Large Hydrangea -- Tutorial

Today I created a card using the Garden Notes Hydrangea die set from Elizabeth Craft Designs.  I wanted a single large hydrangea so decided to experiment by using a larger base to create the flower.   Since this was a larger flower I needed a larger leaf so I used the leaves from the Garden Notes English Rose die set.   I was happy with the way it turned out.

Use the Garden Notes flower petal die and die cut it twelve times.  I was able to use two pieces of card stock together in order to only have to die cut this plate 6 times.  I used light purple card stock.

To give each petal some dimension, use a light gray or light purple pen to draw lines out from the center of each petal.  Use the smallest Life Changing brush to add a darker purple ink to the center of each flower.  Some of the flowers were shaded with a pinkish purple.  The inks I used are Altenew Lavender Fields and Purple Wine.  A few of the flowers were not inked at all.

Use the small ball stylus and press on  each of the petals, but do not press down in the center.  You want the petals shaped up but not the entire flower.

To create a larger flower, I used the Elizabeth Craft Designs Dotted Scallop die set.  Use the third largest die.  In the picture you can see the white circle that is in the die set, which is quite a bit smaller than the circle I used, to create one large flower.  Die cut three of the scalloped circles, using the light lavender card stock.

I like to shape my flowers on a craft mat, rather than right on the card.  Shape two of the scallop circles.  Use a large stylus and cup the circles so they are dome shaped.  Do not shape the third circle.  Glue the two shaped circles together, only adding glue to the outside edges.  Use the Stylus again to help create the dome shape.  Add glue to the outside edges of the shaped dome, and attach to the flat scalloped circle.  This gives you a sturdy shape for the hydrangea.  

Begin gluing the flower petals to the dome shape, beginning with the outside edge, working toward the center.  Using the Elizabeth Craft Design Fine Pointed Tweezers really help make placing the little flowers exactly where you want them.  Hold each flower by one petal and dip only the middle into the glue.  Place the flower on the dome and slide each flower close together.

Add all the flowers to the dome, adding them, off set, on top of bottom layer of flowers.  This gives you a full, nicely shaped domed hydrangea.

To add the centers to the hydrangea flowers, add a dot of glue in the center of each one.  Sprinkle yellow prills over the flower.  Only the Prills that hit the glue will stick.  Use a tray or something that will hold spilled prills. Let sit for a minute or two, then turn the hydrangea over and shake off all the extra Prills.  Pour the extra Prills back in the jar.

Use the Garden Notes English Rose die set and die cut 5 large leaves.  Draw in the veins, color, and shape the leaves.  

Use a 6-inch card base.  Cut a piece of the light lavender card stock slightly smaller and attach to the front of the card.  Cut a piece of white card stock 5 1/2 inches square.  Use a Score-Pal and score around the edges.  Attach to the front of the card.

Use the Elizabeth Craft Designs Romantic Corners die set and die cut one of the large corners, using white card stock.  Trim off the edges at the score lines.  Attach to the upper left corner of the card, as shown.

Use Joset's Dream Sentiments stamp set and stamp the sentiment, using VersaFine Black Ink, in the lower right corner.

Use dimensional glue dots and attach the hydrangea to the center of the card.  Add the stem and leaves under the flower.

Use the Leafy Branch die set and die cut 3 three branches.  Cut each branch in half and glue under the flower.  By using dimensional glue dots under the flower, the leaves can be easily tucked under it.  

This card can be mailed in one of the Clear Acrylic Boxes, from  Elizabeth Craft Designs.

Product links are provided below.

Persian Motifs

Today I have a card I created using stamps from Altenew. The floral stamp set is called Persian Motifs and the sentiment is from the Build A Flower Japanese Mum stamp set.  

This is a 6-inch square card.  I used a slightly smaller piece of white card stock and used Marianne Design corner dies to create the upper corners.  I have had these dies for many years and do not know if they are still available.  This piece was attached to a piece of Rosebud Soft Finish Cardstock cut 5 1/2 inches square.  

The flowers in the Persian Motifs stamp set were white embossed onto watercolor paper.  Be sure to space them far enough  apart so you can die cut them.   Use two shades of pink watercolors to color the flowers and two shades of green to watercolor the leaves.  Once the watercolor is dry, die cut all three flowers.  Arrange on the card as shown, saving one for the inside of the card.

Use the Build A Flower Japanese Mum stamp set and stamp the sentiment, using VersaMark Ink, onto a piece of the Rosebud cardstock.  White emboss.  Die cut this sentiment using a label die.  I used a Framelits label die from Sizzix (559202). Sponge dark pink around the edges then used a white gel pen to add white dots around the edges.   

Add a few sticky back pearls for the final embellishment.

On the inside of the card, attach the third Persian Motif.

Romantic Bouquet

Today I designed a non-dimensional floral card, using the ModaScrap Romantic Bouquet die, from Elizabeth Craft Designs.

This is a 6-inch card.  Use a piece of 12-inch white Soft Finish card stock cut 6x12 inches.  Score and crease across the middle to create a 6-inch card.  

Cut a piece of white Soft Finish card stock 6-inches square.  Use the ModaScrap Romantic Bouquet die and die cut the design at the top.  Use the Score-Pal and score a line 1/8 inch from the edge, all the way around this square.  

Use the Romantic Bouquet die and die cut the design into a piece of scrap card stock.  This will be used for a stencil. I did not do it, but it will make it easier if you line the top edge of the die up with the top edge of the scrap cardstock.  (The above piece shows the stencil I cut after I used ink to color in the design.)   Cut a piece of white glossy card stock 6-inches square.  Glossy card stock will give a pretty shiny effect under the white Soft Finish cardstock.    Tape the die cut stencil to the top of glossy card stock, using removable tape so you can sponge on color.

Use the Life Saving Brushes (linked below), or sponges, to color in the die cut flowers and leaves.  I used GinaK Designs Dusty Rose and Plum Punch ink for the flowers, and Jelly  Bean Green ink for the leaves.  I love using the Life Saving Brushes because they come in a variety of sizes and make it easy to add color, and blend colors, to any size area.  They are very easy to clean and will not wear out like sponge daubers do.  

Attach the 6x6 inch piece of card stock that was die cut with the Romantic Bouquet die on top of the glossy card stock.  This is the overlay for the sponged design.  Align the two pieces together.  If the outside edges are off a little, just trim with scissors.  Attach this piece to the front of the card.  Use Lemon Drop ink and lightly sponge color on the center of the flower overlay, as shown.  Use a Wink Of Stella Clear Glitter Marker to add shine to the yellow centers.

Use a border embossing folder to emboss the design for the bottom of the card.  I pulled an embossing folder out of my stash and do not know which company it is from.  Line the border with a piece of Elizabeth Craft Designs Rosebud Soft Finish Cardstock.  Attach to the bottom of the card.  White pearls were added across this border and a few added around the Romantic Bouquet.

A piece of the Rosebud Soft Finish Cardstock was cut slightly larger than the card and attach to the back.