Southern Dogwood -

In our part of the country, dogwood blossoms are one of the first real signs of spring. Wearing either white or pink, these trees present delicate blossoms that are as lovely as vintage linen. With a backdrop of other new foliage, dogwood blossoms are nature's forest crinoline. With that in mind, we have a new project...

 SUPPLIES

Stamps -
Southern Dogwood stamp set
"Flowers feed the soul" block stamp

Papers -
Split Pea card stock half-sheet, folded
White card stock - 3.75 x 5 inches
White card stock scrap - about 2.25 x 4.5

Inks -Versacolor Old Rose, Split Pea, Bamboo, Bark, Cinnamon, Green Tea; Encore Metallic Gold; and Archival Black

Tools -
Rectangular dies - I used Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangles LG #S4-142
Heart dies - I used Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Heart #S4-137
Cuttlebug embossing folder - Textile Textures

Embellishments -
Gold Paint Pen
VersaMark Pen
Chalks - Light Mauve, Yellow Orange, and Sage

INSTRUCTIONS -
Handmade "Designer Paper" card base - 

Use the VersaMark pen to scribble random marks on the 3.75 x 5-inch White paper. Scribble one way, then turn the paper and scribble on the remaining free space. You won't be able to see the marks you're making unless you turn it into the correct light. But don't worry about how the scribbling looks; we're just making undecipherable background marks. I wrote out the words, "Southern Dogwood," just because it helped to have a particular word in mind. If you are nervous about it, just write a word you're familiar with, such as your name.

After you make all your marks, use the Pink and Green chalks to colorize your markings and the surrounding area of the card stock.

Stamp a border using the following stamps and inks:

Mini Flower Cluster in Old Rose (you can stamp a second time before re-inking to create added dimension)

Mini Flower Cluster again, this time in Split Pea

Tiny Leaf in Bamboo

Mini Sprig in Cinnamon

Itsy Berries in Green Tea

Mini Sprig around the outer border of the paper only,this time in Gold ink.

Use the Gold Paint Pen to edge this piece.

Then use Black ink and stamp the sentiment in the center of the stamped panel. Line up the sentiment in a Heart die and run the stamped panel through the die cut machine.

Once the heart is cut out, edge the scallops on the panel with the Gold Paint Pen. Then set aside the base panel and stamp the Heart in the following stamps and inks:

Flower in Old Rose
Tiny Leaf in Green Tea, then again in Bamboo
Itsy Berries in Green Tea.

Then edge the Heart with the Gold Paint Pen.

Use a 1/16-inch punch to make two small holes at the base of the heart. Run cording through the holes and set aside for now.

Make the Rectangular Frame - 

Make a frame using two of the rectangular dies (I used a magnetic sheet to hold them in place while running them through the machine). Colorize the frame with the Yellow-Orange and Sage Chalks.

Then stamp the frame using the following stamps and inks:

Leaf in Green Tea and then again in Bamboo.
Itsy Berries in Green Tea
Edge the inner and outer edges of the frame, using the Gold Paint Pen. Then glue it to the card base.

Next, use some PopIt! Shapes to attach the Heart to the card base and glue down the cording.

The last step is to make some floral cut-out embellishments: on a scrap piece of White card stock, stamp some Flowers in Old Rose and the Leaves in Green Tea. Then cut out the floral clusters and use PopIt! Shapes to attach them to the sides of the Frame you made earlier.

Garnish with a few whispers of tiny-tipped crystal glitter glue and it's done!

What do you think? Just enter your comment in the comment section below for a chance to win the Southern Dogwood stamp set. Today's winner is Cindy L., who will be receiving the Floral Border set from last week's blog. Congratulations Cindy! 

Until next week, Happy Stamping from Susan and rest of the gang at Rubber Stamp Tapestry!

Comments

[Cindy L]

I won! I can't believe it! Thank you so much!
Susan, this card is beautiful. Thanks for all your inspiration.

[Debbie from Missouri]

Congrats to Cindy L.-sister!! I love the background paper you made by just writing words! How cool! I also like the frame that was made. And then, of course, I like the cut out flowers... and...I guess I just like this card! Nice job, Susan.

[Audrey Joy]

This card make you feel Spring. I love the colors.

[Linda w]

What a beautiful card. Never mind about all the snow that is coming. A bit of spring is always welcome.

stamp on...

[Ink-Pattie]

Beautiful--love all the dimension.

[Catharine]

I love this - Please please please put a book together of ideas..

[Christine Nixon]

Beautiful! I love pink dogwood and you make it look nearly like the real thing. Great tutorial! Would you consider telling where you get your cardstocks? Love the names of some of the colors you use but can't find them anywhere here in the area.

[Sarah from Missouri]

Yes! I agree with the book idea!

[Marion]

Heavenly! My favourite colour combination too... pinks and greens.

Thank you for another wonderful tutorial.

Marion

PS A Tapestry book would inded be wonderful. Thanks for the suggestion Catharine!

[jo]

Beautiful. You are so very talented!

[Laurie]

Love it! Definitely going to try a version of this one. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Michelle Adams]

WHat a beautiful card! TFS!

[Phyllis Freese]

I love dogwoods and this card is a beautiful reminder that spring will come eventually.

[cindy ridinger]

Wow!!! What a killer card. I forget to use all of the "old" supplies on my cards and pages.Thanks for helping me remember that it only takes a few extra minutes to make a WOW card.

[sue wisniewski]

What a lovely pink dogwood card. stamping sue

[MarylouMoroski]

WOW this card is beautiful and what a treat for someone to recieve for Valentine day or any occasion. I love the writing on C.S. with the versamark pen and chalking over it that really personalizes it,no two the same.
M.L.

[Phyllis M.]

Beautiful card, Susan. Love the background and all the pretty dogwoods. Book idea sounds very good indeed. Thanks for sharing.

[Sarah B]

What a beautiful card! The layers are so perfectly elegant and the subtle background paper can be kind of a personal secret! I will really have fun working with this layout and techniques too!

[Pat M.]

This card is just breathtakingly gorgeous. It really is springy and exactly what I needed as we are getting a lot of snow.

[Sharon Reeves]

I'm going to work on cards during this next "snow event". These are so inspiring. I love what you do!

[Jan Koennecke]

Everyone above has said everything I was thinking about this gorgeous card!!! I just finished copying all the instructions for it so will definely make this one. Just got my order from you yesterday, too. Can't wait to use those.

[Audrey]

What can I say? Absolutely beautiful!!

[Lynne K]

Very pretty card. A beautiful reminder that spring isn't far off.

[Susan Z]

I love the Southern Dogwood stamps!! Your card is so soft and Springlike (especially nice in this snowy weather). I'd love to own this set.

[Joanna Mackintosh]

Beautiful card, I'm assuming the cut-out heart is positioned back on top of the bit you cut it out from? covering the hole? Guess I'm going to have to invest in some heart nesties now too!!!