ Blends. Finally for the flower centre I chose the dark Mango Melody Stampin’ Blends.

While I wanted the colouring of the petals to be subtle I also wanted some darker details. The problem with Stampin’ Blends though is that they’re designed to blend, so details can be a problem. However there is a simple solution, use the water-based Stampin’ Write Markers for the fine markings. So once I’d finished with my Stampin’ Blends I added lines to the petals using the writing end of the a Highland Heather Stampin’ Write Marker (from the Subtles collection).

With the colouring complete I then used liquid glue to mount the piece onto some Highland Heather Card. Then I attached the assembled layers to the front of my card base.

All I had left to do was tie a bow from Gorgeous Grape 1/4″ Mini Striped Ribbon and add it to the card with a Mini Glue Dot.

So now I’m off to veg out for a while. I hope you’re able to find some ‘me’ time too.