Happiness Abounds with Vellum

 Hello Friend!  Back again today with another post comparing and contrasting stamping projects with my sister Connie.  Hope you're not too bored with this type of post showing our two stamping styles using the same products as a starting point.  We really had a great time stamping together last month and I thought you'd enjoy seeing two ideas for each project.  I actually took these with me to Florida planning on posting them while I was down there.  Since we had so many internet connection problems, only one card idea was posted while there.  Now I'm playing catch up with these older project ideas and still trying to get some stamping done that's using some new products too.  So let's get started so I have time to get downstairs and get some playing done too!

This card all started with 'someone's blog post of a similar card using the Happiness Abounds stamp set with White Embossing on Vellum with the coloring on the back.  You'd think I'd know better by now than to forget to write down the post creator's name and blog address for a project I wanted to CASE.  But alas, I did forget and now a month later, I can't find it again!  I'm so sorry that I can't give her credit for a lovely card!!  Anyway, I showed it to Connie when I was there, and we decided to do our own versions of the original card idea.  

The original card had one of the Cup of Tea teacups with the flowers coming out of it.  After I got home, I stamped, colored, and die-cut several teacups, but I couldn't get one I really liked with the flowers.  So I decided to go without.  Here's how I made it...

The card base is Pool Party that's cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored and folded in half.  There's a layer of Bermuda Bay that measures 5 1/4" x 4".  On top of that is a Basic White layer that measures 5 1/8" x 3 7/8".  The white layer was die-cut with the interesting background die in the Blossoming Happiness Die set that coordinates with the Happiness Abounds stamp set.  Love how this die cuts a partial design from the layer!  So delicate and pretty.  After die-cutting, the sentiment was added along the bottom edge.  It's from the Simply Succulents stamp set and was stamped with Bermuda Bay ink.  The two layers were attached together and then attached to the Pool Party card base using adhesive.

Three different flowers and two different leaves were all stamped on Vellum with VersaMark ink then sprinkled with White Embossing Powder.  They were heat set with the Heat Tool then colored.  Stampin' Blends were used to color on the back side of each one.  Colors used are Flirty Flamingo, Pale Papaya, Highland Heather, and Granny Apple Green.  When coloring, I colored out of the lines on each one so after die-cutting them, the color showed on the edges, not white.  Each of the pieces were die-cut with the matching dies so it was easy peasy!  They were attached to the card front using Dimensionals in the middle of the two larger flowers and Mini Glue Dots behind the rest, tucking them in around the larger flowers.  Three of the retired Polished Dots were added to the design.  (Sorry about the retired gems.  Thought they were still current!  I'm sure having trouble remembering what is current and what isn't.) Can you see how the die-cut background peeks through the vellum flowers?  Just love that look!

Here's Connie's version of the card.  She used a darker mix of Stampin' Blends for her flowers and a different green too for a bolder color look.  Plus she chose to use a different mix of flowers from the set.  Don't those changes make a really different look?  Don't be afraid to try different color mixes!  We just used what we preferred.  

She also had a retired teacup and saucer that she used.  It was colored very softly with Pool Party Blends to keep with the color scheme.

So, there you have it.  Another compare and contrast version of a card that Connie and I both put our own spin on.  Hope you like the idea of heat embossing on vellum and coloring on the back to get a real pretty and delicate look.  It takes another step or two, but it's well worth it when you see the finished piece.

Thanks for checking in again today.  If you're planning on placing an order, please consider using the Host Code shown in the top right corner on my blog post.  And don't forget that Sale-a-Bration is in full swing right now.  For every $50 order, you can choose from several items to receive free.  And for a $100 order, there are some really great choices too!  Make sure you check out the Sale-a-Bration brochure before you order so you don't miss out on any of these goodies!

Happy stamping and creating!

Sharon