Glossy and pretty!
These pretty colors say spring is coming! I was inspired to brighten up some flowers after touring one of my favorite shops...Simple Pleasures. I like the glossy flowers and bright colors on this one.

The centers for these gem like beauties are made with Sizzix's 3D blossom die. Mine didn't quite look like the one on the package...oh well.
Regular card stock paper is stiff, so I switched it out and used colored paper instead. It does wrap up easier, but could also be the difference in my flower and the one Sizzix advertises.

The stems were made from the Field Flower set by StampIn' Up. Green embossing powder was first applied, then the stems cut out...a little tricky since they are very thin. Make two.

Next, cut the centers using the Sizzix die, roll up and secure with glue. I poured glue down the centers, and used glue dots on the back. A sparkle brad was pushed down into the centers...such a pretty way to glitz up these flowers, and they went well with the glossy finish.

Now make the backs to the flowers, using the same colored paper. Clear embossing ink was used on the flower stamp, which let the color shine through. A single cut to the center, then fold the flower slightly over and glue to make it 3D. Use a glue dot to attach the center to the backs, and more glue dots to attach the completed flower to the card.

A double embossed background was made using already embossed card stock, then embossing again. This one is made with Intricate Floral.

The tag is just two layers, with added sparkle brads...of course. And a bow...bows and flowers just naturally go together!


Accessories: Sizzix 3D flower die, Intricate floral embossing folder, Field Flowers Stamp set, flower stamp for the background, sparkle brads, tag punch, ribbon, embossed card stock, colored paper, green and clear embossing powder, purple card stock.

Spring bouquet

Sizzix has a mini flower set which cuts five little flowers all at once. Nice...and so very handy.
I started out just experimenting with the cut shapes using some bright textured card stock.
Why waste the effort I thought to myself!

Once I got started it seemed using black to offset the bright petals worked nicely. So the layering was black, then a colored petal piece, topped with a black center.

The large and medium size flowers are made from punches of the same flower, just different sizes. They worked well with these Sizzix mini flowers.

The tag is clear and 3D, placed over black card stock. Sheer black pok-a-dot ribbon went perfectly with this frilly theme.
And, the bottom edging of scallops looked more like petals to me up against these spring flowers.

Add a few mini daisy flowers around the card, (the same punch used for the flower centers), to fill in any open space.

How could spring be spring without a couple dragon flies! These were cut from bright green sparkle paper. Two sparkling brads matched these flighty critters, and complemented the embossed green background.


Spring time makes bouquets a natural beauty!


Accessories: Sizzix flowers #4, Large and medium flower punches, dragonfly punch, brads, ribbon, scallop edger, bright card stock, sparkle paper, clear tag, Leafy branch embossing folder.

Paper Blossoms

Every time I get to visit with my VERY talented SIL Wendy Weixler, she teaches me a fun trick...she is full of talent. There are several die cuts & punches which cut the paper for blossoms. But the real fun is making your own, even out of felt. The possibilities are endless.

The process has several steps. Breakdown the stiffness of the card stock by misting with water...lightly! Run it thru a Fiskars corrugator, then press out with a straight-edged tool.

The crochet hook works nicely to help "bend backwards" the petals for a realistic effect...try it on other flowers you make too!

I made up my own spring time flower version to practice with. The flowers have several layers of varying sizes, and colors. Cut to the center of a flower, and fold one petal over the petal next to it & secure with a glue dot. Each layer was made this way and glued on top of the previous layer. Sprinkle extra small centers around the larger petals.

Aren't these just to pretty for words! The cards were given extra pizazz with the butterflies...more on that in a minute.

I really like this easy method, my big fingers are able to manipulate one overlapping petal which gave me a sense of you-can-do-it!

This pink version was my best work so far on making 3D blossoms. The printed paper and varied-sized flowers with alternating card stock all came together.

Now for the fluttering butterflies. I used a punch, and a die cut. I also made two of each cut for a symmetrical effect. How nice is that! Doesn't it just make your little heart flutter...or not...it does mine!

Accessories: Sizzix die Butterflies & Tropical Paisley embosser 656796, Mc Gall Butterfly punch, Martha Stewart edgers, boarder punches, ribbon & various colored card stock, Stampin' Up Fabulous Phrases stamps.

Matching Stamp & Embossing Folder

Now here's a little pretty to give hope to the heart that spring will come after all! This combo stamp & embossing folder (picked out by my famous SIL Wendy Weixler to create my Christmas box of fun stamping tools) was the first new toy I played with this year.

A 'new' rubber stamp doesn't accept it's first inking as older stamps do, but the watercolor effect is wonderful...I really loved the not so perfect lines! If I remember the process, the stamp was done first, using complementing spring colored markers. Remember to "huff" on the stamp before pressing onto card stock, which brings the ink back to life!

Now the stamped card is ready to position into the embossing folder, matching up the design, before running thru the press.

Add a touch of ribbon and a tag to give your bouquet a melt-my-heart-this-is-so-beautiful response from your fav-friends!



Accessories: Sizzix Stamp & Emboss 657772 set, card stock, Stampin' Up markers & stamp, card stock.