Everyday Expressions

Hi Everyone! One of my favorite embellishments for cards is flowers, and I couldn’t resist joining in this week’s Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, Handmade Flowers. I used more of the Prima Love Clippings collection (featured HERE in a previous post) in addition to flowers I created using Sizzix Tim Holtz Tattered Florals dies.

I used Prima papers for the flowers, and die cut several from both the Tattered Florals and the Tiny Tattered Florals dies for lots of layering. I have found that the two best tricks for molding flowers is to cut further into the middle of the flowers between petals and then gently mist them with water before manipulating. Also, I purchased a Heartfelt Creations Deluxe Flower Shaping Kit from Amazon. (No longer available on Amazon, but HERE’S a link to purchase it from the company.) This kit has helped make it much easier to mold petals for the flowers. (HERE is a tutorial I previously posted on creating flowers with the Tattered Florals dies along with a link to one of the first instructional videos I watched. Click HERE and HERE for more of my favorite handmade flowers!)

For the flowers on this card, I gently used a foam blending tool with Victorian Velvet, Tattered Rose, and Black Soot Distress inks to add color after I created them. In doing so, the color is focused on the edges of the petals.

I began the card by blending Victorian Velvet Distress Ink around the edges of a cream heavyweight cardstock base from SSS. Next I distressed the edges of the Prima ephemera, journaling card, paper, and SSS gray cardstock panel. Then I inked all of the edges, and sewed the Prima paper panel to the gray cardstock. I added foam tape to the couple’s picture and the gray cardstock before layering everything with adhesive. Finally, I brushed Distress Collage medium over the picture to add an aged, textured appearance, and gently blended Vintage Photo DI over the top.

I die cut a Sizzix Tim Holtz Doily from rose gold foiled DCWV cardstock, lightly sanded it, and added it behind the picture. Next I added Glossy accents to the butterfly ephemera and allowed it to dry. Then I added the flowers, ephemera, ribbon, and crystals.

Finally, I created a rose gold paint from copper, bronze, and white Perfect Pearls. I covered the picture and splattered the card with the paint. It was the final touch that the card needed to bring everything together!

So there it is! What do you think? Did you play along in the SSS Handmade Flowers Monday Challenge this week? Love and artsy hugs!

Erin

*Please note that I am not compensated nor do I receive free products from any companies. I just like to share my favorite crafty items in case you want to check them out for yourself.