I sometimes get stuck for inspiration with a new stamp set. This was the case with the Simon Says Stamp set Thoughtful Flowers. So, I just started stamping it on different paper stock to see what it would look like.

I had some Kraft card stock on my work table and instantly thought “tone on tone”. That’s how these really pretty, any occasion, cards came to be. I added a big, bold, white embossed sentiment and some scraps of colorful paper to finish these easy cards up in no time. Another great card to make in big batches. Enjoy!

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STEP BY STEP

Stamp the Flowers & Heat Emboss the Sentiments

SUPPLIES

• Simon Says Stamp set – Thoughtful Flowers
• Distress Ink – Brushed Corduroy
• Stamping Platform (This is a link to The Misti. The one I use is no longer available, but they all do the same thing.)
• Kraft card stock (this can be purchased at any craft store or card supply vendor).
• My Favorite Things stamp set – Well, Hello
• Anti-static Powder Pouch
• Versamark watermark ink pad (or any sticky ink)
• Embossing powder – Brutus Monroe Alabaster White
• Wagner Heat Tool

STEPS

1. Cut the kraft paper down to 4 ¼” x 5 ½” and place in your stamp platform.
2. Arrange the flower and butterfly stamps onto the background leaving an area to stamp a greeting later on.
3. Using the distress ink, stamp the images onto the background.
4. Repeat this step for all panels if you’re creating multiple cards, cleaning the stamp with a damp, dust free cloth in between.
5. Let the distress ink dry completely before moving on to heat embossing.
6. Place the Hello stamp on the background in the area you left blank and slightly overlapping the flower image.
7. Dust the background with anti static powder.
8. Ink up the stamp with Versamark sticky ink.
9. Pour the white embossing powder over the ink.
10. Heat until smooth and shiny.
11. Wipe off excess anti static powder from background.
12. Use the distress ink to stamp the sub sentiment on each card.

NOTE: As you can see in the video, it’s VERY important to use an anti static powder on the background, especially with kraft paper. The paper has more texture than a smooth white card stock and can grab the embossing powder quite easily. Get in the habit of using it EVERY SINGLE TIME you heat emboss.

TIP: Use a piece of a dry sweeping/dusting cloth, (like Swiffer) to wipe the anti static powder off the background after heat embossing. You can thank Jennifer McGuire for that little tip.

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Trim & Emboss Panel Elements

SUPPLIES

• Spellbinders Platinum 6 Manual Die Cutting Machine, (this is the machine I use the most)
• Waffleflower A2 Layers Die
• White craft foam
• Neenah Solar White 80# Cardstock
• Embossing Folder – Pefect Stripe by Carta Bella Paper Co.
• Colorful paper scraps
• Tim Holtz Tonic Guillotine Comfort Paper Trimmer
• Art Glitter liquid adhesive

STEPS

1. Use the A2 layers dies to trim down the flower panels, the white craft foam (to give dimension to the flower panels), and the background panel to be embossed.
2. Emboss the 80# white card stock and set aside.
3. Trim your colorful paper scraps to 1″ wide by 5 ½” high.
4. Glue a strip to the left side of the embossed panel using a liquid adhesive. Set aside to dry, (with a weight to keep it flat).
5. Use the liquid adhesive to adhere the white craft foam to the back of the stamped, kraft panels. Set aside to dry completely.
6. Repeat step 6 to adhere the kraft/craft foam elements to the embossed background, aligning the right edges and centering top to bottom. Dry completely.

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Assemble the Cards

SUPPLIES

• Neenah Solar White 110# Cardstock
• Mini Scoring Board
• Teflon Bone Folder
• Purple Tape
• 1/4″ Scor-Tape
• Tombow Mono Sand Eraser
• Studio Katia Clear Drops Mix
• Studio Katia Iridescent Crystals Mix
• Jewel Picker by Marvy
• Gina K. Designs Connect Glue

STEPS

1. Prepare your card bases by cutting an 8 ½” x 11″ sheet of Neenah 110# card stock in half.
2. Using the mini scoring board, score this sheet in half at the 4 ¼” mark. Tape closed with low tack tape to keep the card flat during assembly.
3. Use the Scor-Tape to adhere the assembled panels to your card base. Be sure and rub the tape down with the bone folder to ensure a very strong bond.
4. Add the embellishments with liquid glue.

TIP: Use a Tombow Mono Sand Eraser to remove any unwanted. stray embossing powder spots. Use it gently.

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That’s it my fellow card makers!

Mail these cards ASAP so others can benefit from the beauty and joy! These ones are pretty dimensional so make sure to take care when mailing. If mailing in the US, be sure and buy “non-machinable” postage so your cards don’t get smooshed in the USPS postal machines.

If you try this technique, be sure and share your artwork with us on the @ladymichellecreates Facebook page. Also, if you haven’t already, be sure and visit my YouTube channel, subscribe, and click the notification bell. I upload a video every week.

Thanks for spending time with me!

Blessings & Hugs,
Michelle