Hand-Penned Softness

Hi again!  So glad you stopped by.  It's so close to the new catalog going live that I just had to share another sneak peak.  So if you don't like sneak peaks, better leave now.  I've got a new stamp set, dies, inks and cardstock to share with you.  I do have a teensy retiring ladybug because I just couldn't help myself.  I have a few of these left and I'm sure they will land on a card every once in awhile.  ;)

Isn't this pretty?  And you can easily see why I titled it 'Softness".  These colors are sooooo me!  I love pastels in anything and everything.  Even though these colors are pastel, they still have an intensity to them so they won't get lost in the background.  They kind of say "Look At Me!  Aren't I just gorgeous?!"  Oh, I can't wait to have you play with these colors too!  OK, let's get to the nitty gritty so you know what all these lovely new things are...

The card starts with a base of the new Soft Succulent cardstock cut at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" then folded in half.  Next there is a layer of the gorgeous new Hand-Penned Designer Series Paper.  Just love this soft pink print!  It's cut at 5 1/4" x 4".  I wrapped this a couple times with the retiring Snail Mail Twine in Blushing Bride.  Then tied it off with a little bow at the bottom of the card.  You could use white twine or even the Linen Thread, but I liked how this looked together.  This was all attached to the folded card base with Dimensionals.

Next up was the white layer.  I checked to see if the floral bouquet would fit into the Stitched So Sweetly Dies, and it did.  Perfectly fit in the 2nd to largest die.  I die-cut the Basic White cardstock first then stamped the floral image with Basic Gray ink.  Thought this would be a little softer looking that the crisp black ink.  

After stamping the image with gray ink, the fun really started.  This stamp set has coordinating images that will stamp the color inside the different flowers and leaves.  Oh, I do love 2-step stamping.  It makes it so quick and easy to finish a card when you only need to stamp the colors inside the outline!  For this set, the stamps are not a perfect fit, so it's just stamp and go!   The colors I chose to use are some new, some old.   The leaves are all Soft Succulent, 2 flowers are Blushing Bride, one Highland Heather, and the clusters of small flowers are Pale Papaya.  Don't all those colors looked wonderful together?   After this was completely stamped, it was attached to the card front with Dimensionals also.

The sentiment is from the same set and was stamped with Soft Succulent ink.  This was die-cut using a 'shutter' from the Window Flower Box Dies.  Yeah, I know, this is really not a shutter or any part of a window, but it fit and was fairly plain.  And that's exactly what I was looking for.  The rest of the card has lots of color, texture and shapes going on so I was looking for subtle and that's just what I got.  Don't be afraid to rummage through your dies to find just what you're looking for.  Sometimes it's amazing just what you'll find.  ;)  The sentiment was attached to the card with Dimensionals also.

Here's a final look at the colors used.  And a little look at the cute Ms. Ladybug.  She's attached with a Mini Glue Dot and she's so happy to hang out with these pretty flowers.  So sorry she's retiring, but there are some adorable little golden bees coming, so keep an eye out for those little guys showing up soon.

Thought this pretty field of flowers was the perfect look to go with this card and also to get you thinking of Mother's Day.  Can't believe it's almost here.  Need anything for her that I can get ordered for you?  If you're planning on placing an order this month, please consider choosing me for your demonstrator and using this host code for this month.  I appreciate all of your orders, and I'm already planning what I'll be sending as a thank you at the end of the month.   Have fun creating with all the new goodies Stampin' Up! has to offer.  If you haven't received you new catalog from me and would like one, please contact me and I'll be happy to send one out to you soon.

Love and inky hugs to you!

Sharon