Smile

When working on last Friday’s card, my eye caught an interesting image.  In the middle of the Sundial stamp is a wonderful little flower.

The shape and design were perfect for framing with a Reverse Wonky Rectangle.

Two additional hidden finds were from the transparents sets Touch of Whimsy (flower stems used for border stamping) and Xmas Snapshots (sentiment).

To be savvy with supplies and make the most out of paper scraps, I stamped the parts of the flower I needed using a homemade mini stamp press.

I attached a scrap of white paper to an acrylic block with temporary adhesive and pressed it into the inked stamp.  This made it very easy to lift the stamped image away from the stamp and the block provided a sturdy surface to press on while making the impression.  After removing the stamped image, I cleaned the over stamped design on the acrylic block with a damp paper towel.

For quick distressing, I started with a colored piece of cardstock and added highlights to match the card.

Detailed Card Instructions:

• Die-cut three large Reverse Wonky Rectangles – two from white cardstock and one from light blue cardstock. (Note: For this sample, the 5^th largest die was traced and then cut to provide the desired size.) 
• Stamp flower stems around the perimeter of the light blue die cut with VersaMark Watermark ink and heat emboss with white powder.
• Lightly add touches of Faded Jeans and Mustard Seed Distress inks.  Adhere to one of the white rectangles.  This will conceal any ink that may be on the back of the distressed piece.
• Score a line 1 inch from the top of the second white rectangle and apply adhesive to the scored tab.  Adhere the decorative light blue cardstock to create the card base.  Add star dust stickles to the embossed design and set aside to dry.
• Using the 4th largest rectangle, die cut one white and one light blue rectangle.  Using the same die, trace the outer edge on black cardstock and trim to create a slightly larger mat.
• Die cut the center of the light blue rectangle with the 3^rd largest die to create a frame and distress with Faded Jeans and Mustard Seed Distress Inks.  Add black dots with a Micron pen for embellishment.
• Using the window as a guide for placement, stamp the sentiment on the white rectangle with black ink and heat emboss with clear powder.
• Wrap a piece of ribbon around the card base and tie in a knot on the left side.
• Mat the white rectangle with the black rectangle and adhere to the front of the card over the ribbon with dimensional foam.
• Add dimensional foam to the back of the colored frame and place into position.
• Stamp the flower and flower center with black ink and heat emboss with clear powder.  Color with Copics and trim.
• Layer the center of the flower with dimensional foam.  Add additional foam to the entire flower and insert into the frame.

I hoped you enjoyed this smile from me to you - as you always share so many with me!

Have a great day,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps:  Sundial 4159K, Touch of Whimsy 30-073, Xmas Snapshots 30-055

Penny Black “Mix & Match” Cardstock:  Storm 01-003, Clear Skies 10-001

Ranger: Faded Jeans Distress Ink, Mustard Seed Distress Ink, Star Dust Stickles

Spellbinders: Reverse Wonky Rectangles S4-307

Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, VersaMark Watermark Ink, White Embossing Powder, Clear Embossing Powder

Copic Markers

Sakura:  Black Micron Pen

3M Scotch:  Dimensional Foam Tape

Ribbon:  ½” wide Sheer Organdy