Hello friends! I'm so happy that July is almost here. That means all the wonderful new items that are in the Online Exclusive store will be available to everyone! This new grouping of online only products includes some of my very favorite new stamp and dies sets. One especially favorite of mine is the Framed Violets bundle. I've shared an idea or two already and today I've got two more cards to share with you. For these two cards, I used the same stamps and dies, the same Violet Dreams Designer Series Paper, and the same layout. The changes are all in the colors and DSP prints that I've used for the cards, so they are similar but still different enough to enjoy the looks. Tell me which one is your favorite, and we'll see if I agree. We'll start with the first one I made.
This card started with the pretty Violet Dreams DSP in the pale Hydrangea Hue diagonal stripe. I thought this would make up into a sweet "girlie" card. I cut a piece 3 7/8" x 5 1/8" to get me started.
It needed a skinny frame of Hydrangea Hue cardstock to make it pop. This measures 5 1/4" x 4". From this piece, I die-cut a fancy layer from the center using the 2nd largest die in the Sweet Words & Labels Dies set. I had already used the scalloped stamp and dies that came with the Framed Violets set, but again I wanted something just a bit fancier for this card. After die-cutting, this layer was set aside for use later.
The striped DSP needed a little something added. So a Stampin' Blends in Hydrangea Hue was used to spatter it a little near the top and bottom of this piece. The DSP was then attached to the Hydrangea Hue layer with adhesive and then to the folded Basic White cardstock card base.
I raided my stash of retired border punches to make the pretty lacy looking band across the card. I wanted to add something quite feminine looking to the design. This was attached with adhesive also.
Moving on to the focal point on the card, I stamped the little violet bouquet with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto a piece of Basic White cardstock. The images were colored in with Stampin' Blends:
Flower petals - Hydrangea Hue Light & Dark
Leaves & stems - Peaceful Pine Light & Dark with touches of Color Lifter used as highlights
After coloring, the violets were die-cut using the matching dies.
Two different fern dies from the Fern & Flora bundle were used to die-cut ferns from Peaceful Pine cardstock for accent pieces. I like how the darker color really highlights the lighter violets.
A Basic White layer to ground the pieces was cut using the 3rd largest die in the Sweet Words & Labels Dies. This added a pretty layer with stitching details to the design. This was attached to the Hydrangea Hue layer with adhesive.
First the two ferns were attached to the white layer using adhesive. Then the violets were attached on top of these. The stems have adhesive, but each of the flowers have a Mini Glue Dot behind it to give it more depth.
The focal layers were attached to the card front using Dimensionals. Did you notice there is no sentiment? I haven't decided how this card will be used yet, so for now there is no sentiment and the inside is bare.
To finish the design, I added a fairly large bow using two strands of white Baker's Twine. It's still fairly subtle and doesn't demand too much attention. This was added to the violet stems with a rolled up Mini Glue Dot to hold in place.
I debated about adding some sort of bling and I tried several that I had on hand. I didn't think any of them really enhanced this design to any degree. Hence, there is no added embellishment to this card. Was that the right decision? What would you have added?
I challenged myself to make another card with these parameters - same set, same DSP pack, same dies. This next card really came together fast since most of my choices were already made.
The first thing I did for this card design was pick the DSP print again. Using the darker print changed the whole feel of the card and I needed darker colors to coordinate with it.
To match the print, the card base is Highland Heather this time. The DSP print is attached to this using adhesive.
The same dies from the Sweet Words & Labels set were used. The 2nd largest cut the Highland Heather cardstock and the 3rd largest cut the Basic White cardstock.
A texture background stamp in the Framed Violets set was used to stamp Bubble Bath ink onto the center of the white layer. You can barely see it, but I think it made a big difference.
The two layers were attached together with adhesive. Then they were attached to the card front with Dimensionals.
Again, the violet bouquet was stamped on Basic White cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. For coloring this time, I went with Stampin' Blends again:
Flower petals - Highland Heather Light & Dark
Leaves and stems - Peaceful Pine Light & Dark
For this design, I tried to match the coloring on the DSP for the leaves. They are quite a bit darker than in my first design even though the same color was used. It just depends on how much of the Dark was used.
The sentiment comes from the Phrases & Frames stamp set. The words are stamped with Gorgeous Grape ink onto a 3/4" strip of Basic White. The ends were trimmed into flags. The stems of the violets were attached to the back of the sentiment. Then all of this was attached to the white layer using Dimensionals.
A retired sheer Highland Heather ribbon was selected as an accent here. It's tied into a small bow and attached with Mini Glue Dots.
Several white Shimmering Dots were scattered onto the card for a bit of bling. This card seemed to need just an extra bit of brightness to the design.
I totally forgot to take a photo of the inside. Oops! The matching anniversary sentiment from the Phrases & Frames set was stamped with Gorgeous Grape ink. The single violet in the Framed Violets set was stamped in the bottom corner using Highland Heather ink as an accent.
And there you have it. I think I accomplished my goal of using pretty much all the same products and layout but still changing the look of the finished cards. Do you like them? And which look do you prefer - pastel or brighter? Surprisingly, I would have to say I love the boldness of the second card which really doesn't sound like me at all. I love them both, but for some reason the boldness of the second one just appeals to me today. What do you think?
Either way, you can get this awesome suite of products starting July 1st. Yay! I think these are all really gorgeous items that you'll love using. And with the beginning of a new month, that means a new Product of the Month will be available too. I can't wait to see what it is and see what I can do with it.
Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you love these violets as much as I do. They are just so simple and sweet and make me think more Victorian thoughts here. Of course, we had a lovely crop of violets to enjoy this spring in our backyard. (My hubby wasn't happy, but...) I don't remember these in the yard back in Michigan, so I really enjoyed them before it got so incredibly hot.
Oh, before I forget - I think this will be my last update on our blueberry crop. From starting with two plus pints each picking, we're down to maybe 3/4 cup the last time I picked. Looks like it's not worth the effort to pick anymore this season and the birds and squirrels can dine on the rest. But we've got plenty for cobblers, muffins, and much more tucked away in the freezer that we'll enjoy all winter long.
Happy stamping and creating,
Sharon
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