Special Reason Spring Bouquet Cards

Hi Stamping Friends!

The spring flowers have been amazing this week here in Indiana!  I was worried that our late cold snap may have damaged the flowering plants and trees, but most are looking better than ever!  My flowering plum tree was practically dead last fall and it is blooming like crazy now.  Last week the streets were lined with white flowering Bradford pear trees, and this week the lovely purple redbud trees have taken their place.  The smell of lilacs is in the air!  Ahhhh…spring is in bloom!

Today's cards are bright & cheery and remind me of a spring bouquet!  We'll be making one of them at my "Last Thursdays" card class coming up in just a few days…

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Every Month We're Making Cards On The "Last Thursday!"

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April's "Last Thursdays" Card Class

Thursday, April 27, 2017, 6:30pm. 

Click To Register By April 26

Bring A New Friend—You Both Select 5 FREE Handmade Cards!

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Special reason bouquet - two cool

Special Reason Spring Bouquet Cards

I love layers and textures on my cards and the soon-to-retire Special Reason makes achieving that look easy!  The recessed flower die-cut is so stunning and gives the card lots of interest and depth.  Unfortunately, although the stamp set is still available, the Special Reason Bundle and the Stylish Stems Framelits are already sold out.  <insert sadface here>  It's just another reminder: Don't wait to get your favorites from the Retired List

Special reason bouquet - peekaboo

Background Basics—We begin this card with some pretty paper from the 2016-2018 In Color Designer Series Paper Stacks.  The Retiring 12×12" Stacks are an awesome value at $22 for 40 sheets and most of the color families are already sold out, but the In Colors and Neutrals are still available right now.

I adhered a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Peekaboo Peach striped pattern paper to an Old Olive card base for the background.  I also added a 4" x 3/4" strip of Old Olive across the middle to give the focal point an anchor.

Special reason bouquet - peekaboo 2

Die-Cut Layer & Sentiment—I used the Stylish Stems Framelits to die-cut the flower window from a 2-3/4" x 4" Whisper White layer first.  I used the Precision Base Plate with the die, and with the help of the Die Brush, the pieces fell right out!  Next, I stamped a Tin of Cards word at the bottom right in Soft Suede ink.  I finished this layer by stamping an Old Olive Special Reason leaf at the bottom of the die-cut window.

Special reason bouquet - peekaboo 3

Recessed Window—I wanted that recessed flower to really pop, so I sponged Peekaboo Peach ink onto a 2-1/2" x 3" piece of Peekaboo Peach cardstock for some rich color that I could place behind the window.  I tried to add more ink to where the center of the flower would be, and less on the outer edges to give it a little depth.  This peach layer was adhered to a 3" x 4-1/4" Old Olive layer.  Next, I added Dimensionals all over the die-cut layer and popped that up over the top.  The entire focal point was mounted on the card front with SNAIL.

Spring Blooms—I die-cut two Old Olive leaves with the Stylish Stems Framelits and attached them to the card with Glue Dots so that they would eventually peek out from behind the flowers.  I completed the bouquet by stamping the small Special Reason flower in Sweet Sugarplum and Flirty Flamingo inks onto Whisper White, then die-cutting those and popping them up with Dimensionals.  So, so pretty! 

Finishing Touches—I added a few floating Pearl Jewels around the bouquet to simulate baby's breath.

Special reason bouquet - sugarplum

Two Cool—For the second version, I started with a Sweet Sugarplum dotted background from the same In Color DSP Stack, mounted onto a Soft Sky card base.  My anchor strip is Night of Navy this time and really adds a striking pop of color!

Special reason bouquet - sugarplum 2

Focal Point Changes—My sentiment is also in Night of Navy.  Since my mat layer was Soft Sky to begin with, I didn't have to add another colored layer underneath the window.  I did add some Soft Sky ink to give it depth.  I finished this bouquet with Wisteria Wonder and Sweet Sugarplum blooms.

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