Gratitude Seeds - Inspired By Stamping

Hello, March....and hello to each you, too!!

*****Quick note:  Don't forget to check in here for my GIVEAWAY!!!*****

I have tons of Thank You notes to write for all the amazing and thoughtful Birthday greetings and gifts I received this week.  So I thought I would start out with this card made from the Garden Seed Packets stamp set that I won from Inspired by Stamping.  Don't you just love the vintage flower seed packet look????  I sure do.  THANK YOU, IBS!!!  Hey, it even goes along with their challenge!  Yay!!  One of these times, I am going to make something besides pink cards....but I just love crafting with pink!!

Here's how I made it:
1.  Stamp the seed packet envelope image on the printed cardstock and heat emboss.  I used black pigment ink and Clear Bark embossing powder to make the outlines a dark brownish black, instead of a harsh black color.  Do the same thing on the pink background.  Distress and ink the edges of the pink cardstock.
2.  Next fussy cut around the outside of the image on the printed piece and also cut out the window along the inner lines of the oval.  I used a small craft knife to accomplish this and inked all the inner and outer edges with ink from my Walnut Stain Distress Ink Pad.
3.  Next stamp the rose image on ivory cardstock and heat emboss.  I used Distress Ink in Walnut Stain and Clear Bark embossing powder to give the outline an even softer look than I had for the seed packet image.
4.  Next watercolor the rose image.  I used Gelatos in Metallic Melon, Tangerine, and Lemon by scribbling a bit in my palette and dipping my brush in water to make a wash of the right intensity.  Fussy cut after the image is dry and ink the edges to define the outline.

In the close up below, you might be able to see the metallic sheen on the shaded portions of the image.  It reminds me of real rose petals that have almost a sheen or iridescence to them when the sun hits them just right.  Remember you can get an even closer look by clicking on the image....and really zoom in by selecting View Image.



5.  Then adhere a sheet of vellum over the pink cardstock, keeping well within the boundaries of the outlines.
6.  Cut and arrange the leaves.  I used May Arts Leaves Ribbon.  Let some of the leaves overlap the oval.
7.  Adhere the rose image over the leaves.
8.  Stamp and heat emboss the banner and Gratitude Seeds label.  I used black pigment ink and Clear Bark embossing powder.  Then trimmed with a small margin around the banner outline.  Then I adhered the banner with 3D Foam Squares (which I cut in half to fit my banner) for dimension.
9.  Top it off with an ivory bow and mount the card front onto an ivory card base.  Voila!!

Thanks sooooo much for stopping by my blog.  I appreciate each and every one of you!!  I especially LOVE comments!!  One friend told me that she was unable to leave a comment.  Has that happened to anyone else????  Use the form on the side to email me and let me know if your comments aren't working.  I don't know if I can fix anything, but it will be helpful for me to know.  

Blessings to you all!

<3
Janis

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
1.  Inspired By Stamping--Monthly Challenge "Flowers"
2.  Inspired By Stamping--March Customer Gallery Contest
3.  Red Rubber Inspirationals--#109 "Heartfelt Thanks"
4.  Sweet Stamps--Challenge #158 "Favorite Color(s)"

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CAT STATUS UPDATE:
My, oh my, were the cats active this morning when I was trying to get my card photographed.....climbing and jumping on everything.....even on the table where I had my card lying!!  Othello takes a gigantic leap up into the loft from the top of the refrigerator (where he is not supposed to be) and shakes the entire house when he jumps back down.  Andromeda and Whiskers were chasing each other around...mostly A chasing W, and W hissing.  The two rival old lady cats:  Chaienne and Aliyah were too dignified (read: lazy) to engage in the fray.    When they are holding still enough, I will try to get photos of them posted so you can see who they are.

What naughty things are your pets up to?
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