VASES ON A LEDGE

For several weeks this summer, we had had beautiful -- might I even say "gorgeous"? -- weather and I was constantly drawn to spend time on our surrounded-by-trees deck. Of course, I always needed something to keep me busy while enjoying my deck time. Right? 

So . . .

I have scraps galore of Stampin' Up!'s wonderful Designer Series Papers. I never throw ANYthing away that I might be able to use for a project in the future. So, I sifted through all of these scraps in search of patterns that would be conducive to making lovely vases. I stamped and stamped and stamped. Vases upon vases on DSP. After a little bit, I started making sets of three matching vases on scraps of DSP that were large enough to accommodate all the vases.. 

I do have the punch that punches out the vases. But, I was sitting on the deck, and needed something more time consuming. So, what did I do? I fussy cut every one of the vases. It was incredibly enjoyable -- basking in the loveliness of a summer day, doing one of my favorite activities: fussy cutting. It was pure creative bliss.

Now, I had a real conundrum. What was I going to do with all those vases? I did not count the sets I'd made. But I'd estimate somewhere between 30 and 50 of the sets of three, plus various unmatched vases. I came up with an idea for using a handful of the vases.

I created this card for my next monthly Stamp-In Workshop:

I wanted my girls to have a good selection of vases to choose from for their own creations. Well, between my sample and the eight sets that got used at the workshop, I used up SOME of them. 

Anyway, would you like to learn how to make this simply darling card? Read on!

SUPPLIES:

Whisper White cardstock

Black cardstock

Designer Series Paper scraps that are vase-y looking

Varied Vases stamp set (page 45)

Black ink

Black Stampin' Write Marker

Black Rhinestones (retired, but if you were lucky enough to order them, dig them out!)

Fussy cut vases

INSTRUCTIONS:

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

Adhere a 1/4" x 4 1/4" black "ledge" with the right side to the edge of a 3 3/4" x 5" piece of Whisper White, and about 1/2" from the bottom.

Choose your set of vases. I had all the like-colored vases within a plastic bag for each one. If you prefer your vases to be dissimilar, there was a larger bag of varrying vases, as well as some cut from wood DSP. I asked the girls not to separate the sets of three.

If you prefer not to fussy cut your set of vases, simply use the coordinating punch.

Whichever combo of vases you choose, adhere them to your liking along the right side of the ledge.

Choose your flower stems. Make sure the stamps are clean clean clean! Estimate how much of the stem will be showing above each of the vases, then proceed to ink up ONLY THAT PORTION. You could also ink up the portion of the stamp you want to use with the brush end of a Black Stampin' Write Marker. Don't forget to HUFF on it before stamping if you go this route! Carefully stamp each flower onto its appropriate vase.

PLEASE NOTE: The reason I have a black jewel in a weird place on my middle vase is to cover up some bad stamping, Having learned from my mistake, I am passing on my advice about CLEAN stamps to you.

Add an uneven amount of black jewels as you wish.

In black ink, stamp the sentiment in the upper left corner.

Adhere this piece to a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of black cardstock, then onto the card base.

Varied

Smiles.