Magic Patterns Friendship Blooms

I was so inspired after workin' in Kim's dungeon that I had to make another card with similar ingredients. I wanted to make this for someone special, but it's a surprise. For a long time, I've been meaning to try using distressing to make a piece of homemade designer paper. More about that later. For now, here's a little tutorial on how to make these flowers :0)

Stamp the Friendship Blooms flower in Chocolate Chip ink (or use Timber Brown Stazon if you have it.) Colour center flowers with silver pen and then go over with a Sakura glitter pen.

Cut the flowers in a group that will be the right size to stamp a background stamp onto.

Chalk details of the flowers. It is neat to do this because the next step will make the pastels look even richer and also protect them.

Cover a background stamp in Versamark and press onto the flowers. (I love the way Paisley looks in this technique.) Then cover with clear detail embossing powder & heat it.

This step is the most fun! Just put a wash of ink over it. You can make it as subtle or as contrasting as you like.

Here's a detail of the texture. I've used Regal Rose to coordinate with this Basic Grey "Inspire" paper (from the Infuse line inf-834):

You can cut as closely as you like. This set is perfect, because you don't have to cut too closely: it has a whimsical design.

Paint some solid flowers for in behind the magic patterns ones & cut them too.

Add centers to the flowers with Crystal Effects. If you want a cracked glass look, you can scratch the back of the gem with your paper piercer (though I imagine this depends on the type of gem.)


You can create your own designer paper to match the Basic Grey by layering distressing applications:

Layer direct to paper technique (rub your stamp pad right on cardstock at an angle and swipe ink onto it.) I've used my fave Naturals cardstock in white and the ink is still Regal Rose.

Apply Versamark to the Paisley background, then ink with Close to Cocoa classic ink. Stamp it and then reapply randomly. Use the direct to paper technique on the edges with the Close to Cocoa ink pad. It looks mucky by itself, but it's nicer on the card, promise.

Cut your mats for the main image (the neutral center square is the same Infuse "Inspire" paper as these strips of designer paper. I've matted them then assembled the card. Other Details I've added at this point are: Rub On phrase, and dotted lines from the Love & Happiness Rub-ons in the Sale-a-bration mini catalogue. Then I went over the Inspire paper with a Sakura glitter pen (clear.) I also used that glitter pen to add dots in between the dotted line of the Rub-on (that was my favourite little detail, since it seemed subtle but added a lot.

I'll leave you with a detail shot of the flower & a description of how to make the leaves:

These leaves are easily made by freehand drawing them with the glitter pen onto Chocolate Chip cardstock. If you use extra pressure to draw the line down the middle, you can use the sort of recessed dry embossed line it leaves to create a valley fold (after you cut them out.) Then just adhere the leaves with glue dots and it's all done!

Happy Craftin'
:0)
Mel