Bloom & Grow is a stamp set in the Stampin’ Up! annual catalog that has gorgeous floral sprays, bold sentiments, and you can also get matching dies. The amazing thing about this set is that it can work well for any stamper no matter where you are in your crafting journey. I have four projects for you today each one a little bit more advanced than the last and all of them beautiful. I’ll walk you through how I created each one.
Simple Start
Paper, ink, and stamps. That’s all you need for this card. And some way to cut the paper. I started with a half sheet of Thick Whisper White card stock and scored it down the middle. The thicker paper gives this clean and simple design some weight to it. I used two colors of ink, Highland Heather and Gorgeous Grape, but the same “two color” effect could be achieved by using second generation, or stamping off, the floral images. I used a 1-1/2″ strip of scrap paper to create the white space for the sentiment. Then I stamped the largest floral spray in the set on top and on the bottom of the masking strip, so the image cuts off. I removed the mask and stamped the sentiment. That simple for a beautiful card.
Paper Pumpkin Alternate
If you’re a Paper Pumpkin subscriber, you have lots of material to work with already, but may not feel confident in making alternates with the cards. This one is slightly more advanced than the simple starter but not by much and you can make it even simpler than I did. I used the stamp from the kit on one of the postcards and heat embossed several images with silver embossing powder. A dark color ink (Night of Navy, Gorgeous Grape, Black) would work well too for the firework images. I heat embossed the sentiment from Bloom & Grow with black embossing powder. Again, black ink would be just fine. I added some epoxy embellishments for a final touch. The card base is Night of Navy, but Whisper White would work just as well. This would be a great card for a man’s birthday. One bold sentiment can create a dramatic card with little effort.
Avid Crafter Card
This card is the next level of crafter. It uses a label punch, ribbon from my stash, and Stamp n’ Write markers in Purple Posy, Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape, and Just Jade. I started with a layer of Purple Posy card stock to coordinate with the marker I was going to use. I cut a layer of Whisper White 4″ x 5-1/4″ and stamped one of the floral stamps all over the paper, rotating the image and making sure it stamped off the edges, using Staz-On black ink. When working with the markers, it’s better to use Staz-On because then the image won’t smear when you color it in. Notice my coloring isn’t perfect. It doesn’t have to be to make a pretty card. Flowers have variations in their color. And it’s a handmade card. Enjoy the process and just relax.
The card doesn’t need much more with such pretty handmade designer paper, but I had some Gorgeous Grape striped ribbon in my stash so I added two strips before I adhered my stamped card to the base. There are several ribbons in the catalog that would work just as well with this color combination, or create your own color scheme that works with your ribbons. The sentiment from Bloom & Grow is stamped in Highland Heather and punched out with the Everyday Label punch. Lastly, I added two rhinestones to the sentiment and popped it up on Dimensionals for some interest.
Advanced Card
This card takes advantage of the matching die set that is available. I also used multiple colors of card stock and ink as well as Stampin’ Blends. But, I started with a base of Heavy Whisper White. Not only is the heavy good for basic cards, but it’s also really helpful when you plan on adding a lot of layers. Which I like to do.
The next layer is Purple Posy card stock cut to 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″ and stamped all over in Highland Heather ink with the smaller spray of flowers. Over this, I added a layer of vellum cut to 4″ x 5-1/4″. I like the frosted quality it gives to the stamped background. Next, I stamped the floral spray four times on Whisper White card stock and several of the single flower and leaf images. Using Magenta Madness, Highland Heather, Purple Posy, Daffodil Delight, and Just Jade Stampin Blends, I colored the images in. I always cut more than I need when I do a card like this so that I have plenty to work with. Like a florist, I add pieces until the display is to my liking, knowing I’ll use the leftovers on something else. When you’re going to color with Stampin’ Blends be sure to use the Memento Tuxedo Black or other ink that won’t smear with alcohol-based ink.
Next, I set all those aside and worked on the sentiment banner. It’s Whisper White stamped in Magenta Madness. I added to strips of Highland Heather card stock cut with the edging dies. I glued those to the back of the Whisper White and set it aside to dry. Then I began to add the flowers. The first sprays are added directly to the vellum one facing up and the other flipped below the sentiment banner. I added them first so the sentiment banner actually overlapped the edges of the flowers.
For the layers, I cut apart the last two sprays by fussing cutting out the rose in the middle. It created three pieces (for a total of six) I could work with. I tucked the previously connected pieces under “their rose” and glued them in place. I added them to the card using Dimensionals. Next, using glue, I inserted a few of the single flower and leaf die cuts to add more interest and dimension. The final touch was the Magenta Madness enamel dots on the sentiment banner.
For me, the two biggest hurdles to making advanced cards are tools and time. Because most of us live in the real world of jobs, bills, and budgets, we have to add to our stash over time. Also, it takes time to make complex cards. But when I have the time to create a truly special card, I love to get out all my stuff and get crafty because the results are so much fun. Each of the cards I shared today is beautiful and shows how one great stamp set can be so versatile. Meet yourself where you are in terms of tools and time, and just enjoy your creative process. Happy crafting.