Are you a gardener? Do you enjoy cultivating prize-winning flowers that your fellow “green thumbs” envy? I enjoy dabbling in the dirt sometimes, but not right now, in the middle of the hottest time of the year. Instead, I enjoy making paper flowers! Today’s featured card is from Stampin’ Up!’s Peony Garden suite. The focal point on this card is not the stamp set, but rather the Peony dies. This set of dies cuts out several parts of the peony flower that fit together like a puzzle! It creates a 3D effect that makes the peony look as if it will jump off the card!
I have used the Prized Peony stamp set on the envelope and for the sentiments on the front and inside of the card, but it’s that gorgeous 3D flower that really takes center stage! You’ll notice that I used my dauber to add a little Petal Pink shading for more depth.
The Designer Series Paper (DSP) guided the color choices for this card. You’ll see a panel of the DSP on the card front, as a background. The Basic Gray and Gray Granite, paired with the Petal Pink, is very elegant. It really lets the peony draw all the attention.
And remember how I love to stamp a coordinating envelope to go with my cards! In this case, I used the peony images from the set, as well as some leaves, to give the envelope a botanical flair. Again, I used those daubers to add a little color (Petal Pink and Pear Pizzazz) to the outline images. And the sentiments are heat-embossed with Detail White embossing powder onto the Basic Gray accent piece and the Gray Granite inside panel.
You may also notice that I’ve used some dies from Stitched So Sweetly for the shaped white piece that our peony is mounted on, as well as the stitched, scalloped gray rectangle that has our featured sentiment. Finishing touches are from a bit of Organdy Striped Ribbon in Petal Pink and from a few Elegant Faceted Gems.
Unfortunately, this card is for a sad occasion. However, my mother never sent fresh flowers to grieving friends because she didn’t want to send something that would also eventually fade and pass away. (Maybe a potted houseplant as an alternative). So, this paper flower can be treasured and bring comforting thoughts for years to come.
I hope you will try cultivating a paper flower garden of your own! It’s so easy to do with Stampin’ Up!’s coordinating product bundles. Contact me if you would like your very own catalog to flip through and mark your favorite products. Consider hosting a workshop or party (it would be a virtual one during these pandemic times), so that you can earn some of your favorite products free! Our new holiday Mini Catalog (that isn’t so “mini”) will be available to order from in August (that is just a few days away)!
I do believe that all things happen according to God’s great plan, even though we may not understand it. It will be okay if we trust in Him. Just breathe today…. Stay sweet and spicy!
