French Foliage Shimmering Poinsettias

This morning, I learned that it was Poinsettia Day!  Didn't know there was such a thing, but…

Happy Poinsettia Day, Everyone!

To celebrate, I decided it was high time that I CASEd a beautiful card that I saw on Gretchen' Barron's Inspiration In Action blog: Amazing Poinsettia. You can see her card shown as a thumbnail to the right.

Not only did I love the design of the card, I loved how she created the poinsettia!  She used one of the leaves from the French Foliage stamp set and arranged them just so, then added some Basic Pearls in the center.  Absolutely beautiful! 

You can see the visuals of how she assembled her flower on her blog: Poinsettia Tutorial.  She used a combination of Regal Rose card stock and Bravo Burgundy ink, but because there are so many variations of poinsettia colors, you could choose several different combinations!

I was having so much fun creating these pretty holiday blooms, that I ended up doing four versions, and even though they look mostly like Gretchen's, each one has something a little different about it!

Supplies Used On Every Card

All cards have petals created by stamping in Cherry Cobbler ink onto Riding Hood Red card stock.  They also all use the Petals-A-Plenty Impressions Folder on the background (because you have to use the poinsettia folder with any poinsettia-featured card, right?).

Iridescent Ice Embossing & Champagne Shimmer Sponging

Before assembling the poinsettia leaves, they were inked with VersaMark, then dipped into Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, and heat-set.  Whoooo—they are very sparkly!  You can see it best in the first photo above, but the camera doesn't really capture all the glittery effect very well. 

I lightly sponged the embossed background with Champagne Shimmer Paint, which sets off the gold highlights in the flower. You can see this effect best in the second photo.

Other supplies: Bright Christmas stamp set, Always Artichoke Seam Binding.  Color Scheme: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, and Very Vanilla.

Iridescent Ice Embossing & Frost Shimmer Sponging

This poinsettia was done the same as the one above with the Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder.

The recessed side of the background was lightly sponged with Frost Shimmer Paint, which gives it a lovely pearlescent sheen.   Very pretty!  You can see it the best in the first photo shown.

Other supplies: Bright Christmas stamp set, Always Artichoke Seam Binding.  Color Scheme: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, and Very Vanilla.

Vanilla Frost Smooch & Frost Shimmer Sponging

Instead of the Iridescent embossing, I spritzed the leaves/petals with the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz for a more subtle, shimmery look.  (click to enlarge photo)

The embossed side of the background was lightly sponged with Frost Shimmer Paint—the white shimmer on white is very wintery looking! 

Other supplies: Peaceful Season stamp set, Old Olive Satin Ribbon.  Color Scheme: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, and Whisper White.

Log Cabin Smooch & Frost Shimmer Sponging

I also tried spritzing the poinsettia with the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz.  I liked the antique gold shimmer of it, but the color of the Spritz was a little too dark for this application.  It gives the flower a rich, brownish-red color (maybe I forgot to water it and it's dying…not sure).  I think it would have looked better with Gold Glow Smooch Spritz, but I didn't have any of that color.  Click to enlarge photo and judge for yourself. 

I used the recessed side of the embossed background and left it unshimmered—<<<this was very difficult for me to do!  I like the simpler look of this one, but it's probably my least favorite. 

Other supplies: Peaceful Season stamp set, Old Olive Satin Ribbon.  Color Scheme: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, and Whisper White.

Which One Do You Like?

So, that's one to keep, and three to give!  (Perfect, since it IS the season of giving!)  But, which one should I keep?  I like them all (well, except that last one)!  Which one is your favorite?  Let me know in the comments section below.

Another French Foliage Poinsettia Example

Gretchen Barron actually CASEd her poinsettia from Connie Babbert's INKspired Treasures blog: French Foliage Poinsettia.  Her card is shown here and features the Top Note die and Jolly Holiday Designer Paper.

Notice that she used another leaf from the French Foliage set for leaves under her flower.  Very nice!

Isn't it awesome how the inspiration flows around the stamping world?!  I appreciate Gretchen, and Connie, and all of the creative stampers who are willing to take the time to share their ideas so others can create them, or be inspired by them, too! 

Angie