bloomin' hearts; bloomin' love

All the cards on this post showcase SU's Bloomin' Love/Bloomin' Hearts stamp and die sets. I used several images from other sets as well, but wanted to use the bloomin' ones as I seldom reach for that exact set. I was happy how they turned out and that it worked out to make cards for three different occasions. 

my friend (hand-lettered, sketched)

Excuse my funny blurs (below) but I didn't want to show my already filled in comments to the whole wide world! I used some of SU's stamps on here. From Butterfly Basics. I still keep coming back to that fern image. 

Special Reason (friend, thankyou)

flourishing phrases Stampin' Up (variety)

 What CAN'T you all do with Flourishing Phrases? Here several different ways I've used this set (again!) to create cards for a variety of occasions.
 

Hey Chick! You're a good egg!

For all you chicken lovers out there, here are two more Saleabration Hey Chick! cards for you! This stamp set is FREEEEEEE with a $60CD Stampin' Up purchase until March 31st.

Special Reason watercolour effects

Try this: Take the largest daisy image from the Special Reasons stamp set (SU) and color three different colors directly on the stamp. I used Cucumber Crush in the center, So Saffron on the inner petals and Flirty Flamingo on the outside petals. Then using your Stampin' Spritzer, mist the whole thing really well. (I probably misted it too much, but I do love what happened next!)

 

This picture (above) isn't the greatest, but maybe you can sort of see how it turned out. I simply stamped that big flower image three times on three separate pieces of Whisper White cardstock. Each time I stamped I breathed an "Oh-h-h-h!" to myself! Watercolor does that to me every time! You just NEVER know what it will surprise you with.
Using those three images, I created the following cards. See what I mean? From bright and happy to sweet and soft! They cover all moods.
And don't you LOVE how that stem die from the Special Reasons set creates a gorgeous negative space?! I just love everything about this set!

good egg

Inside this card it says, "You are a good egg!" I can't beGIN to explain how wonderful it is to FINALLY have a chicken stamp set! And it's FREEEEEE in the Saleabration catalogue RIGHT NOW, with a purchase of $60CD. And the BEST thing about this set is this wonderful realistic Polish Rooster. That's right! He's a rooster, but there HAD to be an egg on this card....
(For those of you who know about these wonderful Polish guys, the designer of this stamp set obviously knew they cocked their heads to the side and she made this roo to do EXACTLY the right thing!)

vertical greetings

 On an earlier post I wrote how some stamps and dies leap off the pages of Stampin' Up's catalogue. They jump straight onto the order form and out of my bank account and zoom into my craft room. Well, there are others that twinkle up at me, silently quietly beckoning. They take a bit more thought, but every time I go through the catty there they sit, smiling at me! Vertical Greetings is one of those friendly sort. I ordered it quite recently and have fallen in love.

watercolor peonies

Water coloring is so...so......so NEAT! SPECIAL! I don't know HOW to say it I guess! Water color has a mystique to it that other techniques don't. OK! I know that's just MY take on it, but since this is my spot to air my opinions, that's what you'll get! I used my aqua painter and re-inkers dropped onto a clear block as my palette. That's right! A clear block makes the perfect palette! It's washable and smooth enough to mix colors to perfection.

computer generated (mostly love stuff)

two ways to use paper strips by Karly

While you may wonder why I posted these two cards of Karly's on the same page, it's cuz they showcase two different ways you can piece your paper colors to create two completely different looks. (I've studied and studied these cards, Kar!!  Keep them coming!)

for you flourish (effortless)

I'm simply addicted to the diecuts from the Flourishing Phrases bundle from Stampin' Up. This is a simple card, easily put together in a few minutes.

ombre teacups

hello sunshine

While not my usual color choice, I was happy with how this card turned out. After all, a cheerful Hello needs to be happy colors! Nothing muted, oh no!

Thank-you friend...

jar of lilacs for you

I tried to get a picture that showed the Wink of Stella glitter paint and this is the closest I got. It adds a subtle glimmer to the lilacs.

just a note

love from us!