Spring is nature’s way of saying “Let’s Party!”   —          Robin Williams

Here in California spring has definitely “sprung.” One of my favorite flowering trees, the Saucer Magnolia, has been in bloom for several weeks now. The buds and flowers of these trees resemble another springtime favorite, tulips, so in my family these seasonal beauties are called “Tulip Trees.” The graceful flowers also have a subtle fragrance. All senses come to the party that is Spring!

Altenew: Dotted Blossoms, Floral Elements

Altenew’s Dotted Blossoms aren’t Magnolia’s,  they more closely resemble Cherry Tree blossoms, but that didn’t stop me from choosing this stamp set to celebrate Spring. To echo the softness of a Spring day I choose to use the Emboss Resist Technique. After heat embossing the images in white embossing powder on velvety smooth bristol paper I used Picket Fence Studio’s Life Changing Brushes  to accomplish a nuanced, subtle ink blend –  I could even gently layer Firefly ink over Coral Berry to create an almost ombre type blend where the colors met. Additionally, the stamped flowers were highlighted in deeper shades of pink using the smallest of the brushes to reach just the very centers or a turned edged of the flowers. A slightly damp cloth was used to clean excess ink off the embossed images.

After the background was completed I added a layering frame from Altenew’s Fine Frames Cover die in a bronze metallic paper pushing the background further back, like behind a window. The floral spray in the upper right was created using Altenew’s Layered Floral Elements also die cut in Bristol Paper and accented with ink blending. The centers were highlighted with Ranger Stickles in Fruit Punch to add a bit of sparkle. The bronze metallic ‘hello’ created from Altenew’s Signature Words die was added to the lower left. And finally, A few scattered holographic sequins complete the card. Welcome Spring indeed!

Here are a few detail images to get a better look at two of the design elements used in this card:

Resist Embossing Closeup

Floral Elements Closeup