Happy Sunflowers with new Simon Says Stamp Cheering For You Release!

This post was sponsored by Simon Says Stamp. Thanks, Simon!

Hi friends! I have some vibrant sunflower inspiraiton to share with you today using some new goodies from the Simon Says Stamp Cheering For You release. (The contests on Day 1 and 2 of the blog hop are still open, so be sure to check out the Simon Says Stamp blog if you haven’t already!) I love a good standalone die, because you can do so many fun techniques and create so much beautiful texture depending on your cardstock choices! I have two cards to share with you today using several of the new goodies from the release, so let’s get started with the details!

The beautiful new Arching Leaf Border immediately jumped out at me when sorting through the new release. The incredible detail and generous size are gorgeous just on their own, but I couldn’t resist adding some pretty flowers. I was inspired by the new Sunflower Pattern layering stencil set to pair the leaves with some cheerful sunflower die cuts using a crisp, vibrant yellow, green, and black color palette for both of my projects!

To start my shaker card, I die cut the different elements from the Arching Leaf Border from some bright green cardstock. This new die set cuts a beautifully intricate botanical frame that can be cut multiple times to be used to create a full background or once, as I’ve done here, to create a partial background. The die set also comes with individual leaves that you can layer on the intricate frame. I have lots of ideas rolling around in my head for this die set, and I can’t wait to play with it some more! I paired these simply-shaped leaves with some Little Sunflower Bloom die cuts, which I cut from white cardstock and colored using OLO markers, layering two of the sunflower images together to create nice, full floral image.

I wanted to allow those botanical die cut details to shine through, so I decided to back the vivid green leaves with a black card front, adding some extra sparkle with a flat shaker! I created a shaker pocket from some leftover stamp packaging and some black cardstock, then filled it with the new Garden Blooms Embellishment Mix. I adhered the green foliage frame on the edge of the shaker front using liquid adhesive, then nestled the colorful sunflower die cuts amongst the greenery with some foam adhesive. I added a greeting created with the Happy Combos stamps and coordinating dies and the Happy die, which I die cut using Glossy Black cardstock and vellum. I love how beautifully the sequins peek through from behind the delicate leaf die cuts!

For my second card, I used the new Sunflower Pattern layered stencil to create a sunshiny background for the new Swing Blossoms die cuts. I used Pawsitively Saturated Inks in shades of Butter, Zest, Honey, (or purchased as a combo HERE), with Pearfection and Cappuccino inks to create the lovely Sunflower Pattern background on a panel of white A2 cardstock. I die cut an oval focal point using the Nested Ovals dies, then softened the die cut by blending Butter ink around the edges of the oval die cut.

To enhance the pretty yellow floral pattern, I die cut the Swing Blossoms dies twice from some coordinating green and yellow cardstocks, adhering all of the pieces with some liquid adhesive. I added black enamel dots to the center of each flower to create some black eyed Susans! I adhered the oval die cut to one of the new Black A2 Side Fold cards using some of the new Thin Foam Adhesive Squares. I adhered the floral swags on the edge of the stenciled oval, then nestled another greeting from the Happy Combos stamps and coordinating dies and the Happy die, which I die cut using Glossy Black cardstock and vellum. I added a few Sunbeam gems for added sparkle!