Joan Bardee and Scandinavian Prints

It's Friday!  Which is a great thing in and of itself, but it also means that our June guest designer Joan is back with us today.

I almost always make fairly simple, straightforward, cards.  Today’s cards are no different. However, both have a little pop of something special.

Both cards use the fantastic Scandinavian Prints.  This set is full of graphic shapes to make flowers and leaves, or you can use the pieces to make anything you want.

The first card has a bit of hand embroidery., which adds some interest to the design, without overwhelming it.

 

To make this card:

• Trim white cardstock to 4.25” x 5.5”.
• Stamp two rows of the sketched half oval, or scallop, circled in the picture below.  I used red ink for the unstitched scallops, and orange ink for the two to be stitched.

• Stamp the sentiment so that the right edge extends beyond the right edge of the row of scallops.  Then stamp one more inverted scallop below the sentiment, being careful to align the scallops to frame the sentiment.
• Place the stamped cardstock on a foam mat, and using something thin and sharp, such as a push pin, or craft pick, carefully poke holes along the top and bottom of two of the scallops, as shown.  Be careful to poke the same number of holes on the bottom and the top of each scallop so that your stitching is aligned. Also, be careful not to poke the holes too close together or you will destroy the shape.  (Practicing helps!)
• Stitch over the scallops with two strands of orange embroidery thread. It’s a simple stitch -- just in from the bottom, over the stamped image, and down through the top of the image.  I used a tapestry needle. Tape down the loose threads on the back of the panel.
• Adhere stitched panel to a scored and folded A2 sized card. 
• You could leave it alone and be happy. Or, add a strip of patterned paper.  This paper is from Basic Grey and the ombre colors matched the scallops. 
• Sit back and pat yourself on the back.  You are an artist!

The second card uses just a bit of very easy to add (I promise!) gold foil to the center of the flower. 

To make this card:

• Trim watercolor paper to an A2 card.  Tip: to flatten the card, score, fold and run through your die cutting machine, such as a Big Shot, using clean unetched plastic plates.
• Color one of the solid images, circled in the picture below, from Neat & Tangled Scandinavian Prints, with markers or Distress ink to make a flowerpot.  I used three shades of blue markers.  Blend with a very small amount of water.  Add a bit of shading with light gray paint or ink on the bottom of the pot.  It’s ok of the pot blends out a little. 

• Stamp stem, leaf, and flower using images from the same set.  Blend as desired with a bit of water.
• Stamp the center of the flower with black ink and cover each dot in the center with glue from a Quickie Glue pen or other fine tip glue pen.  LET DRY completely.  This should take about 15 minutes. It will feel tacky.
• While you are waiting for the glue to dry, lightly color the background with a bit of pale blue ink or watercolors. I used ink from a pale blue marker. 
• Place a bit of foil over the center of the foil and rub several times with your finger. Remove foil. Voila! The center is foiled.
• Stamp sentiment. You are done. Take a bow. 

Thanks for coming by!  Have a great weekend!