Sunday, January 13, 2008

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

18 comments:

Denise ~ Paper Ponderings said...

Perfectly fantastic!!! Thank you!

Tina said...

It´s so beautiful!

L.A. said...

WOW! First, the card is beautiful! Second, your tutorial is so generously detailed I feel like I could easily follow each step without feeling like I was missing something.

Thanks for sharing the finished product and the step-by-step!

Lori SBS2

Kim Etherington said...

Another fab card!

Anonymous said...

This is SO pretty!

Gwen said...

very pretty! TFS

Maria said...

Hi Mel,

Your card is beautiful and you're so creative. Thanks for the step by step instructions! You did wonderfully! The flowers came out great!

Your SBS2 sis,
Maria (Stampin Inspirations)

Becky G said...

Wow, Mel! This is gorgeous! I love all the details that you put into your cards and your instructions that go with them! You rock girl!

Gwen said...

Hi Mel....Gwen again....Just wanted to let you know how happy I am that I found your blog! It is awesome! I have been on it for about a hour this A.M. Thank you!! what a way to start my day!!!!! :-D

Marge said...

Hi, Mel,

Gwen pointed me to your blog; can't wait to come back when I have more time & check out more of your tuts!!! TFS!!!

Marge

ScrapMomOf2 said...

OMG! I stunned! This is a GORGEOUS card, and your step-by-step directions are amazing! I want to come over and play!

Leann said...

gorgeous :)

Anonymous said...

Woooah! So pretty! That's some technique you've got there. Actually I'm impressed with all your technique tutorials. So awesome!

Thanks for all the comments on my blog :D

Catherine said...

Great job, Mel! I'm totally inspired to try making my own DP! I'll let ya know how it goes.

AnnMarie said...

Absolutely gorgeous!! You put a ton of work into this card and it shows! This is really, really beautiful! Hope you are doing well! : )

jenn* said...

you are one incredibly talented lady!

~* Tracy *~ said...

I'm with 'scrapmomof2' I wanna come over and play too so I can absorb some of your amazing creativity! what a wonderful tutorial and your card is just gorgeous too! You're too clever!

Anonymous said...

I love all of your instructions and ideas. Thank you!