This card was made for a sketch challenge that had the option of using "throwback" embellishments such as brads.
I had just gotten the new Stampin' Up! (SU) "Poinsettia Petals" stamp set, so I knew I wanted the main stamped image to feature the poinsettia flower. I also have some of my 2018 SU "Joyous Noel" specialty paper with gold patterns, so chose the gold accented background paper, and decided that a white flower would look best with the paper. The flower was created by stamping the three different sizes of petals onto vellum cardstock (a bit sturdier than normal vellum) using Versamark ink. I then sprinkled white detail embossing powder on the stamped images and heat set them. I then fussy cut all three out and stacked them using Mini Glue Dots.
The three gold "berry" sprigs were created by stamping the berries in black ink onto white cardstock, then scanning them using my digital cutting machine. With that pattern saved in my machine, I then replaced the B&W image with a sheet of gold foil cardstock, and cut out three identical sprigs to tuck behind the poinsettia. The center of the flower has three white pearls.
The sketch required brads, bu I didn't have any gold ones, so dipped four brown ones I had into Versamark ink, then into gold embossing powder. While holding the brads with a pair of pliers, I then heat set the gold. I found that keeping the heat tool constating moving in a circular motion created the best finish. Also, while the embossing powder on the brads were still hot, I dipped them a second time into the powder and heat set again. Using a pair of craft shears, I snipped off the "tails" of the brads, and put two glue dots inside the back of each one to adhere them to the card front.
The final step was to cut a strip of gold foil cardstock for the vertical sketch element, then stamp the sentiment (also from the same "Poinsettia Petals" stamp set) onto white cardstock, and die cut out. To give more elegance and texture, I ran the die with the diecut still inside through my Big Shot a second time, but this time with a rubber mat underneath so the beautiful embossed edges would show up. This sentiment piece was attached to the card front using glue dots as well.
I am rating the difficulty of this card as a "3" out of a possible "5", but it could easily be a "2" if you have the stamp set matching dies to cut out the flower and the sprigs, as well as having gold brads on hand without having to create them.
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2020 GMT Views: 1951
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