I just love when a card comes together!  This is one that I was playing with recently for a secret sister swap and I tried a few new things and just had fun playing with paper – and isn’t that what it is all about?  Having fun and just experimenting with stamps, ink, and paper! And with the Birthday Blooms stamp set, you can do all kinds of experimenting!

So when you see the Birthday Blooms stamp set, it is easy to immediately gravitate towards the large flower and start playing with that.  I mean, it is the biggest image in the box, so your eye wants to head straight there right?

Birthday Blooms (available in Clear mount rubber or wood mount rubber)

But I wanted to do something fun with that row of hearts, and turns out it makes a great background for the card.  Just ink it up with Archival Black ink and stamp directly to your card front.

Worried about even spacing?  Grab some grid paper (the large grid paper placemats are perfect for this) and use the measured gridlines to guide your stamp placement along the way!

Creative layering is not just for paper!

When I started putting together my main image, I kept it simple by stamping the flower and then coloring it in with markers (I used Pear Pizzazz and Hello Honey).  But then I let my layering take over.  From bold mats around the flower, to different shapes (circle and rectangle) to keep it quirky.  Just experiment and you’ll be surprised what works!

And don’t just limit your experiments to paper, I started playing with my ribbon and realized it doesn’t always have to go BEHIND ALL the layers of your image.  Try placing it IN BETWEEN some of the layers for a different look and to let more of the ribbon shine.  Especially when you are using a fun ribbon like this Pool Party Glitter ribbon.

Just start playing and have fun!  That is what this hobby is all about!

Love Techniques?  February Terrific Technique Class is next week – in person or online!

If you missed it, I just started a new technique series last month.  Each month, we’ll explore a new tool or technique.  I’ll be sharing how to do that technique plus multiple variations of the technique so you’ll be not only learning the basics but lots of options and new ideas!

Each month, we’ll make a page in your 2016 Technique Instruction book, plus 2 cards or other projects.  You can join me in person or place an order in my online store and receive the completed instructions page for the book, video tutorials for the technique and their variations, plus the supply kits for the 2 monthly projects.

Want the class to go?

All you have to do is Shop in my Online store and place an order that is $40 or more before tax and shipping using the hostess code TNCXV4MP at check out.  I’ll send you the completed instruction page and project kit plus links to quick video tutorials for each of the techniques and variations!  Easy peasy, and super fun!

Use Hostess Code TNCXV4MP at check out to get a special thank you from me!