This post was sponsored by Simon Says Stamp. Thanks, Simon!
Hi friends! We are at the end of another stretch of bitterly cold weather, as most of the country is, I think, and I thought I’d brighten things up with a tropical-themed card using some warm greens and yellows! I’ve been to Mexico a few times, and I am always astounded by the vibrancy of the colors everywhere, from the flora to the fabrics to the decor…. it’s a visual feast! I channeled some of that into this project using some dies that I had not yet had a chance to use, along with the blackout technique on the Feathery Fronds embossing folder, so let’s get started with the details!
*I have gathered links to all of the products used at the bottom of the post for your convenience, using affiliate links. Thank you for shopping with my links! I truly appreciate your support for my work!*
I began by running an A2 panel of white cardstock through my die cutting machine using the Feathery Fronds embossing folder, then flipping the cardstock over so that the debossed side was facing up. I used blending brushes to blend Celery and Fairway inks over the debossed foliage, concentrating the darker green in the center and brushing the tips of the fronds with the lighter green to create a bit of gradation and interest on the foliage. After I had finished blending, I put the Nocturne Pigment Ink pad directly to the cardstock and gently swiped the black ink over the raised areas, highlighting the debossed pattern while still allowing the ink blending to peek through. I love the dramatic effect this creates!
For my focal point, I die cut the Lily Duo die and the Etched Delicate Frond die sets from white cardstock, then used blending brushes with Celery, Fairway, and Lemonade Pawsitively Saturated Inks to blend some beautiful and vivid color on the individual die cuts. I don’t frequently use yellow for a focal point, so it was fun to step outside of my color comfort zone for this card!
For the greeting, I stamped the coordinating sentiment strips onto some black cardstock using the Lovely stamp set, then die cut the large scale coordinating sentiment die from some sparkling lime green Altenew Fairy Dust Glitter Cardstock, adding the shadow layer with some more black cardstock. I arranged the flowers and foliage on the debossed and blended card front using both liquid and foam adhesive, then tucked the sentiment pieces amongst the arrangement with a double layer of foam adhesive to give it some extra height. Finally, I added some extra shimmer to the card with a few Sprout Pawsitively Dazzling Gems.
Well, that’s all for my project today! While it is frigid outside, I am dreaming of a warm tropical paradise with drinks decorated with little umbrellas, delicious fresh fruit, sunglasses, and sparkling pool waters. Thanks so much for stopping by today, and have a marvelous day! Stay warm, friends!
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