Tutorial for Creating Roses Using Punches

When I  posted a card with a rose and rose bud a few days ago, a lot of you told me you would love to have a tutorial on how to create them.  Before I get started with the tutorial I want to let you know which products I used on this card.  This is a 5.5"x6" card.  I embossed the background with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder and then used the new Cheery Lynn "French Lattice Small" (FRM 132) frame. I love the delicate look when using this new frame.  The pretty flourish in the upper right corner is the new Memory Box "Quinn Flourish" (98267).  The sentiment was stamped and die cut using the smallest Spellbinders scallop heart.  The edges were pieced and sponged with Spun Sugar Distress Ink.  The pretty border along the bottom of the card is the new Memory Box "Pepita Border" (98256).  The green flourish is the Heartfelt Creations "Bella Rose Flourish".  I love to use this die cut flourish with all my roses.  The leaves were die cut using the Spellbinders "Rose Leaves" die.  I have created a tutorial for both the Rose in full bloom and one for the Rose buds.  I took a total of 71 pictures while creating these roses and have used only the ones I felt are most important to show you the steps I took.  Since there are so many pictures, (not all 71) I will be posting the tutorial for the Rose Buds tomorrow.

TUTORIAL FOR CREATING A ROSE IN FULL BLOOM  

Before I begin I want to apologize for having such a messy black shaping mat.  I have made thousands of flowers on it and it is about wore out.  I ordered a new mat so next time I make a tutorial for you it won't be so messy looking.  In the picture above are the supplies I used to create the large rose.  The punches used are the Punch Bunch Super Giant Begonia Petals and a six point snowflake.The card stock I used is light weight.  Joan's Gardens carries a large selection of card stock variety packs that are just perfect for creating these flowers - you can see the colors here.    I have punched a stack of petals and for this rose used the largest pink petals.  I will use the smaller petals for different size roses and rose buds. The green petals will be used on the buds.  I always use the tools from the Flower Tool Kit  which are laying on the black shaping mat. The tools come in the box on the left side of the picture. The glue I used for this rose is the "Art Institute Adhesive".  I also like to use the DG3 Art Gel but it is clear and wouldn't show up as well in this tutorial.   All these products can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.

The number of petals you use will depend on the fullness you want in your rose.  For this tutorial I used 18 petals for the open part of the rose plus three more for the closed center.  All the petals were conditioned with the white shaping tool from the Flower Tool Kit.  You go around in circles with this tool until the petals "cups" up.

Next, use the self closing tweezers and curl the edges back on some of the petals to resemble a real rose petal.  Place the tweezers on the very edge and curl under.

With part of the petals you can use the largest stylus and rub around the edges to curl them back.  Also use the tweezers to crease the bottom portion of the petal pulling both sides up (on front side)  to further cup the petal.

Use the punched snowflake for the base of the rose.  Use the large white tool to cup it.  Add glue to every other point as shown above.  I always work on my Craft Mat because it is so easy to clean with a baby wipe.  Joan has the most fabulous "Stay Put Craft Mats" that will not roll on the edges.  It is very large and great for working on when using glue or other products that can be messy.

Add the pointed end of the petals to the glued green points. 

 Add glue to the other three points.

Add three more petals. The petals should overlap. Your first row will look like this.  I created two sections like this.  A third row was completed but the petals were cupped up to begin the closed shape of the rose.  There is a picture below showing all the layers.

When the glue is dry, place each layer on the black shaping mat and use the pointed end of the white tool and press down around the center to fluff up the petals.

Here is what the bottom of  each the three layers will look like.  As you can see the snowflake holds the six petals.  

I used three petals to create the center of the rose.  For the very center, the "pointed" end of the petal will be at the top and was rolled around the self closing tweezers to form a tight point.  Put glue around the bottom of the petal to help keep it closed.  

The next two petals glued to the very center will be added with the point down.  Add glue to the pointed end and twist it around the first rolled petal.  Then do the same thing with the third petal placing the middle of the petal over the end of the last petal.  You want the petals alternated to look realistic. 

When you have all the layers completed you used have these four sections.  You an see the "cupped" section in the lower left corner.  Notice how the outer petals of the center section are slightly flared out.  When placing that center section in the middle of the rose, you may have to trim off the very bottom to acquire the height you want.  

Use glue to attach the two "open" layers together.  Use the stylus to press and hold these sections until they have time to stick together - about 10 seconds.  Place these sections on the black shaping mat and press down in the center with the stylus to help curl up the petals.  

Add the "cupped" section just as you did the first two layers.  When you press the flower down in the shaping mat while the petals are still wet with glue, it helps them to curl up and give you that realistic shape.  Hold down for a few seconds to help hold the shape. You want to be sure and use the largest stylus in the kit.  If you use one that is too small, you might punch a hole through the center and not get a very good shaping.

Put a little pool of glue down in the center of the rose and press in the center rolled section you created.  You will end up with a rose similar to this.  Every rose will turn out slightly different.  I have made lots of roses and I don't think any two turned out exactly the same. Making roses is a little time consuming but so worth the effort. Once you have learned the steps and completed your first rose, you will find each one thereafter will be very easy.

As I create more and more roses, I have finally come up with my own way to create them.  I have never seen a tutorial or any directions on how to create the type of rose bud I make.  I will be back tomorrow with a tutorial on how to create my style rose bud.

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Joan's Weekly Challenge

It is time for a new challenge at Joan's Gardens.  One of the most popular dies recently has been the Poppy Stamps Madison Window dies.  I am so excited about the new Heartfelt Creations Collection this month because not only are the stamps beautiful with the new Decorative Chateau Gate  dies in this collection but most all the scenic stamps work well with the Madison window.  Don't you love it when you can get lots of uses out of your purchases!  You are not required to use this window die in our challenge this week; you can create a card using any window stamp, die or any creative window idea you design, to create a window scene - we love to see your creativity. 

This week for our chalelnge we would like for you to create a window scene.  You can get all the information about the challenge at Joan's Gardens.   I used the Grand Madison Window and found a fantastic way to color it.  After die cutting it, I used the Tim Holtz "Walnut" Distress Stain.  I love how these bottles have a sponge on the end and you just swipe it across for nice even coverage.  These stains come in all the Distress Inks colors so you have a great variety of choices.  

I stamped one of the scenes from the Heartfelt Creations "Scenic Vista PreCut Set" (HCPC 344) on watercolor paper and used the Distress Reinkers to color it.  There are three scenes to choose from in this set.  The window was attached with dimensional dots over the scene.  The design paper I used is from the Kaiser Craft "Blae & Ivy" paper pad.  It has a shiny design in the paper.  I found out when you stamp on this paper you need to clear emboss it or else the ink will smear all over.  The sentiment I used is from the Heartfelt creations "Door To My Heart PreCut Set" (HCPC 3449).  This sentiment reads "Home is where the heart is".

The flourish I used on the left side of the card is the Memory Box "Amira Flourish" (98183).  The pretty vase of flowers is from the Heartfelt Creations "Doorway Trimmings PreCut Set" (HCPC 3446).  There are two bouquets, a topiary tree and another scene in this set.  The image was cut out using scissors and attached with a piece of dimensional tape. Tiny yellow beads were glued to the center of each of the flowers.

I hope you will join us this week in our Challenge at Joan's Gardens.  We love to see your cards.  Be sure to go over to Joan's Blog to read all the details and see what the prize is this week.

As you know, all the products I use can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.  Be sure to check out the "I Want It All" price on the entire collection from  Heartfelt Creations to save money - of course you can purchase individual sets.

If you haven't signed up for my Blog Candy for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate to Joan's Gardens, just click on the link on my side bar.

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Celebrating 400,000 Visits to my Blog

Would you like to win some Blog Candy?   It hasn't been quite three years since I started my blog to share my work with you, and notice I will soon have 400,000 visits to my blog and now have 554 Followers from 152 Countries.  I want to thank each of you for all your visits and comments letting me know you are really out there and enjoy my work. I love designing for Joan's Gardens and having the opportunity to give you lots of inspiration for using the products you purchase from her.   You always make my day.  I receive lots of comments from you stating you are putting lots of the dies and other products I use from Joan on your Wish List.  I thought instead of giving you products, that you might enjoy receiving a $25 Gift Certificate so you can go shopping at Joan's Gardens and pick out some of the items you have really been wanting.  I am going to leave this post open for one week and will choose a lucky Follower from comments left on this post.  It will be done by a  random drawing, so everyone leaving a comment on this post will have a chance to win.  I would love for you to leave me a comment telling me what your favorite products are from Joan's Gardens and what type of post gives you the most inspiration to start creating.

Thanks for helping me celebrate!

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Sophia's Heart Doily with Roses

As promised yesterday, I designed a card using that beautiful new Cheery Lynn die "Sophia's Heart" (DL184) doily. I used the entire doily for this card.  It is such a gorgeous die and I thought it would look great with roses for an embellishment.  

Here is a closeup picture showing the rose in full bloom, a rose just opening and a rose bud.  I was so excited to figure out how to create all these roses using only the Punch Bunch "Super Giant Begonia Petals" punch.  The rose bud looks so realistic. Would you like for me to do a tutorial on how I created these roses?  If I get a lot of you wanting this tutorial I will do it for you.

This is a 5.5" x 6" card.  The background behind the doily was embossed with the Cuttlebug "Love Language" embossing folder.  The Sophia's Heart Doily was attached in the middle of the card.  The embellishments behind the roses are the Heartfelt Creations Bella Rose Flourish.  It was die cut using white card stock and just the leaves were sponged green.  The two leafy embellishments are from the Marianne Design (LR0 192) set.  I used to use a lot of the Martha Stewart punched branches but I now like to use these Marianne die cuts to fill in areas around flowers.  You can use them "whole" or cut them in smaller pieces and tuck them in around flowers.  

Pearls were added in the center of the little hearts in the doily and in the upper corners to finish the card.  There is room to tuck in a little sentiment when I get ready to send this card to someone special.  By the way, I wanted to let you know that I sent Joan a card in one of the clear boxes I told you about last week. I put the card in the box and placed a piece of computer in the box behind  the card.  I placed the label on the backside of the clear box.  I did put shipping tape along the seam on both ends to be sure the box didn't come open.  I took it to the post office and the postage was $1.71 going from Washington to Indiana.  Joan received the card today and the box was not hurt (smashed) at all.  She told me it was a beautiful way to receive a card that you can see before even opening the package.  I know now that I don't even have to put these clear boxes in a padded envelope like I have done in the past.  If you have very dimensional cards, you would like to mail to someone special, I highly recommend using these boxes.  

Here are pictures of some of the products I used today:

 On the left side of this picture are the two Marianne Design leaves (LR0 192) and on the right is the beautiful Heartfelt Creations Bella Rose Flourish.

 This is the new Cheery Lynn "Sophia's Heart" doily (DL 184)

This is the Super Giant Begonia Petals punch used for all the petals and the greenery around the rose buds.

You can order all the products I used on my card today, plus the clear boxes, from Joan's Gardens.  In case you haven't seen them, Joan has put two new Memory Box videos on her blog that I'm sure you will enjoy watching.

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Lots of Ideas From One Gorgeous Die

 This doesn't look like a card, does it! Well I love this new Cheery Lynn "Sophia's Heart" (DL184) doily die so much I hated to cover it up with embellishments.  Not only are there intricate cuts in this doily but also a lot of piercing.  The picture doesn't do it justice!  It really is gorgeous!  I am going to design a card with it later today, but first wanted to show you some different possibilities you an create by cutting different parts out of this doily.   I  used several of these dollies so I could show you some of the new "dollies" I created out of this beautiful die.

 

 Here are the different doilies I cut out so far.  I can see other possibilities.  Joan Gardens has all the new Cheery Lynn dies posted on her blog with a video from Cheery Lynn.  I think you will get a lot of helpful information by watching this video.  Here is the direct link to the video and all the new Cheery Lynn dies at Joan's Gardens.

I'll be back later today with a card I design using this gorgeous die.

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New Poppy Stamps and Cheery Lynn Dies

 

THIS IS MY SECOND POST TODAY.  To see the box I created using the New Cheery Lynn Dies, please scroll down to the next post.

This card was designed using a few more new dies I received from Joan's Gardens.  The window is the Poppy Stamps "Small Madison Window" die (816).  The flower box at the base of the window is a new Poppy Stamps die called "Small Flower Box" (823) designed to fit the bottom of the the window frame.  The cute little flowers in the flower box were die cut using the Poppy Stamps "Wildflower Patch" (820).  The little flowers all cut separately when die cut.  I cut them out using green card stock, first, for the base flower which would be the stems and leaves.  The die was used again using purple and pink card stock so I could have colored flowers.  The flowers were cut off the stems, shaped and attached to the green die cut.  If you wanted to, you could just die cut the flowers using white card stock and color the stems and leaves green and the flowers whatever color you want using a marker.  

The green vine was cut using the new Poppy Stamps "Ivy Tendrils" (822).  I die cut three of them and glued one to the front of the window box, then attached the other two behind the flowers.  The window box was attached with dimensional dots.  Behind the window die cut, I added a piece of the Cheery Lynn "Anastasia Border" (B136) to create curtains inside the window.  A piece of card stock was cut to fit behind the window and it was sponged with Distress Ink.  

The design paper is from Basic Grey.  The pretty border is one of the new Cheery Lynn dies just released called "Country Girl" (B157).  You can use ribbon through the openings but I decided to add a piece of card stock behind the middle section.  There are very pretty little pierced flowers on this border and I didn't want to cover any of them up.  The butterfly is one of the Cheery Lynn 'Mini Butterflies" (DL 112)  In the top corners I added two Spellbinders corners.  The sentiment and pretty frame around it are from the JustRite "Friendship Blooms" stamp set.  The frame was stamped and cut out with with scissors.  The sentiment was stamped and die cut using a Spellbinders petite scalloped circle.  A marker was used to add the dots around it.

Be sure to go over to Joan's Gardens to see all the new dies Joan has added to her store.  It is so fun to create cards with dies and she has a great variety to choose from.

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New dies from Cheery Lynn

 

It is time for the new release of Cheery Lynn Dies.  You can see ALL the new dies over at Joan's Gardens. Today I decided to create a box to show off the pretty new "Cuties" flowers and the beautiful new "French Lattice Small Frame".  Here is a list of all the products I used to create this box:  Sizzix Cake Box die; Cheery Lynn dies: "Cuties 4" (B156); "French Pastry Doily" (DL102); "Italian Flourish" (DL103); "Tropical Flourish" (B127); Stacker Flowers (leaves) #1" (SF-1); "Olive Branch" (B147); "French Lattice Small Frame" (FRM132); "Mini Butterfly" (DL112).

I started out by creating the box with the Sizzix Cake Box die. This is a perfect little box to add some delicious chocolates for someone special or for a small gift.  I used a spray glue to attach design paper to Tim Holtz Grunge Paper.  This paper works really great for this box because there are little lines cut in the body of the box, to help it bend around into a circle, and the Grunge Paper is very sturdy but also very pliable.  On top of the lid I attached the Cheery Lynn "Italian Flourish" to add a pretty background for the flowers.  I love these new Cheery Lynn flowers created with the "Cuties 4" die.  This die creates a larger flower than the other "Cuties" flower dies so is a great addition to this collection. To create this flower I conditioned the strip with tools from the Flower Tool Kit then glued two strips together, alternating the petals.  Then you just roll it up and pull down each of the petals.  A very quick and easy way to create a pretty flower.   A variety of Cheery Lynn leaves and flourish were die cut and added under the flowers. For the sides of the box I die cut two of the new "French Lattice Small Frames" and trimmed them to fit the side (height) of the box.  It took two of these frames to go around the box.  I used liquid glue on the lattice to attach it to the sides of the box.  The "French Pastry Doily" was die cut using the design paper used on the body of the box and attached to the bottom of the box. 

You can purchase all the new Cheery Lynn dies and the Sizzix Cake Box die from Joan's Gardens.     

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Love Birds

Today I have a card created with a few more new dies available from Joan's Gardens.  This is a 5.5"x6" card.  The design paper is from the "Echo Park Paper Co" Dots & Stripes 6x6 Paper Pad.  I love polka dot and striped paper and these pads are loaded with lots of great colors.  


The new Marianne die I used in the center of the card is the "Winter Birds" (LR0186)  die cut.  I think it is a beautiful die to use for a Valentine.  The frame I placed under the birds is the Cheery Lynn "Sweetheart Frame" (FRM127).   I did not want the strips to show through the die cuts so I cut a square of pink card stock and embossed it with the Cuttlebug "Musical Flourish" embossing folder.  The border under the square is the Cheery Lynn "Lace Edger" (B153) border.  On the corners of the card I dug out a very old corner punch and cut the punched corners off and attached them to this card.  To embellish this card I used lots of Kaiser Craft pearls.  I originally had a bow above the heart but felt it took away from these beautiful dies, so I removed it.  


I added the Sizzix "Small Easel" to the back of this card.  I know the person who will be receiving this card will put it on display. Below is a picture of the easel on the back of the card.  I love how easy it is to die cut this easel.  To attach it to the card you just need to add adhesive down one side.  The little tab that is holding the easel open folds flat when you want to mail the card.  I have been putting this easel on the back of cards that I want to display in my crafting room.  Joan Gardens does have these in stock.

All the the products I use can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.  

Have a wonderful weekend. Joan is going to posting some beautiful new dies next week so I will be busy creating some samples for you.  I love working with dies!

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Joan's Gardens Weekly Challenge #2

 Are you ready for another challenge?  This week the challenge at Joan's Gardens is to create a Valentine using non-traditional colors.  I have used a piece of Graphic 45 design paper (Le Romantique) that has peach roses in it.  I'm not sure if this paper is still available but you can ask Joan.  I created a dimensional rose by using the Punch a Bunch "Super Giant Begonia Petals" punch to coordinate with the design paper.   Behind the top of the rose, I added one of the Marianne Design "leaves" (LR0192).  There are three leaves in this package and I love to use them with all my flowers.   I used a Spellbinders die for the green leaves.   

Another requirement in this challenge is to use some kind of lace.  I used the beautiful Cheery Lynn "Nautical Wheeler Doily" (DL180)  under the rose.  This is such a lacy doily and looks beautiful under the rose.  I cut the doily in half and used it above the band on the card.  Across the center I used a coordinating piece of design paper from the Graphic 45 pad for the band.  Over the band I add the pretty heart border from Cheery Lynn "Tangled Hearts" (B143).  The pretty heart is one of the new Cheery Lynn "Two of Hearts" (DL128).  I used the largest heart in this package and stamped the sentiment, which is from the retired , JustRite "Romantic Sentiments" stamp set.  The sentiment reads "You hold the Key to my Heart".  I used this sentiment because I wanted to use the beautiful Marianne Designs "Key" (LR0193).   I really love all the dies you can now purchase from Joan's Gardens.  They make it so fun to create beautiful quick and easy cards.  

I want to thank all of you that have been entering our weekly challenge.  Joan and I love to see your beautiful cards.  Maybe you will be the lucky winner from this challenge, determined by a random drawing to win a prize from Joan's Gardens. Remember, the winners of each of the weekly challenges will be entered into the drawing for the $100 gift certificate that will be awarded at the end of the year. 

Please go over to Joan's Garden's to read all the information about this week's challenge. 

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Heartfelt Creations Chateau Gate Collection

It is time for the new Heartfelt Creations Release "Chateau Gate Collection".  This collection features 9 PreCut stamp sets and one beautiful new, exclusive, Spellbinders die designed for this collection.  This collection is very versatile and you will be able to create projects for the men in your life, invitations, graduations, love, congratulations and much more.  Be sure to go over to Joan's Gardens to see the entire collection.  If you fall in love with this collection, Joan is offering a great savings on the "I Want It All" package.

Today I am posting two cards, a feminine and a masculine card, created with these new stamps.  The feminine card was created using one of the new, beautiful gate dies.  It was cut out using white card stock then scored down each of the sides of the opening, using the ScorBuddy so the panels will open easily.  The background was embossed with the Cuttlebug "Musical Flourish" embossing folder.  Spellbinders corners were die cut and added to each corner.  Small oblong pearls were added to the door panels for knobs.  In the top corner, an arrangement was created using the Heartfelt Creations "Carnation Florals 2 PreCut Set" (HCPC 3438).  Under the arrangement I placed one of the Marianne (LR0192) leaves plus the leaves from the Marianne (LR0117).  The scene behind the open panels is from the  Heartfelt Creations "Scenic Vista PreCut Set" (HCPC 3444).  

On the inside you can see the stamped "Scenic Vista" image.  It was colored with Copic markers.  In order for you to see this image from the front, I die cut two of the gates - one for the outside and one for the inside of the card.  The panels were cut off the one die cut, to be used for the inside, and I used that one as a template in order to cut the opening in the top of the card.  By attaching the second gate on the inside, it created a finished look to the opening.  

This is a closeup of the stamped image.  The sentiment is from one of the new stamp sets in this collection called "Door to My Heart PreCut Set" (HCPC 3449).

This is the masculine card I designed using the "Chateau Gateway PreCut Set" (HCPC 3441) and "Mystic Hideaway PreCut Set" (HCPC 3445).  I began by stamping the "Chateau Gateway" image on white card stock.  I cut the wooden door out of this image using a craft knife then colored it using Distress inks.  Next the "Mystic Hideaway" was stamped on clear card stock and again on white card stock.  The reason I did this was so I could put the vine over the gateway entrance and have the scene behind the gateway - the vine is part of this stamped image. Only the vine was colored on the clear card stock and the entire scene colored on the white card stock.  The clear card stock was attached over the "Chateau Gateway" around the outside edges using ScorTape, placing the vine around the gate opening.  The same adhesive was placed around the edges of the scene on card stock and was placed behind the Gateway matching up the design on the clear card stock.  To create a frame, I used brown card stock and embossed it with the Cuttlebug "Heritage" embossing folder.  The corners are from Marianne Designs.  This panel was attached to a white card.

Like I mentioned earlier, there are 9 beautiful stamp sets, one being a set of sentiments, in this new Heartfelt Creations collection, plus new matching Spellbinder dies.  Be sure to go over to Joan's Gardens to see the entire collection where you can also place your order. 

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Sympathy Card

 Some close friends of ours had a death in the family and this is the sympathy card I am sending.  The card is dimensional and I don't want it to get flattened out in the mail.  I get a lot of questions about the best way to mail dimensional cards so want to show you a great way to to protect them.   Below is a picture of this card in a clear acrylic box you can purchase from Joan's Gardens.  These boxes come in different sizes.  My card is 5.5" x 6" and I have placed it in a 6" square box.  Each end of the box is sealed with a round sticker to prevent the box from coming open.  I think you could put a label on this box and mail it, but I am going to place it in a padded envelope.

If you are interested in purchasing some of these clear boxes for sending your cards, please contact Joan at Joan's Gardens.

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