Birthday Cards: April 17

Earlier this month, I teased my newsletter subscribers with a photo of the flowers I used on these cards.  The You are Remarkable stamp set has a 2-step stamp with a line image of a flower that offers us so many possibilities!  It's actually 4-steps as the line image is 1, the leaves would be 2, the petals 3 and the flower center 4.

To color these flowers, I used Blends, watercolor pencils, a water painter and ink from an ink pad, OR the stamps in the set with ink pads.  I didn't have time to get to heat embossing and coloring the floral image--or not coloring it.  How about a dark cardstock with a metallic embossing powder?!

To complete my cards, I used a wide variety of backgrounds (some made many months ago), extra die cuts I had on my table, and 2 fun techniques.  I'll explain with each photo.

Do you recognize the background 'mess' on this first card?  A while ago I talked about using your inks to create backgrounds.  This background is Soft Sea Foam cardstock with several green inks but primarily Shaded Spruce.  Can you see the little bee with a flying trail tucked under the flower?  Such a cute, little stamp!  I've got a few ideas for him!  

This is a simple z-fold card.  I used a Something Fancy die behind the flower.  Those dies are on the Last Chance list and are currently discounted!

For my next card, I inked the Birch Wood 3D embossing folder with Basic Beige cardstock inked with Crumb Cake ink (on the Stampin' Up! label side).

I used the now retired Keeping Tabs stamp set and the long retired small oval punch for my sentiment.  The Lost Lagoon embossed piece was in my stash! The Layered Florals 3D embossing folder is on its way out and is on sale in our Last Chance offerings.  (I didn't realize that I used 2 embossing folders on this card until just this minute.)

AND I used a fun technique to partial die cut the flower.  By putting my top cutting plate below the flower, I only die cut the bottom part of the oval. Then I fussy cut around the top of the flower.

These 'wood' pieces were laying on my crafting table for weeks!  I made a ladder out of them.  The horizontal pieces were die cut with the Filled with Fun dies.  I'll include a link below, because they are also on the Last Chance list and currently (4/17/25) discounted.  I die cut the wagon side piece in Crumb Cake cardstock and added Crumb Cake ink to the die cut.  For my vertical pieces I cut 1/4" strips of Wood Textured Specialty Paper and inked them with Crumb Cake ink.

And finally, a new product!  The Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder was released with the March Online Exclusives.  On the inside I used Spring Corners and With you In Mind stamp sets.  That's Pretty Peacock and Daffodil Delight with Crumb Cake if you like knowing specific colors.

It's always my hope to inspire you to create today.  And no naked envelopes!  LOL

Happy Stampin'!