Hello everyone! It's almost fall -- my favorite time of year! Although officially a few days away, the weather here in Central Illinois has already turned into the most beautiful, sunny, cool days and crisp nights that beg you to put on a sweater and add an extra blanket to the bed! So, happy fall ya'llmost!
Inspiration for today's card brought to you courtesy of the beautiful Strawflower -- that lovely little annual that dries right in the garden and can be used for so many things -- from fall floral arrangements, wreaths and swags to potpourri!
And here is today's card, complete with a tutorial on how to make SU paper versions of these classic flowers!
To create this beautiful I used three different punches -- the Fun Flower, Blossom and Pansy Punches -- and the Fringe Scissors. Now, funny thing about the Fringe Scissors -- I was so excited to see them in the mini catalog last spring and they were on my first order and then ... they hung on my pedboard until today. Except to try them out when I first got them, this is the first project I've used them for. Shame on me! They are so COOL!
Anyway, to get started you will need to use three different colors of cardstock. For my flowers today I used Cajun Craze, Real Red and Hello Honey. Punch one Blossom Punchie from Real Red, two Fun Flowers from Cajun Craze and one Pansy punchie from Hello Honey.
Using a sponge and Early Espresso Ink (or any dark brown), ink the edges of each flower on both the front and back of the flower.
With the Fringe Scissors, cut into each pedal on the flowers. Don't cut to the tip of the scissors (this will mangle your cardstock in the middle of the flower). Position the flower in about the center of the Fringe blades and cut up to the center edge of each pedal.
When you cut the petals the two Fun Flower Punchies, you will actually cut off the edge of each petal (because of the size and shape of the petals). Don't freak out -- it's OK -- see the photo on the right -- it will look like little "forks" (OK, into my memory bank for a future project -- or else it's time to fix supper -- LOL).
Here's all four flowers after they've been fringed!
Attach the two Fun Flower punchies together with a bit of SNAIL adhesive so that you have fringe all the way around the flower!
Using a Bone folder and holding each petal between your thumb and the Bone Folder, swipe each petal a couple of times to help break down the paper fibers in the cardstock.
Attach the three pieces together, putting the Blossom Punchie on the Bottom, the attached Fun Flower Punchies in the middle and the small Pansy Punchie on top. Continue to "fluff" up all the fringes, using your fingers to "flick" them around or even "brushing" them up using the sponge that you applied the ink with.
If you like, you can add a button in the center of the flower to give it a darker center. Continue "fluffing" the fringe until you achieve the look that like! And that's it -- it's ready to use on your cards or other projects! For this flower on my card, I used the same three colors however I put the Cajun Craze on the bottom (the Blossom Punch) and used Real Red for the two Fun Flower Punchies.
You can see all the supplies for today's project in the thumbnails below -- click on any image to order that item in my online store!
Well, that's it! It really is time to go and fix supper! We're having homemade Chili and Pumpkin Bars for dessert -- how is that for a fall menu, Ya'll!
Until next time, Happy Stamping!
Have you seen the new Baby Bubbles Photo Frame Set? Check it out HERE!
And don't forget, I'm running a special through the end of September for all Kit and Tutorial Purchases -- click HERE for details!
Gretchen, I love your blog and follow regularly. I am totally CASEing this card and flower for my October Stamp Club -- so cute! Thanks for the regular stream of inspiration and cute projects!
Oh wow....you are soooo amazing...will give this a try as it is fabulous...thank you for sharing the tutorial!
Posted by: Carol Carriveau | September 19, 2014 at 12:51 AM
Gretchen, I love your blog and follow regularly. I am totally CASEing this card and flower for my October Stamp Club -- so cute! Thanks for the regular stream of inspiration and cute projects!
Posted by: Dee Tollaksen | September 27, 2014 at 10:39 AM