Thinking of SPRINGTIME!

Happy Tuesday Blogging Friends!

My inspiration piece for Dies R Us today is all about the Springtime ... 

for that is what's utmost on my mind these days!

Very cold & snowy here in Ohio, USA this year so I'm ready for blooming trees and singing birds!

I just love being able to put different dies together to create a little scene!  And that's exactly what I've done for you today!

There are several dies used on today's card and they can be purchased through our DiesRUs Store.

Spellbinder Shapeabilities - Fancy Lattice #S5-152

(Once die cut, I cut it in half lengthwise 

to use on 2 different projects.)

Poppy Stamps - Carolina Birdhouse #928

Poppy Stamps - Peaceful Bird #929

Memory Box - Dogwood Blossom #98475

Cheery Lynn Designs - Sentiment Frame #2 - #B190

click image to enlarge

You can add dimension & texture to this Dogwood Blossom die cut 

by simply using a stylus and a soft foam mat to 'break down' the paper fibers.  Here's a quick photo tutorial on how I created my 'pink' Dogwood Blossoms.

Step 1.  
Die cut your LEAVES & STEM portion onto green card stock.  You can use a scrap if you have it.  As you see I have used a scrap that was a little small for the entire flower portion of the die ... that's okay because it will be covered.  I'm more interested in having the leaves/stem portion from the green card stock.


Step 2.
Use a small scrap piece of white card stock to die cut the FLOWER portion of the die.  It's okay if you get a small section of the stem ... you will be cutting it off later.


Step 3.
If you are going with the look of a 'Pink Dogwood', you will want to sponge the edges of your flower petals with your favorite shade of pink ink and a sponge dauber.  Leaving the center white so you can then add the flower 'stamen' using any type of markers as I have here.  I used Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.  If you're not sure of the color for some of your flowering trees or flowers ... simply Google the flower/tree name and it will show photos to help you make a more authentic color choice.

 Step 4.

Next you simply glue your colored dogwood flower over top of the one on your original die cut piece.  Remembering to clip off that little piece of stem right before you do.  This will also help you line up the petals.

 

 Step 5.

Now is when I used my stylus on a soft foam mat to 'condition' my flower petals and leaves.  Just simply press  down around the outside edges and it will start of curl & wrinkle which gives you a more realistic look.  In this photo you can see the difference. 

The flower on the left was NOT conditioned ... still looks very nice ... BUT ...

the flower on the right WAS conditioned with the stylus which helps give more life to your floral die cuts.  It's nice to have a couple different options when using your dies.  

This is a fun one I think!

 So many fun and wonderful things you can do with die cuts.

DID YOU NOTICE?   I 'paper pieced' the birdhouse!  And, was able to use more of the scrap pieces of card stock and design paper that are laying on my work table.  That is another fun die to play with ... so many possibilities! 

With the remaining flowers and the other half of the fancy lattice, I created this simple yet beautiful card:

I hope you've found inspiration in my card creations today.  

Please be sure to scroll back through our blog for more wonderful die cutting ideas 

and inspiration from my team mates.  

Come back tomorrow when Sherri will have another wonderful creation to share and

I will be back next Tuesday. 

But right now, I'm headed over to the Dies R Us store to see what's new ...

won't you come join me?  I hear they've added even more NEW BRANDS!!

Darlene