NOTEWORTHY SUNFLOWER

I know this is probably a crummy way to start a blog post, but I am just not sure how I feel about this card.

Originally, I'd thought the combination of Glimmer Paper and Stampin' Blends imagery would be effective. But, now that everything is put together, I, as I've already said, am just not sure.

Once the card was "finished", I'd only had the Gold Glimmer Paper in the bee and behind the sentiment. Something just did not feel right with the sunflower. I finally thought that if I used a 1/8" hole punch to create lots of little dots from the Glimmer Paper and adding them to the center of the sunflower, this would bring everything together. 

Unfortunately, those dots seem to clash with the brown I'd colored the center of the sunflower with. Now, that I have in my possession the ten new neutral Stampin' Blends, I realize that there would be several of the browns that would have been a much better fit with this particular hue of gold.

One thing that I should mention, if you haven't already learned/heard this, is that if you are going to emboss an entire panel of cardstock, do the stamping first! Have you ever tried to stamp over embossing? Not pretty.

At this point, I'm not sure if you even want to know how to make a card such as this one; nevertheless, I am including a tutorial to do so.

SUPPLIES:

Mango Melody cardstock

White cardstock

Black cardstock

Gold Glimmer Paper

Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Stampin' Blends:    Light and Dark Mango Melody (unfortunately not available anymore)

                               Light and Dark Soft Suede (one of the new flesh-colored Blends would work better)

Celebrate Sunflowers stamp set (page 35, Annual Catalog)

Enjoy the Moment (retired)

Die Cutting/Embossing Machine

Subtles Embossing Folder (retired)

Iconic Dies (unfortunately retired)

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

INSTRUCTIONS:

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

To this card base, add a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of black cardstock.

You will be doing the main layer on a piece of white cardstock that measures 3 3/4" x 5". Stamp the large sunflower in Memento Tuxedo Black ink in the center. Color the sunflower using any method you are comfortable with.

Emboss this panel with the Subtles Embossing Folder.

Using Gold Glimmer Paper, die cut the bumblebee. Use a Mini Stampin' Dimensionals to add him hovering over the sunflower.

In black ink, stamp a short sentiment onto a piece of white cardstock that measures 1/2" x 1 1/2".

Cut a 3/4" x 3 1/4" piece of Gold Glimmer Paper and add it to the bottom of the card. Adhere a 3/8" x 3" piece of black cardstock on top of the gold. To this, adhere the sentiment.

With a 1/8" hole punch, punch out five dots from the Glimmer Paper. Add these to the center of the sunflower to carry the glimmer throughout.

Seriously, does this card make your eyes hurt? What would you change about it? Or should I just garbage it?

Glimmery

Smiles.