Encouraging Flowers of Friendship

My share today is one of the encouragement cards we mailed to our shut-ins this month. Over 100 cards are created every month and sent to those in need. We also partner with Meals on Wheels in our community and have them delivered with meals for the week.

The card began with a 4 1/4″ x 11″ base of Polished Pink card stock scored at 2 3/4″ and 5 1/2″. The next layer is 3 3/4″ x 5″ of Basic White embossed at the top half using the Pretty Flowers 3D Embossing Folder. The bottom half is decorated with a 2″ x 3 3/4″ piece of the hostess Pattern Party DSP selection. A 1/2″ x 3 3/4″ piece of Basic Black card stock was placed over the seam and wrapped in Black Glittered Organdy Ribbon and attached to the card front centered using Mono Liquid Glue only at the bottom portion of the layer.

The next layer is cut from Basic Black card stock with the largest Stitched So Sweetly scalloped border die. From the center of the cut out piece we die cut the focal point image using another Stitched So Sweetly die, saving card stock that would be covered by the Basic White matting layer anyway. The Basic White layer is 2 5/8″ x 3 3/4″ and embossed with the Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder. This layer is attached to the card base centered using Dimensionals.

Our focal layer is stamped with a sentiment from Hydrangea Haven in Versamark and heat embossed with White Embossing Powder. The blossoms are from Flowers of Friendship stamped in Memento Black. Each is colored using Polished Pink and Old Olive stamping blends and applied with Mini Glue Dots. The focal layer is attached to the card base with Dimensionals. The final touch is a bow tied with the Black Glittered Organdy Ribbon and attached with a Mini Glue Dot.

The inside begins with a 3 7/8″ x 5 1/8″ layer of Basic White card stock. Attached at the bottom with Mono Liquid Adhesive is a layer 1 3/4″ x 3 7/8″ of Basic Black card stock embossed with the Pretty Flowers 3D Embossing Folder. The next layer is 1 1/4″ x 3 1/4″ of Basic Black cut from one of the Stitched Rectangle dies. It is stamped with a sentiment from Hydrangea Haven and embossed with White Embossing Powder. Attached in the upper right corner is a small bloom stamped and colored with Polished Pink Blends from Hydrangea Haven. The finished layer is attached to the inside centered at the bottom using Dimensionals.

Our card this month is an easel card that our shut ins can display on a table next to their favorite chair to enjoy for the month. It’s such a blessing to be able to bring joy to others! We include scripture and an encouraging message in each card sent.

If you are in need of supplies and live in the United States…

I’d love to be your Stampin’ Up demonstrator!

You can order your supplies from my online store here. Looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Happy stamping,

Dacia Smith

Hydrangea Mother’s Day

I’m participating with the Crafty Carrot this month, Cindy Schuster kicked off March sharing details about the Hydrangea Haven stamp set and a sneak peek sample. Susan Wong shared a tutorial yesterday featuring a Pop and Twist Card. She inspired us all with her over the top card and this is my first attempt with this stamp set. Stay tuned for more cards as I learn and share from all the talented crew this month.

I began with a Gray Granite Card base of 4″ x 11″ scored at 5 1/2″. The next layer is 3 5/8″ x 5 1/8″ of Sahara Sand embossed with the Ornate Floral Folder and distressed on the outer edges. The blossom stem was stamped in Pear Pizzazz on Soft Sea Foam card stock and die cut. The pink blossom was die cut from a beautiful water colored piece of the Sand and Sea Designer Paper. I added 9 blooms with pearl centers to enhance the flower heads. The sentiment is stamped in Basic Gray from a retired set, Tea Together die cut with Ornate Frames. It’s finished off with a Gray Granite Shimmer Ribbon/Linen Thread bow with a sweet tag from the stamp set stamped in Basic Gray.

When the card is opened it packs a big punch with the 4 panel pop and twist mechanism on the inside. Lots of real estate for showcasing the beautiful Hydrangea Haven stamp set. The top and bottom of the card base is layered with the same Sand and Sea Designer Paper. I attached 9″ of Gray Granite Shimmer Ribbon to the top and bottom before applying the designer paper to add a ribbon bow closure for the card. The four panels are Shimmer White measuring 2 3/8″ x 3 3/8″. The first was stamped with the outline image in Pear Pizzazz and Melon Mambo with the fill image in Soft Sea Foam and Rococo Rose. I die cut another layer for the blossom and applied over the stamped image.

On the second panel I applied a water color wash and stamped a sentiment in Basic Gray. For the third panel I applied a wash and stamped the small leaf image in Basic Gray second generation and watercolored in Pear Pizzazz. For the final panel, I stamped the single blossom repeatedly to create a partial blossom head in each corner and watercolored in a mixture of Melon Mambo and Rococo Rose. I then applied a wash to the remaining panel. After applying each layer to the pop out panel I splattered them with my Watercolor brush dipped in the Melon Mambo/Rococo Rose mixture. I left plenty of room for writing a heartfelt message for a special someone in my life. Hope you will consider joining in on the fun next month where the featured set will be Hey Birthday Chick.

If you need any supplies for recreating this gem, I’d love to be your Stampin’ Up demonstrator if you don’t already have a connection with someone. Just send me an email at ddebona14@aol.com and I’ll get back to you right away. Hope you have a great day!

Dacia Smith