Sunflowers In Ravenna CI#31

Colour INKspiration is a fortnightly blog initiated by Bronwyn Eastley in Tasmania. The design team is made up of Stampin' Up! demonstrators from all parts of Australia and New Zealand.You are at the blog of Rachel Palmieri, Independent Stampin' Up!® demonstrator. I run classes at my home studio in South Morang, Victoria, share Stampin' Up!® products and tools at parties for my customers, coach my lovely team and create cards and the occasional 3D project.

If this isn't a church in Ravenna, Italy, it reminds me very strongly of it. I believe it was 2011 that my husband and I visited his country of birth, so a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. Another thing that I strongly remember was the field of sunflowers near where we parked - and thus began my infatuation with that flower. Every summer I grow some in my garden for the memories of sunny Italy. This might explain to you how I came to make this card for Monique's inspiration picture.

Because I had a large assignment to make displays for Stampin' Up!® Onstage Sydney (7 April 2018) I didn't think I would have time to make any swaps to take with me. After my Stamparatus was delivered, I began to consider it was a possibility if I worked smarter, not harder. 

1. I wanted to try out the Stamparatus
2. I needed to make multiple identical cards to swap with other demos at Onstage 
3. A project was required for Colour INKspiration using Old Olive, Crushed Curry, Tempting Turquoise & Cajun Craze for 11th April

The planets aligned and all three problems could be addressed at the one time!!!!

You may have not met the Stamparatus yet, but let's just say, my stamp positioning tool by that other company starting with M has been retired. It's compact, small enough to pack for crafting at friends houses and easy to pop in a drawer or on a shelf at home.

Stampin' Up!® have made an informative video.

I used 4 different stamp placements, so both sides of the hinged plates were set up with the stamps in position. There are 2 parts to the flower petals, the centre of the sunflower and the sentiment. I found it best to ink both lots of yellow petals on all cards, and then go back and put in the flower centre, and the sentiment.

The three dot stamp was hand stamped without much of a plan in darker brown (can't remember which one) and quite randomly before cleaning it off and stamping with the turquoise. I think turquoise gives an extra-fresh, clean look.

Partial textured embossing was next job on the list, then adhering to the Tempting Turquoise card. Finally I added the stamped and punched leaves, again using the Painted Harvest set and the Leaf Punch #144667. At only $28 this punch is invaluable for adding some foliage to your favourite stamped flowers.

Enough from me, let's go to see what Narelle Farrugia has shared

PMGJPHEN