Product Spotlight: Stampin' Up! Sizzix Lattice Bigz Die

One of the products lines that really piqued my interest in the new 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog was the Sizzix Bigz Dies. I ordered several of them (and have several others picked out for upcoming orders). While I have thus far avoided the temptation of the Sizzix Big Shot, I was really happy when I found out the Bigz die line will work perfectly in Provocraft's Cuttlebug.

I purchased the Top Note Bigz Die (#113463, $21.95), the Tulipe Bigz Die (#113457, $21.95), and the Lattice Bigz Die (#115958, $21.95) to start experimenting with and quickly fell in love with their ease of use and versatility.

If you do not have a Sizzix die cutting machine, these dies will work in your Cuttlebug. The proper "sandwich" recipe is: Plate B, Sizzix Bigz Die, cardstock (or other material), Plate B. There is no need to use the Plate A spacer block. The die I chose to feature in this post is the Sizzix Lattice Bigz Die, which is an exclusive die to Stampin' Up!. The actually die is approximately 5 1/2" x 6" and 5/8" in thickness. I didn't photograph the actual die, as truthfully, there's not much to look at as it is encased in protective foam and a plastic shell. But, the real magic is the effect it produces. The Sizzix Bigz dies can cut varying thicknesses of paper, cardstock, vinyl, wood sheets, crafting metal, and fabric to name a few.

I started just by running a piece of cardstock through my Cuttlebug and was really inspired by the shape of the lattice cutout. The uses are really almost endless.




The pattern of the lattice cut-out is perfect for cardmaking and scrapbooking. You can choose to feature it in the foreground or background of your project. You can use multiple cuts to make larger layouts, chains, and decor pieces. I immediately thought it would look lovely on a card as a makeshift trellis for displaying flowers.

I was also intrigued by the geometric possibilities of the shape itself. For instance, taking two diecuts, you can create a wonderful design shape that calls to mind florals and snowflakes. These would be terrific for creating a mobile for a baby's crib/room or party decorations. Imagine these cut in foils for the sparkle and attention that they'd receive.




I decided to experiment with a quick card layout. I took two lattice cuts from the same color cardstock and ran them through my Xyron 510 (as a quick and easy way of applying adhesive to the backs of the design. I then lined them one on top of the other to create a seamless design element for the background of my card. A quick sentiment (Stampin' Up! Teeny Tiny Wishes Set #115370)stamped on Whisper White cardstock and punched out with the new Modern Label Punch (#116630) and a couple of jeweled and glittered floral embellishments later...




I highly recommend that you check out the Sizzix Bigz die-cutting line if you've not experienced working with them. They give you immediate satisfaction and endless design possibilities. More importantly, they are a snap to use--quick and easy. These days, anything that shortens our prep time and gets us to putting our valuable inspiration to use can't be a bad thing, can it?

I see another collection in my future! Whatever you see in yours, take some time out and grab your favorite beverage, steal yourself away from the never-ending hubbub of the day, and make something. Until next time, keep crafting!

Card Glimpses

Of late, I seem to have found this deep fountain of ideas for card layouts and techniques I want to try. The problem of course is one as old as time. Well, actually, it is time. For as many ideas as I have, there never seems to be enough time to get them all realized. I suppose that is a good thing--since inspiration and creativity can sometimes be moody playmates.

I just received a huge order of new stamp sets from Stampin' Up! and have been busy preparing them (EZ-Mount) for the calendar cases I store them in. There really are some marvelous new sets and artwork in the 2009-2010 catalog. Among some of my new favorites are: 'All Hallow's Eve', 'Beware Pirates', 'Extreme Elements', 'Medallion', 'Pendant Park', 'On A Pedestal', 'Greenhouse Garden', 'From The Crypt', and 'Chic Boutique'. I also finally broke down and ordered the Color Caddy and extender kit. I was never quite sure this is the route I wanted to take for my Stampin' Pad storage, but now I'm very happy I did. Of course, not all of my pads fit. But, it does make a great home for the four major color groupings (Bold Brights, Earth Elements, Rich Regals and Soft Subtles), as well as the last twelve In Color ink pads. It provides a great visual reminder of the palette that is available in my stamping ideas.

The weather here has been ridiculously hot. Though, I suppose that's just further impetus to stay inside and create. Wherever you are and whatever your weather, keep crafting!

Picnic Season

I hope this upcoming Fourth of July finds you close to family and friends. Have a safe and sane celebration of our Miss Liberty's 233rd birthday.

This card project highlights two new stamp sets released by the fabulous Papertrey Ink bunch. I highly recommend you check out Vintage Picnic and Vintage Picnic Sentiments which are used in this project.

Project Recipe:

base cardstock: Stampin' Up! Soft Suede cardstock;
5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
mat cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock;
4" x 5"
envelope: Stampin' Up! Kraft A2 envelope
stamps: Papertrey Ink Vintage Picnic & Vintage Picnic Sentiments
embellishment: Petaloo Dazzler floral embellishment
punch: Stampin' Up! Ticket Corner Punch
accent: Uniball Signo White Pen
inks: Tsukineko Memento in Tuxedo Black, Papertrey Ink Tea Dye in Chai Blend
Copic markers: E29 (Burnt Umber), E31 (Brick Beige), E37 (Sepia), R24 (Prawn), R27 (Cadmium Red), R29 (Lipstick Red), G14 (Apple Green), G16 (Malachite), Y04 (Acacia), YG13 (Chartreuse)

Sneak Peek!: Crushed Curry & Soft Suede

On July 1, 2009, the new 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! catalog goes into effect. There are so many wonderful new stamp sets and products in store for all of us. I know my wish list is bursting at the seams (and unfortunately, I'm sure I will buy it all...lol).

One of the exciting unveilings is the addition of six new colors to the In Colors line. The new colors are: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, and Dusty Durango. These colors will be available in Stampin' Pads, ink refills, cardstock, ribbon, and other products. I've had these products for a while now and I have to say they are a beautiful palette of colors and they integrate wonderfully with the regular Stampin' Up! color spectrum.

However, from the outset, I have to admit that there are two colors that I have fallen ABSOLUTELY head-over-heels for. They are so made for one another and I think they are going to become Stampin' Up! classics: Crushed Curry and Soft Suede.

Today, I've decided to give you a slight sneak peak into the color duo with a card project. I'm also highlighting one of the new stamp set releases that will be in the new catalog entitled "Circle Circus". This project is quick and easy, but I think it illustrates the endless possibilities of two of my new favorite colors.

The card will be a standard A2 size. The mat is cut from Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock at 4" x 5". The cardstock base is Soft Suede cut at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". This card utilizes two stamps from the upcoming "Circle Circus":,as well as inks in Crushed Curry and Soft Suede.


Circle Circus, (10) stamps


2009-2010 In Colors Crushed Curry and Soft Suede

To begin the card, I cut a mat of Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock at 4" x 5". Using one of the stamps from "Circle Circus" and the Crushed Curry Stampin' Pad, I randomly stamped the image on mat cardstock.



Using the same image, I used the Soft Suede Stampin' Pad for contrast and visual interest. Don't be too concerned with careful placement of the image. Many times overlapping the image or stamping off the cardstock creates really beautiful accents that draw the eye. Randomness in a good thing.



After looking at my mat for a few minutes, I decided I needed a little "more". So, I went back to "Circle Circus" and picked out one of the smallest images to fill in some of the blank space. Of course, the danger is always that you make your card too busy. So, you just have to practice and learn to train your eye. Sometimes, it doesn't work out so well...and it's back to the drawing board. In this instance, I think it was a good call.




When I was happy with my card mat, the question turned to which color to use for my card base. In truth, I think either new In Color Crushed Curry or Soft Suede would have worked. But, I was drawn to the Soft Suede.



I cut the 8 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock in half, which creates two A2 card sizes at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". Using my Scor-Pal (a MUST-HAVE tool in any crafter's arsenal), I scored the cardstock at 4 1/4".



Now that I was ready to assemble my card, I thought it needed one final touch: ribbon. While the new In Colors line comes in a matching polka dot ribbon, I thought that the dots would fight too much with the circle patterns of the stamping. I saw a piece of Stampin' Up 5/8" grosgrain ribbon in Chocolate Chip and thought it would be the perfect addition.



However, during assembly with my trusty ATG714 adhesive gun, I changed my mine (always a crafter's prerogative). I thought the 5/8" ribbon was a tad too wide and switched it to the 3/8" Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon (in Chocolate Chip) instead. Here's the final card and a close-up detail.




Remember, the new In Colors and stamp sets will be available on July 1st. You can order through my website (link on the sidebar) or your preferred Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. I, for one, am impatiently awaiting to place my order! Whatever you do today, take some time out to work on a project. It's good for your soul! Keep smiling...and Keep Crafting!

New Toys, New Cards

In the "I'm Sure This Is Not Breaking News" department, I must report that I've been a very, very bad boy on the spending front. (*gasps ring out from the stunned masses--or not*) I've recently become a big fan of Unity Stamp Company and their deeply-etched red rubber stamps. They've got some terifically quirky artwork. Many of their stamps are already mounted on cling mount foam and ready to use. The quality is superb. I recently joined their "Kit Of The Month" club, as well as purchased several sets that I just "had" to have.

I've also another terrible confession to make. As much as I love my Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol, as well as my Stampin' Up! Stampin' Write Many Marverlous Marker Set, I've succumbed to that Japanese virus called Copics. I embarrassed to say that my first purchase was a set of twelve (12) of the Original Copics. I bought them without really knowing enough to make an informed purchase--or realizing that I much prefer the Sketch marker. That said, I now own seventy-two (72) and counting Sketch markers and I LOVE THEM! Now, I am no where near the talent level of many of my fellow crafters when it comes to Copic technique and blending accumen. But I am certainly enjoying self-teaching myself. I can definitely see progress, but I have of hours of practice ahead of me. The major problem with Copics is that they are truly, hideously ADDICTING! No matter how many you have in your collection, it is never enough.

Of course, I also have been through the new 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! catalog (several times) and have been honing my lists up and down. Needless to saying, I'm chomping at the bit for July 1st to arrive so that I can place the first of what I'm sure will be several orders. So far, I haven't had the intestinal fortitude to add up the total of my current list. But, I do love surprises, LOL!

Well, enough about my shopping habits. Here are a few cards I've worked on in recent days. I've tried to include all the product information, but if you have any specific questions (and/or comments), please feel free to drop an e-mail or leave a comment and I'll try to get the information you need to you.


Feel Better Card: (base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Citrine; mat cardstocks: Stardream Fuse Mica in Lapis, Stardream Fuse Mica in Fairway, Stampin' Up! Whisper White; punches: EK Success Corner Adorner--Fountain Fun, Martha Stewart Branch punch, EK Success Corner Rounder; stamps: Stampin' Up! Pretty Peony Set (retired), Papertrey Ink Mega Mixed Messages; inks: Palette Hybrid Ink in Water Lily Green and Prussian Blue, Tsukineko Brilliance in Starlight Silver;)



Friendship Card: (base cardstock: Bazzill Bling in Emerald City; decorative paper: Basic Grey Offbeat Collection; mat cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White; punch: Stampin' Up! Tag Corner Punch; stamps: Gel-é-tins Sheltering Tree Set; inks: Tsukineko Memento in Cottage Ivy, Tsukineko Brilliance in Pearlescent Thyme, Tsukineko Memento in Potter's Clay, Tsukineko Memento in Rich Cocoa; accent: Uniball Signo UM-153 in Gold;)




Missing You Pocket Card: (base cardstock: Bazzill Textured cardstock, Stampin' Up! Whisper White; decorative paper: Papertrey Ink Men Of Life Collection; punches: Stampin' Up! Scalloped Circle Punch and 1 3/8" Circle Punch; ribbon: Stampin' Up! Striped 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon in Pacific Point (retiring); stamps: Papertrey Ink Mega Mixed Messages set; ink: Tsukineko Memento in Tuxedo Black; tab: K & Co. Mira collection;)




Anniversary Card: (base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Citrine, Stampin' Up! Whisper White; mat cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Rose Quartz; decorative paper: Papertrey Ink Hodge Podge Collection; punch: EK Success Corner Adorner--Fountain Fun; stamps: Stampin' Up! Fifth Avenue Floral (#113734), Papertrey Ink Mega Mixed Messages set; copic markers: RV21 (Light Pink), RV04 (Shock Pink), R24 (Prawn), R27 (Cadmium Red), R32 (Peach), and V12 (Pale Lilac); ink: Tsukineko Memento in Tuxedo Black;)

Raining Inspiration

This morning the loud crack and roar as thunder and lightning dueled in the black sky was my wake-up call...literally. What followed was a very rare downpour to clear the dust away for the morning's arrival.

I've been told I'm strange. (Whoa, big surprise there!?) I'm one of the (apparently) few people that is inspired by dark and gloomy weather. Unfortunately, I live in the middle of a desert. So, dark and gloomy are rare visitors. I've always wondered if I shouldn't be living in Seattle, but I digress. Something about dark, overcast days really gets my creative juices flowing. It inspires me to write--and craft.

Here are a few of the cards I made in a thunderstorm of inspiration:



(base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Azalea; mat cardstock: Core'dinations in Love Potion; Cuttlebug folder: Floral Fantasy; ribbon: American Crafts; sentiment: Papertrey Ink Mega Mixed Messages; ink: Tsukineko Staz-On Jet Black; accent: Sakura Glaze Pen in Black, Clearsnap Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink in Siren; distressed with Basic Grey file set)



(base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Kunzite; mat cardstock: Die Cuts With A View La Creme; stamps: Papertrey Ink Floral Frenzy set; accent: Sakura Glaze Pen in Black; punches: corner rounders; EK Success & Stampin'Up!)



(base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Lapis; mat cardstock: Core'dinations in Love Potion; Cuttlebug folder: D'vine Swirls; stamps: Stampin' Up! Crazy For Cupcakes (#111618); inks: Stampin' Up! Stampin' Write Markers (#105541), Clearsnap Smooch Pearlized Accent Inks in Azure, Gold Lamé, Green Apple, Silver Fox, and Siren; distressed with Basic Grey file set)



(base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Fairway; mat cardstocks: Stardream Fuse Mica in Gold, Stampin' Up! Whisper White (#100730); stamps: Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi-Step Lilies; inks: Tsukineko Memento Ink in Pear Tart, Bamboo Leaves, Cottage Ivy, Dandelion, Tuxedo Black, and Potter's Clay)



(base cardstock: Die Cuts With A View Tahiti Beach; mat cardstocks: Stardream Fuse Mica in Lapis, Stampin' Up! Whisper White (#100730); stamps: Basic Grey Ambrosia Halvah set; inks: Tsukineko Memento in Danube Blue and Bahama Blue, Palette Ink in New Canvas; punches: Stampin' Up! Corner Rounder (#109047) and Tag Corner (#107215))



(base cardstock: Stardream Fuse Mica in Aquamarine; mat cardstocks: Papertrey Ink Hodge Podge Collection, Stampin' Up! Whisper White (#100730); stamps: Clearsnap Rollograph Wheel Chinese Noodles; inks: Stampin' Up! Brilliant Blue Stampin' Around Cartridge (#100871), embellishment: K & Co Layered Accent from Wild Raspberry Collection; accent: Stampin' Up! Stampin' Write Marker in Night Of Navy (#100069))

I had a few more, but I think you get the idea! :-) I love these bursts of creativity and inspiration! The problem is sustaining them. So, no matter what weather you awake to...Keep Creating & Crafting!

It's Easy Being Green...

A quick card project to share with you and a cardstock recommendation! I recently placed an order with Papertrey Ink to try some of their products. Needless to say, I'm now awaiting my third large order to arrive. On top of having some wonderfully creative and exquisitely packaged acrylic stamp sets, Papertrey Ink has a full line of solid color and artistic print cardstocks. Today's card project utilizes two of their Perfect Match Papertrey Color Collection cardstocks: Ripe Avocado and Spring Moss. You can purchase a 50 sheet 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock sampler collection (#CS2008) for $10.00 on their website and I highly recommend you try them out. It's a very nicely saturated and heavy cardstock with a fine tooth to it.

For this card, I used a standard A2 base of Papertrey Ripe Avocado. The card was cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and scored on my Scor-Pal at 4 1/4". The mat is Papertrey Spring Moss cut at 5 1/4" x 4". The stamped image and sentiment are from the Stampin' Up! set "Upsy Daisy" (#111710). They were stamped using a Stampin' Pad in Handsome Hunter (#105215). The ribbon is Stampin' Up! 5/8" striped grosgrain in Kiwi Kiss (#111372, which compliments perfectly with the Papertrey cardstocks). The mat was attached using my ATG714 adhesive gun. Finally, I used a Copic Atyou Spica marker in Melon for accent. (The envelope is an A2 size in Kraft from Stampin' Up!)

Going green and good friends are a good thing! Have a great day and Keep Crafting!

S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G

Children, I'm not sure what to say in my defense. It seems as if the Spring Fever is spreading and along with the lovely pollen (not) and I've apparently succumbed to a major shopping bug! Okay, I know. I had to try and pretend that it was something out of the ordinary for me, but alas... He breathes. He shops.

I've just received an order of about (13) fantabulous sets of Stampin' Up! rubber stamps. I completed my three color families of Stampin' Up! Stampin' Pads (Bold Brights, Earth Elements, and Rich Regals), as well as the coordinating re-inkers. I have a couple of inks from the Soft Subtles family (and I'm sure eventually I'll get them all), but somehow there's just not much about me (or my crafting) that is soft or subtle.

I also caved in and placed my first order with Papertrey Ink. Which raises the imponderable question: Exactly how many stamps, inks, and papers does one man need to fully function in society? (Don't answer that! My shrink and I are currently hashing that one out, lol.)

Another little excursion saw me picking up the new 7 Gypsies Binderie Punch, and while I haven't had a lot of time to play with it as of yet--what I have done with it is very promising. It's a great little portable tool for those of you that like to make your own chipboard books, word books, and mini-albums. I'll hopefully have a feature next week using it.

I also bit the bullet on the ProvoCraft cartridge offer for Home Decor and Jubilee. Of course, I had to get in on the one payment option to get the Cricut Jukebox. It's something I've considered in the past but never decided that I "needed" it. This deal was just too good to pass up.

On a completely non-craft related purchase, I've discovered Scentsy and my wallet may never forgive me.

I've worked for the past two days on a set of cards for one of my Cricut Message Board Card Swaps--and I'm really pleased with the end results. I have another set of card fronts to work on this weekend and hopefully I'll share pictures of those two projects with you next week as well.

Whatever your plans for the upcoming weekend, I hope you find some time to shop, craft and spend a little quality time with yourself. Have a great weekend and Keep Crafting!

P.S. I would like to send a very special cyber shout-out to The Pink Stamper on the momentous occasion of her 100th video tutorial. ROBYN, you ROCK girlfriend and your provide so much information and assistance to crafters everywhere (and I for one, never miss an episode)! Big Hug!

Fabulous Friend

Hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend with family and friends. Mine was quiet, but I did have dinner with my Mom, my sister and her family on Sunday evening.

I worked on several card projects this weekend as well. I also started a new list of items I want to order on my next Stampin' Up! order. Apparently, the madness never ends.



Today's card project uses the following materials list:

--Stampin' Up! Oval All Stamp Set (#113790)
--Stampin' Up! Large Oval Punch (#107305)
--Stampin' Up! Scallop Oval Punch (#114889)
--Stampin' Up! Classic Stampin' Pad in Garden Green (#102272
--Stampin' Up! 8 1/2" x 11" Cardstock in Kiwi Kiss (#111353)
--Stampin' Up! 8 1/2" x 11" Cardstock in Whisper White (#100730)
--7 Gypsies Decorative Paper; Nottinghill Collection
--Stampin' Up! Simple Flower Embosslit Die (#114514)
--Stampin' Dimensionals (2)
--Stardream Mica Fuse Cardstock in Serpentine
--Prima Center Kiss Jewel in Deep Emerald
--Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pen in Clear
--Scotch ATG714 Gold adhesive



For this card project, I tried out some new toys from the new Occasions mini-catalog from Stampin' Up! Specifically I used the stamp set called "Oval All" which was designed to work with the large oval punch and the new scallop oval punch. For the card base I chose a piece of Stampin' Up! cardstock in Kiwi Kiss and cut it down to a standard A2 size, 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I chose the stamp that said "Fabulous Friend" on it and stamped it on Whisper White cardstock with Garden Green Ink. I then used the large oval punch to punch out the sentiment. For the backing scalloped oval, I used a small piece of mica cardstock in a light green color with an exquisite shimmer to it called Serpentine. As I have lamented in the past, this beautiful cardstock from Italy does NOT photograph well, but it is a must-see in person. I purchase my mica cardstock from California Paper Goods.




As a Cuttlebug fan, I've never really played with any Sizzix products. However, there is a set of exclusive to Stampin' Up! embosslits dies that are made for use in the Big Shot in the current catalog. I ordered a couple of them in hopes that they would work with my trusty Cuttlebug--and they do work beautifully. These dies are small hinged rounded squares that cut and emboss the design at the same time. I simply put the paper (in this case more Stardream mica cardstock in several colors) and placed the die between the two B plates and ran it through the Cuttlebug. I used both dies I have currently and numerous color shades and played way too much as evidenced by my virtual flower garden.




Needless to say, I'll save all my flowers for various projects. I chose to use one cut from the Simple Flower die in the Serpentine mica cardstock for this project. I also chose a piece of decorative paper from the 7 Gypsies Nottinghill Collection cut to 3" x 5 1/2". I adhered to decorative paper off center to my base cardstock with my ATG714 adhesive gun. I also adhered the oval sentiment to the scallop base. I adhered the scalloped sentiment to the card front using Stampin' Dimensionals to give it lift away from the cardbase and create more visual interest. For my flower embellishment, I adhered a small Prima Center Kiss blossom to the flower's center for just a pop of darker color. I then adhered the flower to the card. For a final touch, I used a clear Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pen to outline the flower and the edges of the decorative paper (which again does not photograph well).





Well, I hope you get a bit of inspiration to surprise one of your fabulous friends with a card when they least expect it. Every now and again, we can all use a bit of pick-me-up when it's least expected.

Have a great Monday--and Keep Crafting!

Garden Greetings

Well, hello there!

I bet you thought I'd finally been confined to that psychiatric hospital for the craftily insane hung up my ATG714 adhesive gun and called it quits. It's been so long since I've posted that I forgot my own password! I really have no excuse for my absence other than laziness--and a period of lack of inspiration.

The good (?) news is that I've found my mojo again. I'm really going to make a concerted effort to post more of my projects and keep the blog fresh. So, I hope you will bear with me.

Recently, I finally succumbed to the temptation (after spending the equivalent of the GNP of a small developing country) and became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I know, I know... It seems like everyone and there mother is a demonstrator these days. But, give me a bit of credit--I'm a MALE Stampin' Up demonstrator (lol). Seriously, I've been so impressed with the products and company that it is an honor to be a demonstrator. I know you have many options when looking for your Stampin' Up! products, but I hope to provide great service, perks and fun along the way. So if you are in the market for something, please keep me in mind. But enough about that. Let's make something.

I was itching to try a project with one of my new stamp sets--and yet wanting to do something "different". So, this is the card I came up with:

Materials List:

--Stampin' Up! Garden Greetings Set (#113716)
--Stampin' Up! Stamp Pad in Basic Black (#101179)
--clear transparency sheet
--mica cardstock
--decorative paper
--brads (4)
--adhesive
--EK Success corner rounder punch
--Tim Holtz piercing tool

To begin the process, I choose a lovely and large bloom stamp from the Stampin' Up! Garden Greetings set. Using the Basic Black Stampin' Pad, I cut a piece of clear transparency into a 3" x 4 1/4" block.



I then stamped the image several times in random places on the transparency and allowed it to dry completely.



The base of my card is going to be a standard A2 size. Therefore you need a piece of cardstock measuring 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". I chose to use a beautiful piece of mica cardstock that has an incredible sheen to it (that unfortunately does NOT photograph well). For the element pieces of my card, I needed a decorative paper measuring 3" x 4 1/4" (to mount my transparency stamping on). The paper I chose was from the Basic Grey Two Scoops collection. It has lovely pinks in it that compliment the base cardstock and the swirls provide a great backdrop to my blossoms.



To attach the transparency film to my decorative paper block, I decided to use brads--in this case four (4) Doodlebug Sugared brads (two pink, two white). Not only will the brads hold my elements together, they'll do double duty as stamen in my flowers. For easy attachment, I used my Tim Holtz piercing tool to make holes through the transparency and decorative paper where I wanted my brads to attach.



Once all four brads are in place, the element is ready to be adhered to the card base.



As a final decorative touch for my card, I decided to round the corners of my card using an EK Success punch.



Here's a look at the final card and a close-up of the detail.




Well, I hope this inspires you to think Spring! I know the weather is not cooperating in many parts of the country, but it's definitely time for us to put some flowers into our lives!

See you soon...and keep crafting!