SENTIMENTAL ROSE

The April 2019 Paper Pumpkin kit, Sentimental Rose, is a lovely kit. Unfortunately, the day after mine arrived in the mail was the day our basement flooded. And I couldn't get to my kit. 

As the days went by, I would comment, "If I could just get my Paper Pumpkin kit, I could work on it upstairs." I so badly was missing my cardmaking. Finally, a week later, I was able to lay my hands on it! Yayyyy! I was so excited. 

I still couldn't craft downstairs in my Creation Station, but I toted it upstairs with me and put the kit together the very next day at my kitchen table. This session of Creative Therapy was just what I needed!

Below is a photo of the front of the instruction sheet from the kit, 

showing how the cards were meant to look.

I used all the materials and stamps that came with the kits in my takes on the cards, but I did a little switching up to make each of them more my style.

First of all, since I'd sent out five thank you cards the week prior, I decided to make all nine of my cards from the kit into thank you cards.

In my first card, the only change I made was the card base. It was supposed to have been on the more geometric looking designed base. I, however, liked the card base with the printed words on it more than the other one, and since this was a smaller focal point and more of the print would show up, I used that base for my card.

On this next card, I made quite a few changes -- and one mistake. That's why I showed two of the cards I created. 

First the mistake: I didn't realize it until the cards were actually finished, but the one on the right was flipped so the rose was closer to the folded portion of the card. That's OK. I like the way it looks both ways.

Also, the kit showed the rose portion as flush with the right side of the card base. Nuh uh. I'm a more centered person. Well, a little bit more centered.

Not only did I bring it in a little on the right, notice that the card base is the more geometric one.

I also flip-flopped the sentiment bases a bit. The one on the flagged base was supposed to be set to the top of the tag, not more centered like I did the one on the left.

Notice the bumpy strip along the left edge of the rose piece. That was supposed to be used as a base for other sentiments. Instead, I glued it to the back of the rose piece so much of it extended beyond the edge.. I tied my white baker's twine around just that piece. I then used the left edge of that to make even borders on the right and left sides.

Finally the card on the pretty yellow base. I got myself centered once again. Plus, I made it a vertically-oriented card rather than the horizontal one in the sample.

This was the card where I was supposed to use the bumpy strip underneath my sentiment, and NOT centered. So, once again, I did my own thing.

Sometimes being a little bit of a rebel is sort of fun. I am very happy with how my cards turned out.

Oh! One more thing! Did I mention the amazing stamps, the trio of leaves and the large flower, that came in the set!?! They are Distinktive Stamps, making them almost photo realistic. A truly lovely look. 

I can't wait to use these stamps on other projects! On these cards, the leaves and flower were stamped in Gray Granite, giving the cards a beautiful vintage look. However, I am picturing these roses in lots of other colors. I bet they'll look exquisite!

If you're not already a Paper Pumpkin subscriber, the May kit may be a good one for you to start with. You see, Shelli Gardner, one of Stampin' Up!'s cofounders and former CEO, who has a unique style to her stamping, is the main designer for the May kit! It promises to be a wonderful kit. 

But, in order to get your hands on the So Shelli kit, you need to get signed up for Paper Pumpkin by May 10. You can do that by clicking on the Paper Pumpkin link in the right column of my blog. You won't regret it!

Distinktive

Smiles.