Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Ink to Paper February Release Countdown Day 1

Welcome, friends! I'm glad you've joined me for Day 1 of the Ink to Paper February release countdown! Everything is coming up flowers and blossoms today, and I have A LOT to share so make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of today's post! I've created some of my first Easter cards of the year with a few of my favorite color combinations and some festive spring cards as well!

Today the team is featuring a new stamp and die set called "Blossoming Branches" and will be available on February 15th at 10 pm EST! I've paired three of my cards with the new "Border Bling: Skinny Vees die set". This first card uses the smaller of the two borders and the "hello" die that is included in the collection!

The "hello" word is die cut 3 times and adhered together using liquid glue. The top layer has  ombre ink blending using Raspberry Fizz ink going from the bottom up, leaving the top white. The triple stacked word adds extra dimension for greater impact. 

The sentiment, which is included in the new Blossoming Branches stamp set, is heat embossed onto a strip of vellum and wrapped around the entire focal image. I created three cards using the 3 different sentiments included in the set.

I'm still crushing on the previously released Border Bling: Tin Stitch Die and used it in combination with the new Border Bling: Skinny Vees die. I added some Fresh Snow Ink around the edges to give it some soft contrast. 

I die cut the branches and flowers and then used my mini MISTI to do all of the stamping. My next two cards use a single color for the blossoms, but for this one, I decided to create a whimsical branch with my favorite spring pastels!

I arranged them onto the card front using foam squares for added dimension, placing the blooms and leaves in an organic way to make it feel more realistic, despite the kaleidoscope of colors! LOL!

I added some Wink of Stella to the hello word and then layered the entire focal panel to a top folding A2 card base using foam squares. A few sparkling clear sequins finish off this design!

This next design uses the blossoms in a more traditional way, using Cherry blossoms as my inspiration! As I searched for images of real blossoms, I noticed that the leaves on these particular trees have not emerged when the blossoms are present. 

This card uses the 2nd sentiment in the Blossoming Branches stamp set and for this card, I used both the "hello" word die and the embossed sentiment.

This card uses both sizes of the new Border Bling: Skinny Vees. You can see the detail on the larger frame in this photo a little bit better. I also added some Hawaiian Shores ink around the edges of the larger border to give it some added depth.

Before I added the white frame, the branches, and the rest of the design elements, I added some Hawaiian Shores ink splatter to give the card some additional detail and interest.

The blossoms for this card are stamped in Sweet Blush, Pale Peony, and Autumn Rose inks to give them that traditional Cherry blossom feel.

I couldn't resist adding some sequins to this design as well. This was such a fun card to create and I can't wait to send these out in the months to come!

I decided to use some previously released products to bring this design to life! The sentiment was the inspiration for me to use the newly released On the Border: From the Heart Frame die. I dry embossed it rather than die cut it to give it some amazing texture. I read a tip from Kristina Werner to spritz the paper slightly with water before dry embossing as it reduces the cracking of the paper; let me tell you...it WORKS!!

I added one of the new Border Bling: Skinny Vees borders to the outside edge using Lemon Tart cardstock. This set the stage to add in the additional design details. The sentiment fit perfectly into the Banner Builder: Basics die; I just bent it slightly on the acrylic block to give it the necessary curve.
I die cut the banner twice and layered it with foam squares to give it extra dimension. These blossoms are stamped in Pale Peony and Raspberry Fizz inks with black centers. The leaves are stamped using Green Parakeet and New Leaf inks.

I added some Harvest Gold ink blending around the edges to add to the soft feel I was going for and add some extra dimension to the dry embossed panel. 

I arranged the flowers and leaves here and there in a realistic looking arrangement.


My 4th and final card of the day uses the Blossoming Branches once again, but this time it is paired with the new Just Sentiments: Easter! This is such a beautiful sentiment set that will elevate your Easter designs! For this card, I chose to use two of the sentiments together as they work so nicely with each other!

The "He is Risen" sentiment is heat embossed in gold onto a smaller version of the Banner Builder: Basics die. I also bent the stamp slightly to give it the arced look to fit the banner. The scripted sentiment is stamped in black directly below the raised banner.

These blossoms are stamped in Lilac Grace, Winter Wisteria, and Smokey Shadow inks. I love this cool color palette, with the warmth of the leaves and gold embossing!

This card uses both the larger and smaller branches that are included in the stamp set. For these leaves, I stamped the larger leaves in Green Parakeet and New Leaf inks and the smaller leaves are stamped in Spring Moss and Simply Chartreuse ink.

I chose to use two of the pattern papers included in the Lilace Grace Bitty Big pattern paper collection. I chose to use the larger plaid paired with the smaller dots for added detail and interest. This concludes the reveals for Day 1, but don't forget to join me for Day 2 tomorrow! Thanks for fluttering by!

9 comments:

Stephanie Clapper said...

Kelly, today’s post is Beautiful! I’m amazed that you used the same floral stamps to make each card unique and really gorgeous. And I love your dry embossing tip too! Thanks so much for sharing! ✝️💟

Nicole Robinson said...

Your projects are always so gorgeous! I find a lot of inspiration here and would love to be able to Pin your projects to Pinterest to save for later!!

Sue D said...

Very pretty designs with these blossoming branches. I really like the Easter card design.

Emma S. said...

Beautiful. No matter what company you are designing for, they are always knocked out of the park. Always look forward to your inspiration!

Julie said...

spring! so pretty!!

Martha Herrera said...

Kelly, you never disappoint! Your cards are simply gorgeous. I want to frame them and put in my bedroom. Thanks for sharing!

Conniecrafter said...

Oh my so much loveliness, they all just scream spring!!

Connie said...

Fantastic cards, Kelly! Wonderful products!

Nicole Parmentier said...

Love them all!!