Free Flower Tutorial

As promised, I made another flower today and took some step-by-step photos. And since I honestly have no idea how to link this post to a pdf file, I am just going to add some photos and walk you through one :) Feel free to copy this post to a word document so you will have it for future use.

Step 1: Choose your cardstock and punch two images using the Blossom Punch. I chose Primrose Petals which in one of the gorgeous new In Colors for 2012-2014. You will be able to purchase these beginning June 1st. You will love them all, trust me!

Step 2: Using Paper Snips, or any pair of sharp scissors, cut a slit between two petals into the center of one of the blossoms. From the other, cut two of the petals completely off by snipping in towards the center of the flower:

Step 3: Use your bone folder to "curl" the cardstock the same way you would curl that narrow ribbon for gift packages. This will separate the fibers of the cardstock and make it soft and pliable:

Step 4: Add some Tombo All-Purpose Glue to one of the petals next to slit in the large blossom and overlap the petal next to it. Cut between each of the other petals in towards the center of the flower just to separate them a bit more so they will shape easier. Then add glue to the smaller flower and overlap the petals to form a 3-petal insert. Use your bone folder to shape an indention in the center of each flower:

Step 5: Using your bone folder, "curl" the petals toward the back of the flower on both pieces:

Step 6: Put a dab of Tombo glue in the center of the large flower and add the smaller flower to the center. Let it set to dry - about 5 to 10 minutes:

Step 7: Cut a small piece of Whisper White (I cut mine 1/2" x 3/4" but actually ended up cutting it down to 1/2" xd 5/8") and cut lots of narrow slits to make it look like grass: 

Step 8: Curl this piece around and "mash" the strips out and about. Glue it to the center of the flower and.......voila!!! :

I hope you like the flower. Feel free to copy and share with your friends :) It really is so easy and fun to make! And the possibilities for using it are endless! I actually have a small gazebo-style wooden birdhouse type thing that I am going to play around with and I will let you know how that turns out....

Well, I am off to work on my swap cards and planning for Convention. I can't wait to go and share everything I learn with you :) I know there is lots to come that you will thoroughly enjoy!!! The new catalog goes live on Friday, June 1st and it is AWESOME!!!! Lots of cool new stuff to play with....I love this time of year :)

So, enjoy the weather and keep smiling. 'Til next time.......................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!!

Mother's Day Shadow Box

Well, I did it. I registered for my very first Stampin' Up Convention. It may be my only chance to go so I took it :) I am so excited for the opportunity to learn and share with so many other stampers!!! I am signed up for 4 swaps and have to make a total of 245 cards and card fronts by the time I leave in July, but that just adds to the excitement :)

In the meantime, I thought I would share the project I did for my friend, Jackie. Her sister is a photographer and they did some photos of themselves and their daughters for a Mother's Day gift for Jackie and Jen's mom. They gave me an 8x10 photo and asked me to do a shadow box frame for them. The minute I saw the background, I knew exactly what colors I would use......Peach Parfait, Concord Crush (so sorry to see each of these leaving next week) and Basic Gray. I pulled out my punches and my Big Shot and after a week of planning and trial-and-error flowering making, this was the finished product that we added to a white shadow box frame:

I really wanted to make a Day Lily-type flower with the Peach Parfait, but no matter how I tried, I just couldn't get them to come out the way I had them pictured in my mind....very frustrating! So, I finally gave up trying and used that color for the roses. Then I started playing around with the Concord Crush and came up with a flower completely on my own (first time ever...woohoo!) I actually LOVE the way they turned out:

I used the Little Leaves Sizzlit to cut the leaves from Whisper White cardstock with my Big Shot (wait until you see all of the new accessories for this coming out in the new catalog next week!) and attached them with Mini Glue Dots. I used the Scallop Trim Border Punch on a wide strip of Whisper White layered with a strip of the Concord Crush Patterned Paper. I found the perfect little sentiment in God's Blessings (breaks my heart that this set is leaving) and stamped it on Whisper White with Concord Crush ink. I layered it with Concord Crush and then made a mat with Peach Parfait ran through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. I added the whole layered piece to the page using Stampin' Dimensionals:

Here is a closer view of the flower I created using the new Blossom Punch:

I am going to make another flower this weekend and I will post a step-by-step tutorial so you can make some of your own :) If anyone knows a flower that it resembles, please let me know so I can give it a name!!

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: God's Blessings

Cardstock: Basic Gray, Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Whisper White

Ink: Concord Crush

Accessories: Big Shot, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Blossom Punch, Fancy Flower Punch, Tombo All-Purpose Glue, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

I had so much fun creating this and Jackie's mom just loved it....making it all the more worthwhile. I have done several of these frames now and each time, I am inspired to create another. I just need to learn some different flowers and embellishments :) I know there are many talented people out there that are creating everyday so I am going to do some exploring for some fresh ideas this weekend.

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and remember the reason we celebrate it. I pray daily for the men and women who serve in our military and for the families that are separated from while they serve overseas. God bless each and every one of you. 'Til next time....................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!