So Softly Birthday PP189

I decided last night to play another line in Nance's Tic-Tac-Toe challenge at The Paper Players. This time I picked the top line across: Birthday, any punch or die and ribbon or twine. The colours featuring are Pool Party and Coastal Cabana. There's a touch of Crisp Cantaloupe, So Saffron and Pistachio Pudding in the water coloring of a floral image from So Very Grateful, stamped in Stazon. The second size of Deco Labels Collection was used to cut the image out. Originally I cut the size larger in Coastal Cabana too, but it was too large and overwhelming, so I tried the Ruffled Ribbon in the same shade - perfect. The Pool Party embossed layer has used the Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder, so classy!

Even the bow, tied with Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon turned out well. Finally, three Basic Jewels pearls in flower centres and a 'happy birthday' from Sketched Birthday.

Have a fantastic Friday!
Rachel

Roses for a Birthday

Time to make a card for a challenge I think!

I really like this sketch by Steph, at Sunday Stamps you could use it in so many different ways. I chose the 'soon to retire' Elements of Style stamp set along with the lovely and also soon retiring Perfect Punches. I particularly like the birthday greeting from this set, and I have to say that I am more than a little sentimental about Elements of Style as my late mother gave it to me, when she was right into stamping and I was only beginning to dip my toes in. My darling mother grew the most beautiful roses, as did her mother before her, so even the image brings back some warm memories.

I stamped the image with black Stazon onto Stampin' Up! watercolour paper and punched three random squares with the Postage Stamp Punch, before colouring them with shades of pink with Stampin' write markers and a Blender pen. The background has been stamped with the same stamp and Stampin' Up! Illuminate ink, which gives a lovely, pearly effect. As well as using Basic Jewel pearls to trim the tag, I've scattered a few on the background.

Picked 2nd June 3013! Hurray!
Rachel, Elements of Style is one of my fav sets, so you won me over with that, but I also love how you used the floral image and scattered tiny pearls throughout. 

Sunday Stamps #40

I already had a few panels using this Polished Stone technique lying on my work table, because I am preparing some samples for my April classes. You can check out the dates at the top of my blog, just click on "classes".


When I saw this sketch by Tara, I was inspired to use this square piece in pink and yellow shades. I stamped the gorgeous chrysanthemum from Blooming with Kindness in Black Stazon, and then double mounted on So Saffron and Regal Rose. I fiddled quite a bit with the 'midriff' panel, wanting to put ribbon but finally deciding it would be too much, I cut a strip of retired Hostess DSP, Cheerful Treat.

I had edged the So Saffron strip with the lacy Edgelit Finishing touches and dry embossed using the Lacy Brocade folder, released in the Holiday catalogue, but carried over for now, which hopefully means it will be in the new annual catalogue too. Maybe the effect is a bit lost, since it is mostly behind the square.I chose a greeting from the Sweet Essentials stamp set, a lovely clear font with 8 different greetings for all occasions.

Sunday Stamps have this challenge open till Friday March 22nd, pop over to seek inspiration for yourself.

Cheers,
Rachel