Belated Birthday Greeting

Inspiration

Happy Heartfelt Creations Wednesday! Can you believe the summer is almost over? They are saying we may get a break from the 100-degree heat we've had FOREVER here in Texas, so that would be just right for the end of the summer months.

Today's card is a summery color combo - I picked the colors based on Color Challenge 333 at SCS called "Island Tango Delight" - sounds inviting, doesn't it? The card features stamps from the Decorative Basket Collection and the Dutch Iris-Blossom 3 Collection. The "Flora Grande" flowers are perfect for creating layers of petals to create beautiful embellishments!

Be sure to hop over to the Heartfelt Creations blog - it's overflowing with creative inspiration from the design team members!

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Paper

Tangerine Tango (SU!)	5 1/2" x 11"; scored at 5 1/2", and 3/4" x 3 3/4" (4 pieces)
Sunshine Yellow (SU!)	5 1/4" x 5 1/4", and 1 7/8" x 5 1/4"
Bermuda Bay (SU!)	2" x 5 1/4"
Whisper White (SU!)	1/2" x 3 1/2" (4 pieces)
SW Nature patterned paper (K & Company)	5 1/8" x 5 18
Papercrafting Stamping Illustration Paper (Imagination International)	4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Inks

Sunshine Yellow (SU!)

Bermuda Bay (SU!)

Stamps

HCPC 3410: Decorative Basket PreCut Set (Heartfelt Creations)

HCPC 3414: Belated Birthday Wishes PreCut Set (Heartfelt Creations)

HCPC 3375 Flora Grande 1 PreCut Set (Heartfelt Creations)

HCPC 3374 Flora Grande 2 PreCut Set (Heartfelt Creations)

Accessories

Clear Glass Beads (Creative Images)

Zip-Dry

ATG (Scotch)

Scor-Pal

Scissors

Rotary Trimmer

Instructions

FLOWER

Stamp two of the medium flower, and one small flower in blue ink on the stamping paper. This COPIC stamping paper is not heavy enough to make cards, but it is great for embellishments like this flower that you want to curl or shape.

Cut the flower images out, and cut between each petal. Bend each petal gently down the middle. Glue the flowers together, rotating each layer slightly so the petals alternate. After the stack dries, put some glue in the center of the flower, and cover the glue in glass beads and gently press them into the glue. Shake off the excess beads, and let it dry.

SENTIMENT

Cut 4 strips of white cardstock measuring 1/2" x 3 1/2". Stamp each line of the sentiment onto the separate strips, using blue ink. Mount each white strip onto a strip of orange paper, measuring 3/4" x 3 3/4".

ASSEMBLY

Cut orange cardstock to 5 1/2" x 11", score at 5 1/2", and fold. Mount a piece of yellow cardstock measuring 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" onto the front of the card, followed by a patterned paper piece measuring 5 1/8" x 5 1/8". Cut a piece of blue cardstock measuring 2" x 5 1/4", and yellow cardstock measuring 1 7/8" x 5 1/4". Stamp the leave sprig image in yellow ink randomly all over the yellow paper. Mount the stamped yellow panel onto the blue panel, and mount these on the left of the card front. Finish by adhering each sentiment strip on the card front, and glue the flower in the lower left corner.

Thanks for stopping by!

Embossed Acetate

Inspiration

I found a neat technique on a video in You Tube for embossing acetate with ultrathick embossing powder. For this one, I used summery colors that really work well with the coppery colored powder. The only thing you have to be careful of is heating the acetate when you emboss the image - keep the heat gun moving, or the transparency will melt!

I really like the method - you'll definitely see another one from me using this technique!

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Paper

Basic Black (SU!)	4 1/4" x 11"; scored at 5 1/2"
Barely Banana (SU!)	4 1/8" x 5 1/8"
Transparency (3M)	4" x 5"

Inks

Versamark (Tsukineko)

Stamps

Sun (Judikins)

Birthday Whimsey (Stampendous)

Accessories

Alcohol Inks & felt applicator (Ranger)

Ultra-Thick Embossing Powder (Ranger)

Black Embossing Powder (CTMH)

Heat Gun

ATG (Scotch)

Scor-Pal

Rotary Trimmer

Instructions

TRANSPARENCY LAYER

Stamp the sun image with the embossing ink in the lower right corner of the transparency, and cover in ultra-thick embossing powder, and shake off the excess. Heat with heat gun to emboss, constantly moving the heat so the transparency does not melt.

Apply a few drops of alcohol ink to a felt applicator and pounce onto the transparency. I used the colors Butterscotch, Terra Cotta, and Copper metallic additive. I "pounced" color over the sun, too.

Stamp the sentiment in embossing ink centered in the upper area of the transparency. Use the ink pad to sponge ink around the edges of the acetate sheet, with a little more in each corner. Cover in black embossing powder, and shake off the excess. Heat the acetate again with heat gun to emboss, constantly moving the heat so the transparency does not melt.

ASSEMBLY

Mount the yellow cardstock onto the black card front, followed by the transparency. I used small pieces of double-sided tape in the corners, under the black embossing so the adhesive doesn't show.

Thanks for stopping by!

A Basket of Best Wishes

Inspiration

Here's a basket of flowers created by combining two lovely sets from Heartfelt Creations' August release, the Decorative Basket Collection. The basket is the Woven Basket - a nice basket image you can fill with any set of flowers to set the mood!

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 5" x 7"

Paper

Bermuda Bay (SU!)	7" x 10"; scored at 5"
Linen Closet ivory patterned paper (DCWV)	4 7/8" x 6 7/8"
Pale Plum (SU!)	4" x 5"
Very Vanilla (SU!)	7/8" x 2 5/8"
Linen Closet brown patterned paper (DCWV)	4" x 5"
Stamper's Select White (Paper Trey Ink)	4" x 5"

Inks

Soft Suede (SU!)

Bermuda Bay (SU!)

Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Stamps

HCPC 3411: Woven Basket PreCut Set

HCPC 3362 Angel Trumpet Flower PreCut Set

Accessories

HCD 714: Decorative Layered Basket Die

Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)

Fancy Tags 2 Shapeabilities (Spellbinders)

Handsome Hunter marker (SU!)

COPIC markers (Imagination International)

Wild Pansy adhesive gems (Bazzill Basics)

Xyron

Stamp-a-ma-Jig

ATG

Foam squares

Zip-Dry

Scor-Pal

Scissors

Rotary trimmer

Instructions

BASE CARD

Cut blue cardstock to 7" x 10", score at 5", and fold.

BASKET

Stamp the basket on the brown patterened paper in brown ink. Cut out the basket using the basket outline die.

MAT

Cut ivory patterned paper to 4 7/8" x 6 7/8". Use the green marker to color just the leaves & swirls on the trumpet flower stamp.

Use the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to stamp the swirls on the ivory paper, positioning them where they will show outside the edges of the basket.

Stamp the same swirls/leaves in black ink on white paper. Cut the leaves out closely, and color them with a G29 COPIC marker.

FLOWERS

Stamp the flowers on white paper in black ink. Trim the entire bouquet closely. Stamp the bottom three flowers again, and trim out just the fronts of the blossoms. Color the leaves in the bouquet with the G29 COPIC, and the flowers with V91 and V95 markers.

ASSEMBLY

Mount the ivory mat on the front of the card, and the basket lined up with the stamped leaves/swirls. Glue the individual leaves over the stamped leaves. Mount the bouquet in the basket opening. Use foam tape on the individual flower fronts to mount them to the matching blossoms. Adhere 3 purple gems in the centers of each flower.

SENTIMENT

Cut/emboss a fancy tag from the light purple paper. Cut a rectangle out of vanilla paper measuring 7/8" x 2 5/8", and stamp the sentiment in blue ink in the center of the vanilla rectangle. Mount the sentiment on the tag, and the tag at the bottom center of the card front.

Thanks for stopping by!

Belated Wishes Goodie Box

Inspiration

The Decorative Basket Collection release from Heartfelt Creations is so much fun - baskets of flowers and a fun basket-weave background stamp that has lots of uses. This sample is a "gable box" - a technique I found on the resources section on Splitcoast Stampers (there's even a video!). I used the Basketweave Background stamp to fill the body of the box, and trimmed the flowers from the Decorative Basket stamp for the face of the box. It's a fun box for treats or even a gift card.

And, as always, the design team is showing some truly beautiful creations - be sure to visit the Heartfelt Creations blog.

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 3 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Paper

Sand (unknown)	8 1/2" x 11"
Stamper's Select White (Paper Trey Ink)	4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
Barely Banana (SU!)	3" x 4""

Inks

Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko)

Chocolate Chip (SU!)

Ballet Blue (SU!)

Stamps

HCPC 3410: Decorative Basket PreCut Set

HCPC 3413: Basketweave Background PreCut Set

HCPC 3414: Belated Birthday Wishes PreCut Set

Accessories

Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)

Long Scalloped Rectancgles - Small - Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Ribbon (Michaels)

Bow-Easy

Oval punch (SU!)

Corner rounder punch (SU!)

COPIC Markers (Imagination International)

Souffle pen (Sakura)

Gelly Roll pens (Sakura)

Foam square

Double-sided tape

Zip-Dry

Scor-Pal

Scissors

Rotary trimmer

Instructions

BOX

Use an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of sand-colored cardstock. Score the 11î side of cardstock at 1/2", 3 1/2", 5 3/4", and 8 3/4". Score the 8 1/2" side at 3" and 6 1/2". Fold the top of the card stock (the portion with the longer scored sections) under and stamp across the exposed area of card stock using the background stamp, and the chocolate brown ink. Cut each score line up to the intersecting score line to create flaps. Cut off the two 1/2" flaps on the ends, leaving the center flap. Put double-sided tape on the OUTSIDE of the 1/2" center flap. Lay the card face down on your work surface. Put double-sidede tape on the INSIDE of the second and fourth flaps of the top of the box, and on the first and third flaps of the bottom of the box. Use the oval punch to put holes in the two top flaps that do not have adhesive on them, and the corner-rounder punch to round the corners of those flaps. Fold and seal the box.

FLOWERS

Stamp the flowers portion of the image from the Botanical Floral Basket set twice on white cardstock, using the brown ink. Trim closely around the bouquet of one of the images- eliminate any of the basket image. From the other stamped image, cut out the large, center flower, and the the smaller flower to the left of the center flower, and the single spike bloom on the right of the center flower. Color with COPIC markers. I used these colors: Leaves: G03, G09; Flowers: Y02, Y08, R01, R08; Floral spikes: B21, B28. Add sparkle to the flowers Gelly Roll "star" pens: clear, lime, copper, and blue. Use a yellow Souffle pen to enhance the centers of the yellow flowers, and adhesive red gems for the center of the red flowers.

EMBELLISH THE BOX

Mount a strip of ribbon up the side of the box, including the handle. Tie a matching bow and mount it on the handle of the box. Mount the complete bouquet on the face of the top of the box, allowing the lowest flowers to hang over the front of the box. Use foam tape pieces to mount the individual flowers on top of the matching blossoms.

Cut/emboss a yellow rectangle using the scalloped rectangle die. Stamp the sentiment in the middle of the rectangle, and mount on the front of the box.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cupcake Celebration

Inspiration

Here's a birthday card good for any special person with a celebration coming up. The frosting on the cupcake border is done with Liquid Applique and a heat gun - kind of looks like popcorn!

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Paper

Dusty Durango (SU!)	4 1/4" x 11"; scored at 5 1/2", plus a scrap
Bermuda Bay (SU!)	2 1/2" x 4 1/4", plus a scrap
Crushed Curry (SU!)	2 1/4" x 4 1/4", plus a scrap
Basic Black (SU!)	2 1/4 x 2 3/4"
Whisper White (SU!)	2" x 2 1/2"

Inks

Basic Black (SU!)

Stamps

Tag Time (SU!)

Crazy for Cupcakes (SU!)

Accessories

Markers (SU!)

Liquid Applique

Heat Gun

Ribbon (Michaels)

ATG (Scotch)

Scor-Pal

Scissors

Rotary Trimmer

Instructions

BALLOONS

Stamp the balloon image on the white rectangle in black ink. Stamp the baloons again on the scraps of the three colors of paper, and cut out the balloons. Glue them onto the balloon image.

CUPCAKES

Ink the cupcake wheel with black ink, and roll it onto the lower edge of the yellow cardstock strip. Color the cupcake cups and the confetti with markers. Squeeze liquid applique onto the frosting area of the cupcakes - it doesn't take very much! Heat for a few seconds with a heat gun.

ASSEMBLY

Mount the yellow cardstock onto the blue. Wrap the ribbon around this stack and tie a knot on the left side. Mount the stack onto the front of the card.
Mount the balloon panel onto the black rectangle, and adhere it to the right of the knot in the ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Every Wonderful Thing

Inspiration

Here's another card made with stamps from the Heartfelt Creations' August release, the Decorative Basket Collection. The release includes some nice birthday sentiments in the HCPC 3414: Belated Birthday Wishes PreCut Set - one for those who send cards on time, and a couple of verses for those of us who miss a few!

Don't forget to check out the Heartfelt Creations blog to see who the lucky winner is, and to see the new designs from the design team!

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 5" x 7"

Paper

Basic Gray (SU!)	7" x 10"; scored at 5"
Blue Bayou (SU!)	4 7/8" x 6"
Soft Sky (SU!)	3" x 4 1/4"
Walk in the Park DSP (SU!)	4 7/8" x 3"
Certainly Celery (SU!)	scraps
Pretty in Pink (SU!)	scraps

Inks

Blue Bayou (SU!)

Certainly Celery (SU!)

Pretty in Pink (SU!)

Stamps

HCPC 3414: Belated Birthday Wishes PreCut Set

HCPC 3405: Leaf Medley PreCut Set

HCPC 3407: Botanical Floral 2 PreCut Set

HCPC 2255: Large Fancy Flourish PreCut Set

Accessories

Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)

Labels 17 Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Rose Creations Shapeabilities (Spellbinders)

Foliage Shapeabilities (Spellbinders)

Paper Blossoms Toolkit (McGill)

Buttons (SU!)

Embroidery floss

Scallop edge punch (SU!)

Corner rounder punch (SU!)

Post-it Note (for masking)

ATG

Zip-Dry

Scor-Pal

Scissors

Rotary trimmer

Instructions

BASE CARD

Cut gray cardstock to 7" x 10", and score at 5". Fold along the scoreline. Use the corner rounder punch to round all 4 corners. Cut a piece of patterned paper to 3" x 4 7/8", and round two of the corners. Mount this piece on the left of the card front.

IMAGE LAYERS

Cut dark blue cardstock to 4 7/8" x 6". Round two corners, and use the scallop punch edge punch on the opposite end. Stamp the sentiment on light blue cardstock, and cut/emboss using the Label 17 die that just fits the words. Stamp the sentiment again on a post-it note, and trim around it closely to create a mask for the words. Adhere it over the words on the label. Mount the layer on to the dark blue panel, then stamp the flourish in dark blue ink across both panels. Mount this on the card front.

FLOWER EMBELLISHMENTS

Stamp the flowers in pink on pink paper. Stamp the leaves in green ink on green paper. Use the matching dies to cut out the flowers and leaves. Use the Paper Blossoms tools to distress and shape the petals and leaves. Mount the leaves and flowers around the label on the front of the card. Thread the blue embroidery floss through the buttons, and glue the buttons in the centers of the flowers.

Thanks for stopping by!

Birthday Silhouette

Inspiration

Another easy card, inspired by a design I saw in a Stamp It magazine, designed by Dawn McVey. It's always fun to see cards that use stamps you have in your stash!

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Paper

Whisper White (SU!)	4 1/4" x 11"; scored at 5 1/2", and 5/8" x 2"
Dusty Durango (SU!)	1 1/4 x 4 1/4", and 3/4" x 2" 1/8

Inks

Dusty Durango (SU!)

Stamps

Upsy Daisy (SU!)

Poetic Prints (Hero Arts)

Accessories

Ribbon (SU!)

ATG (Scotch)

Scor-Pal

Scissors

Rotary Trimmer

Instructions

IMAGE

Stamp the silhouette image on the front of the card in the dark orange ink - you actually have to stamp it twice in order to have it reach all the way across the card, so don't be afraid to let it "drop of the edges" of the card.

SENTIMENT

Stamp the greeting on the small piece of white cardstock (I actually stamp the sentiment BEFORE I cut the paper to be so small). Mount the trimmed sentiment on the small piece of orange paper.

ASSEMBLY

Stamp the background dots in dark orange ink on the orange paper. Tie a knot in a length of ribbon and adhere it across the upper portion of the orange paper, then mount this panel over the lower part of the flower image.

Add the sentiment stack in the upper right area of the card front.

Thanks for stopping by!

Love Ya Bunches! Heartfelt Creations New Release

Inspiration

It's time for the August release from Heartfelt Creations! The Decorative Basket Collection has beautiful basket and floral images that will be a "go to" set time after time. You can use them for party favors, harvest baskets, Christmas baskets...the possibilities are endless. This collection features 5 new precut stamp sets and one exclusive Heartfelt Creations die manufactured by Spellbinders. And, as always, the design team has a basket full of creations to inspire you - be sure to visit the Heartfelt Creations blog to see all the new ideas! And, leave a comment on the Heartfelt Creations blog for a chance to win the entire release valued at $85.00.

My contribution is an accordian fold card (I first saw this design on Technique Junkies) - it looks complicated, but is actually pretty easy! I have a template below to help you out.

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 3 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Paper

Old Olive (SU!)	8 1/2" x 10 1/2"
Groovy Guava (SU!)	8 1/2" x 10 1/2"
Nature's Sanctuary designer paper (Pink Paislee)	8 1/2" x 10 1/2"
Stamper's Select White (PaperTrey Ink)	5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
Very Vanilla (SU!)	2"x 2'

Inks

Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko)

Old Olive (SU!)

Stamps

HCPC 3412: Bontanical Floral Basket PreCut Set (Heartfelt Creations)

Accessories

HCD 713: Decorative Layered Basket Die (Heartfelt Creations)

Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)

Labels 18 Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Lavender Flower Soft

Flower Soft glue

COPIC Markers (Imagination International)

SPICA glitter pen (Imagination International)

i-rock hot fix tool and hot rocks gems (Imaginisce)

Foam dots

Zip Dry

ATG (Scotch)

Scor-Pal

Scissors

Rotary trimmer

Instructions

BASE CARD

The accordian card is created using a sheet of green cardstock measuring 8 1/2" x 10 1/2". Put the long side of the paper at the top of your scoring tool, and score at 3 1/2" and 7". Turn the paper to the short side and make a mark at 5 1/2" on the short side of the paper. Line up the 3 1/2" score line, and your 5 1/2" mark on the trimmer, and cut along that line. Now you can fold the card accordian-style to create the base card. Sometimes, a picture IS worth 1,000 words - take a look at this template to see if it helps you get the scoring/cutting right - score on the pink lines; cut on the blue line.

To get the mat layers for each panel sized just right, start with the same 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" paper in a peach color, and score/cut the same way. Now, cut along the score lines to create 3 individual panels. Then trim 1/4" from the long side and 1/4" from the bottom of each panel, and mount these on the matching panels on the base card. Repeat with the patterned paper panels, trimming 1/2" from the 2 sides. For my card, I only mounted the patterned paper on the front and middle panels.

SENTIMENT

Cut/emboss the next-to-smallest Label 18 from vanilla paper, and stamp the sentiment in green ink in the center of the label. Mount this on the back-most panel where it shows above the folds.

BASKET

Cut/emboss a green basket using the "solid" basket die. Cut/emboss a peach basket using the "lacy" basket die. Trim the handles from both die cuts. Glue the peach basket onto the green basket.

FLOWERS

Stamp the flowers portion of the image from the Botanical Floral Basket set twice on white cardstock, using the brown ink. Trim closely around the bouquet of one of the images- eliminate any of the basket image. From the other stamped image, cut out the large, center flower, and the two smaller clusters of flowers on each side of the center flower. Color with COPIC markers. I used these colors: Leaves: YG93, YG95; Flowers: YR01, R21, R24; Floral spikes: V95. Add a little sparkle to the flowers using the Peach colored SPICA glitter pen.

Put the full bouquet together with the basket, and mount this on the front panel. Add the individually cut out flowers onto their matching images using foam dots. Finish up by embellishing the purple spiked flower images with lavender flower soft - apply the glue, then cover and gently press the flower soft onto the glue. Add the green/gold hot fix gems in the middle of each open flower.

Don't Forget!

Be sure to see all the beautiful creations by the design team, and leave a comment on the Heartfelt Creations blog for a chance to win the entire release valued at $85.00!

Thanks for stopping by!

Celebrate Cake

Inspiration

Just a fast post today - headed out soon for a business trip to New Orleans, so here's a simple card that can be used for anyone, young or old.

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Paper

Tempting Turquoise (SU!)	4 1/4" x 11"; scored at 5 1/2"
Rainbow Sherbert (SU!)	4" x 5 1/4"
Whisper White (SU!)	3 1/4" x 3 1/4"

Inks

Tempting Turquoise (SU!)

Stamps

Celebrate Cake (Denami Designs)

Accessories

Orange Crystal Laquer (Sakura)

Foam tape

ATG (Scotch)

Scor-Pal

Scissors

Rotary Trimmer with straight and wave blades

Instructions

IMAGE

Stamp the cake image in turquoise ink on the white paper. Trim it closely. Squeeze a drop of crystal laquer onto each flame.

ASSEMBLY

Cut and score the base card from turquoise paper, and fold. Cut the patterned paper with the wave blade, and mount it onto the front of the card. Mount the cake onto the lower part of the card front, using foam tape to add dimension.

Thanks for stopping by!

Just for You Gift Bag & Card

Inspiration

Hello on Heartfelt Creations Wednesday!

One of the fun things the design team did this summer was to create paper flowers using the Heartfelt Creations stamps, and these were displayed at the Heartfelt Creations booth at CHA. All the design team members had different takes on the assignment - it was a challenging project! I used fabric to make mine, which got me to thinking about ways I could use these fabric flower creations on cards or other items.

My project on the Heartfelt Creations blog today uses a couple of fabric flowers, and fabric background layer to create a gift card and bag "just for you".

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Note: Gift bag size is 5 1/4" x 8 1/4"

Paper

Purely Pomegranate (SU!)	5 1/2" x 8 1/2"; scored at 4 1/4"
Mellow Moss (SU!)	5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
White cardstock (any)	8 1/2" x 5 1/2", and 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Inks

Versamark (Tsukineko)

Always Artichoke (SU!)

Purely Pomegranate (SU!)

Stamps

HCPC 3408 Woodland Fern PreCut Set (Heartfelt Creations)

HCPC 3354 Classic Message PreCut Set (Heartfelt Creations)

HCPC 2242: Innoscents Flowers 2 PreCut Set (Heartfelt Creations)

Accessories

Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)

Labels 17 Mega Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Labels 10 Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Blossom 2 Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Foliage Shapeabilities (Spellbinders)

White gift bag (Hobby Lobby)

Fabric (Joann)

Xyron 9 Creative Station

Gold embossing powder (Stampendous)

heat gun

Adhesive Gems (Paper Studio)

Ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

Paper piercer

wire

Bow-Easy

Glue dots

Zip Dry

ATG

Scor-Pal

scissors

Rotary trimmer

Instructions

Working with the Fabric

I'm not a seamstress at all, so I really know little about fabric. I picked up some fabric remnants at Joann's that were about $1.50 a piece - they weren't marked with the type of fabric or anything (sorry I don't have those details). I just picked rich colors with batik-like patterns, and fabric that had a very smooth surface since I wanted to stamp and heat emboss. I washed and ironed the fabric before I did anything with it. I found that, because you will handle the pieces of the flowers a lot, you need to get them to be a little sturdier than the fabric allows. I accomplished this by using my Xyron machine - I ran a piece of cardstock through, then stuck the card to the fabric. For this project, I used white cardstock, but for the CHA flowers, I tried to match the cardstock more closely to the color of the fabric.

FLOWERS

Run a 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" sheet of white cardstock through the Xyron machine, then apply the fabric to the adhesive cardstock. Use the Versamark ink to stamp the three flower images two times each. Heat emboss with gold embossing powder, being careful not to scorch the fabric. Use the Blossoms 2 dies to cut out the flower shapes (You may have to run it through a couple of times to cut the fabric all the way). After cutting out the flowers snip through the center of the smaller petals. Using the paper piercer, punch 2 holes through the center of each flower. Stack 3 flowers together, and wire them together; do the same with the other 3 flowers.

LEAVES

Stamp the leaf image on the light green paper, using dark green ink. Cut all 4 out using the foliage die. (I didn't buy any green fabric, but that would make really pretty leaves!)

CARD

Run a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" sheet of white cardstock through the Xyron machine, then apply the fabric to the adhesive cardstock. Use the largest Label 17 die to cut out a fabric shape for the front of the card. Punch 2 holes in the upper right area of the label, and wire one of the flowers to the fabric label. Adhere a strip of ribbon just below the center of the panel. Use glue to adhere leaves, just under the edges of the blossom. Cut a piece of dark pink paper measuring 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"; score this at 4 1/4" and fold. Adhere the fabric label to the front of the card. Add a gem in the middle of the flower, and tie a bow from the same ribbon and mount on the right of the front of the card.

BAG

Run a 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" sheet of white cardstock through the Xyron machine, then apply the fabric to the adhesive cardstock. Trim to to 5" x 8". Punch two holes in the lower left area of the fabric panel, and wire the remaining flower to the fabric panel. Mount the panel to the front of the gift bag. Glue the remaining leaves to the panel, just under the edges of the flower. Add a gem in the middle of the flower.

Cut/emboss a small Label 10 from the white cardstock. Sponge dark green ink around the edges of the white label. Stamp the sentiment in dark pink onto the white label.

Cut/emboss a small Label 17 from the dark pink card stock. Mount the white sentiment label centered on the dark pink label. Adhere the label in the upper right portion of the fabric panel. Tie a pink bow around the handle of the gift bag.

My Other Flowers

Here are the fabric flowers I created for the HC CHA display using the same technique. These are on floral wire stems, wrapped in floral tape.

And here are some made from just paper.

Thanks for stopping by!