Ranunculus Card

Hi,

I said I would explain how I made the card I used for the flower card swap so here is a quick explanation.

Start off by cutting a piece of cream cardstock 9cm wide and 13.5cm high.

As you can see I'm working on a craft sheet (which gets a bit of a beating but still survives).

Next use a Hero Arts Friends Definition stamp (or any background you would like).

Make sure with the larger stamps that they are "attached" to the acrylic block well, I put them on and then turn them over and standing up apply pressure by pushing on the acrylic block. 

Turn it over and ink up your stamp with Archival Sepia Ink. I deliberately inked it in a random fashion as I it wasn't going to be the focal image.

Stamp it off lightly on to a scrap piece of paper.

Stamp it on to your cream cardstock. When I use the larger stamps I always stand up to stamp them as you have a better grip and balance.

Ink up the Ranunculus Field stamp with Archival Sepia Ink and stamp it over the top of the Friends Definition. Also stamp your greeting at this time eg Happy Birthday.

Next I've used Distress Ink in Antique Linen (sorry just realised it's not there I'll fix that soon) with the Blending Tool.

Start off with a scrap piece of cream cardstock to make sure it's the colour you want and that the card will take the ink nicely (some of them don't so it may not be your technique at fault).

If you don't have a craft sheet try a piece of baking paper or a scrap piece of paper underneath your cardstock.

Start by tapping the blending tool onto the ink pad and then place it on to the craft sheet a little away from the cardstock (about 2 or 3cm) and start swirling it in a circular motion and move it slowly towards and onto the cardstock. I tend to do a side then turn my cardstock, as you can see I'm inking up the edges and leaving a lighter section in the middle. You can always go back and add colour so start lightly.

 At this point once you're happy with the inking can either leave the flowers as is or add a touch of colour with Marvy Markers as I did for some of them. I know I used Pale Orange for the flowers and I think it was a watery version of Jungle green for the foliage. You don't want to colour too heavily or too much, let some of the background stay.

Next cut two pieces of ribbon. One approx 13cm and another approx 10cm.With the smaller one tie in a knot in the middle of the longer one and trim off the excess.

Attach to your card with a good Double Sided Tape.  Always give yourself enough ribbon to fold under properly and use a good tape so that it doesn't lift off.

Attach to your card and your done. I have stamped some of the image on to the matching envelope. I hope you can follow this and that it's been useful to you.