WATERCOLOR DAHLIA

Do you remember when I recently told you that Stampin' Up!'s Sale-A-Bration celebration will be ending soon? Well, that "soon" is coming up quickly! In fact, next Thursday, September 30, is the last day to take advantage of the fun this promotion offers.

During Sale-A-Bration, for every $50 you spend, you get to choose from the SAB brochure a free item, depending on the size of your order. Cool, eh?

Well, when I previously talked about Sale-A-Bration ending soon, I had featured a card in which I'd used one of the beautiful stamp sets available during this promotion, Delicate Dahlias.

I thought I would throw one more card at you using that same stamp set, only with a much different look than the previous one:

This card, of course, is one of my favorite card forms to make: a gatefold card. 

In the photos, it may look as if the left side of the card is darker. Both sides are the same lovely Balmy Blue. When taking the photos, the right side was closer to the window, which explains its brightness.

The focal point of the card did take a few steps to create it. But, if I may say so myself, I think it turned out to be worth it. 

A closeup of the focal point:

To add a little interest to the Balmy Blue sections, I embossed them with the Painted Texture embossing folder. I didn't want to add just TOO much interest because then I run the risk of diminishing the importance of the main part of the card.

Following is a detailed tutorial on how you can create a card similar to mine. If you don't have the Delicate Dahlias set (yet!) you can use other stamp sets in its stead.

SUPPLIES:

Basic White cardstock

Balmy Blue cardstock

Balmy Blue ink

VersaMark ink

Waterolor Shapes stamp set (page 102, Annual Catalog)

Sharing Sunshine stamp set (page 39, Annual Catalog)

Delicate Dahlias stamp set (page 14, Sale-A-Bration Brochure)

Die cutting machine

Painted Texture embossing folder (page 155, Annual Catalog)

Layering Circle Dies (page 163, Annual Catalog)

Seasonal Labels Dies (page 18, Mini Catalog)

Heat Tool

Gold Embossing Powder

Metallic Pearls (page 143, Annual Catalog)

DIRECTIONS:

Start with a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of Basic White Cardstock. With the Simply Scored Tool, score at 2 1/8", flip it completely around and score again at 2 1/8". Fold both these flaps inward to form the gates of your card.

Cut two pieces of Balmy Blue cardstock that measure 1 7/8" x 5 1/4". Emboss these strips inside the Painted Texture embossing folder. Adhere these two pieces to each of the "gates" you created with your scores.

Using a piece of white cardstock that is about 3 1/2" square, in the center stamp in Balmy Blue the large round shape from the Watercolor Shapes stamp set.

In VersaMark ink, stamp the large outlined dahlia from the Sale-A-Bration set, Delicate Dahlias, centered upon the circle. Immediately cover the stamping with gold embossing powder and use the Heat Tool to set the embossing.

Use the scalloped circle from the Layering Circles die set that measures about 3" in diameter and cut out the embossed flower.

Adding adhesive only to the back left side of the circle, place the circle approximately centered on the card onto the left gate.

On a scrap of white cardstock, stamp "thank you" from the Sharing Sunshine stamp set in Balmy Blue. Die cut the sentimennt using the appropriate die from the Seasonal Labels die set. Putting adhesive only on the back right side of the label, add it to the right gate.

Finish with a gold Metallic Pearl on either side of the words to echo the gold in the embossed flower.

Watercolor

Smiles.