BLOSSOM TIME

In honor of all the moms out there, 

I would like to send you this virtual card.

Containing this beautiful flowering branch, just screaming to be colored, the Indescribable Gift set can be found on page 35 of the Occasions Catalog (that expires June 2!!). Stampin' Up! intended the set be used for Easter, with sentiments, "Sharing the joy of His indescribable gift", "Happy Easter" and "Refresh, Renew, Rejoice", and the image definitely fits that occasion. But I think the lovely blooming branch also has uses for MANY occasions throughout the year.

Being May, when so many trees (here in the Midwest) are gloriously -- but briefly -- in bloom, I decided it would be perfect for Mother's Day. 

When the set was released, it was undeniably with the intent of using Blendabilities to color the image. Owning several sets of these markers made just that a possibility for me. But, since so many papercrafters don't or won't have the privilege of using the Blendabilities (as they are no longer available), I wanted to show just how beautiful these blossom are when colored in another way.

One more of my treasured Stampin' Up! supplies that I tend to hoard for special occasions is their White Vellum Cardstock (page 193) of the big catalog. 

Since it is extra-thick and sturdy, it takes to heat embossing very well. I stamped the blossom branch onto vellum cardstock with VersaMark and heat embossed it using Black Embossing Powder. (One thing I cannot stress the importance of enough is to use the Embossing Buddy on all your embossing projects. I did use my Buddy on this, but unfortunately some of the pesky embossing powder still strayed here and there anyway. Grrr)

Then I went to work with various pinks and greens of the STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS. This method proved to be a great alternative to Blendabilities, as well as wonderfully easy. And the bold black outlines provided by the embossing almost gives the finished piece a stained glass effect.

Here is a closeup of a few of the blossoms:

Since vellum can be somewhat challenging to adhere to a card surface without the adhesive showing through, I opted for a great method of attaching it to my card. I simply cut the vellum cardstock a smidge smaller than the 4" x 5 1/4" layer. I attached it freely to the back of the oval cut mat, then just adhered the whole mat to the card base. 

I hope you enjoyed your virtual card. 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Blossom

Smiles.