FRIENDLY DRAGONFLY: TUTORIAL

I realize it's been quite awhile since I've shared a tutorial with you. Well, you are in for a treat today. Because I am going to give you blow-by-blow directions on how to create this beauty:

Using an amazingly beautiful -- and versatile -- stamp set from the big catalog, this card features Awesomely Artistic (page 125). I have used all but three of the images from this set, and it includes nine images. 

One of the images is this gorgeous realistic dragonfly. While it is fussy cut, it is an easy task. Leaving a bit of margin around the stamped portions makes it fairly quick to cut out.

And popped up with a piece of Stampin' Dimensional, it seems as if it has just landed on the card -- or is about to take off again.

The following photo shows a couple of elements that I really love, and that make the card outstanding. 

The technique used is, of course, an emboss resist. Notice the shiny embossed look of the fern that is catching the light.

By coming in at the end with some of the splotches from the set, stamped off first, it gives our card another interesting facet.

I love how easy it is to create the "Friend" label. It looks somewhat complicated, but with Stampin' Up!'s creative planning, it is so simple to manage.

The lovely 1/4" Cotton Ribbon in Marina Mist adds the final -- necessary -- touch.

The card would be equally as beautiful in a variety of other color combinations. I, however, do love the icy looks of the blue/green combo I've used here.

Have fun creating one of these cards for yourself!

Supplies:

Awesomely Artistic stamp set

Whisper White cardstock

Naturals White cardstock

Tempting Turquoise cardstock

Mellow Moss cardstock

Wild Wasabi cardstock

Tempting Turquoise ink

Marina Mist ink

Wild Wasabi ink

Mossy Meadow ink

VersaMark ink

Marina Mist 1/4" Cotton Ribbon (page 159)

Basic Pearls

Embossing Buddy

Clear Embossing Powder

Heat Tool

Big Shot

Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits (173)

Stampin' Dimensionals

Paper Snips

Directions:

Fold a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of Naturals White cardstock in half, creasing well with a bone folder.

Adhere a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of Tempting Turquoise cardstock to the card base, followed by a 3 7/8" x 5 1/8" piece of Mossy Meadow cardstock.

Rub a 3 3/4" x 5" piece of Whisper White cardstock well with the Embossing Buddy. Stamp the ferns in VersaMark, stamping the larger ferns first and filling in the blank spaces with the smaller ferns. It is OK to overlap the ferns a LITTLE BIT, but try to keep them fairly separated. 

At the Heat Station, dump clear embossing powder over the entire surface, tapping the excess powder back into its container. Use the Heat Tool to emboss the ferns, making sure that ALL the ferns are shiny. Set this piece aside to cool completely.

On a scrap piece of Wild Wasabi cardstock, stamp the dragonfly in Mossy Meadow ink. Carefully cut out the dragonfly, leaving a small margin around the stamped image. Set him aside. BUT KEEP AN EYE ON HIM SO HE DOESN'T FLY AWAY!

On a scrap of Whisper White, stamp the frame image in Wild Wasabi. Stamp "Friend" in the center of the frame in Marina Mist. Cut out this label with the appropriate Framelit in the Big Shot. Add Basic Pearls to either side of the word, removing the pearls from their base and transferring them to the label with a craft knife (Xacto). Set this aside for now.

Go back to the fern piece. With sponges, and starting with the Tempting Turquoise, sponge the ink randomly, starting out softly. You will be darkening it later, so leave it light for now. Follow with the Wild Wasabi and the Marina Mist inks, starting to blend and overlap the colors somewhat. When you have the entire piece covered with these inks, you can go in and deepen some of the tones for a variety.

In Marina Mist, lightly stamp the splotchy dots here and there, stamping them off first.

Secure the ends of a piece of Marina Mist 1/4" Cotton Ribbon to the back of this piece with tape. Adhere the piece to the card base.

Put the dragonfly in the sky with a piece of Stampin' Dimensional. Add the label over the ribbon with two Stampin' Dimensionals.

Take flight!

Friendly

Smiles.