arching leaf border

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

Hi friends! I have a bold and vibrant card to share with you today created using some leftover cardstock that I had lying on my desk. Between mom work (which never really stops, ha), illustrator work, and cardmaking work, I tend to focus in spurts on different activities. Sometimes, I’m deep into a hyperfocus on new illustrations, like I have been the last few days. Sometimes, I am laser focused on cardmaking, and the flurry of activity on my desk makes it look like a tornado has gone through my office! When this happens, I tend to end up with a lot of random colorful scraps on my desk. This gorgeous royal blue cardstock was discarded from a previous project and landed right next to some pearlescent peridot cardstock. I thought they looked smashing together, so I decided to use them for my next project with some fun die cutting. Let’s get started with the details on my card!

*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!*

To begin, I die cut the Arching Leaf Border from that lush peridot pearlescent cardstock. This super intricate die cuts like a dream with the pearlescent cardstock; I tend to find that the coating on specialty cardstock like this cuts these super intricate dies absolutely perfectly. Before adhering it to the panel of Altenew Azurite Cardstock, I used blending brushes to blend Royal Pawsitively Saturated Ink along one side of the panel, creating some extra contrast behind the vibrant green die cut. I also splattered some sparkling liquid watercolors on the card front before adhering the Arching Leaf Border die cut along the edge of the blue panel using liquid adhesive.

With the background complete, I turned my attention to the focal point. I die cut the lovely Etched Magnolia Blossom images twice from white cardstock, then used OLO Markers to add some vivid green shading to the center of the blooms before adhering them together with foam adhesive squares. I arranged the duo on the vivid card front and adhered them with more foam adhesive squares, tucking the blooms in the curve of the leaves to create a vibrant floral swag. I also tucked a couple of individual leaf die cuts in with the flowers to fill out the arrangement.

For the greeting, I used the beautiful new With Thanks stamp set, heat embossing two different sentiments onto some more Azurite cardstock with White Pigment Ink and white embossing powder, then trimming and die cutting the individual sentiments before adhering them to the card front with a double layer of foam adhesive. Finally, I added a few Opal Pawsitively Dazzling Gems to add a touch more sparkle to the card.

Well that’s all for my project today! I am totally in love with this super vibrant color palette. I always enjoy pushing myself with colors, (like my friend Susan!) and this is definitely a new favorite. Thanks so much for stopping by today, and have a marvelous day!

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!