Why Do I Resist Flower Stamps With All My Might?

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Lately I've been feeling a creative slump. I've seen others saying so as well. I think, for me, I've relied on my tried and true ingredients, and they're fine. But it's more than that. I cannot WAIT for the new catalog to go live, so I can pick some new & wonderful artistic supplies to quench my thirst. And, moreover, I'm a little heartbroken that I'm not going to the SU Convention next month. The 25^th anniversary one...the one that my stampin' colleagues are eagerly planning for...it's just not “in the cards” for me one more year. It hasn't been an easy time here (in real life) over the past couple years. But I keep pressing on, smile intact, spirit full of gratitute, and sending cards out into the world one at a time, to bring sunshine...a hug...a high five...or flowers!

I'm reinstituting my Clean & Simple Summer cards. Last summer, I decided it's a good idea, especially when the days are long and family is home more, there's gardening to be done, and swimming pools to bask by, that my cards will be bright, clean, and simple. Here's my first one for this summer, using Hand Stamped Sentiments' color challenge: Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, Baja Breeze, and Midnight Muse.

I used several simple techniques to keep these bright colors from competing on my card. For the tag, I used the Chevron embossing folder, and Stampin' Write markers in Baja Breeze and Midnight Muse. Using the front inside of the folder, I colored the embossed rows of chevron in alternating colors, and embossed on a piece of scrap white cardstock. Then, I spritzed the folder with with a mix of Shimmer Paint and rubbing alcohol, and ran a new piece of white CS through the Big Shot. This created a “stamped-off” embossed chevron pattern. Let's coin the phrase “Stamped Off Inked Embossing”!

The second technique is emboss resist with sponges. Very simple, and so pretty! Just choose an outline stamp (Fabulous Florets works well here). Heat emboss with white embossing powder. From the center of each flower or leaf, sponge darker in the center and swipe gently toward the edges of the image. Fussy cut each piece and arrange with Stampin' Dimensionals. I love these pretty blossoms :)

To finish, I used Whisper White for the card base and cut it 11” x 4”, folded in half. The tag is placed off center, and the cluster of flowers is arranged so they hang off the edge a little, but will still fit in a standard envelope due to the 4” width. The sentiment is stamped in Crumb Cake, and little pearls are placed here and there. When fully assembled, the entire card was spritzed with the Shimmer Paint spray mixture for one more layer of subtle shine.

Hope you are having a great week, and thanks for allowing me to vent a little! In blogland, things often seem perfect. Real life is an exercise in strength and grace. Here's a quote from Pinterest that I love to use as a reminder.

And take a little time for yourself to stretch your crafty wings with Hand Stamped Sentiments' ColorChallenge. You'll be glad you did :)

Have a blessed and creative day! ~ Erika

SUPPLY LIST:

STAMPS: Fabulous Florets

INK: Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, Midnight Muse, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Crumb Cake

PAPER: Whisper White

EMBELLISHMENT: Basic Pearls, Whisper White 5/8” Organza ribbon, Baker's Twine from Pop Up Posies kit, Chevron Embossing Folder, White embossing powder, Versamark ink.