Garden of Bee Balm

For a change of pace, today's card takes a turn from the brilliant colors of summer to the muted tones of bygone days, as vintage as the song of the fleeting whip-poor-will. The whip-poor-will is a curious bird. It sports feathers in muted browns and it perches parallel to tree branches, making it difficult to see. It nests on the ground and lays eggs in pairs. Populations are diminishing and it's really special now to hear the song of this little bird.    

Stamps -
Garden of Bee Balm stamp set
“happy day” block stamp

Papers -
Half-sheet of any color, folded (will be card base)
Rose designer paper quarter-sheet
White card stock quarter sheet
White card stock scrap
Brown card stock scrap

Tools and Embellishments -
Cuttlebug embossing folder - “Birds and Swirls”
Scalloped Oval Die – I used Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Ovals (S4-111)
Gold Paint Pen
Ribbons

Inks -
Versacolor Cinnamon, Ash Rose, Pinecone, Bamboo; Encore Metallic Gold

Instructions -
Make a hole in the center of the card base by running the Rose designer paper through the die cut machine using the Scalloped Oval die. Make the hole just a tad above center. Then use the Gold Paint pen to edge around the scallops of the hole you just made.

Use the Gold ink pad to scuff some of the raised areas of the embossed card base, especially around the edges. Set aside for now.

Take the White quarter sheet and stamp the following in an oval pattern. Stamp the first impressions at the North, South, East, and West positions to set up your wreath and then fill in from there.

    

Stamp the Bee Balm in Cinnamon ink.

Stamp the Bee Balm again, this time in Pinecone.

Then stamp the Berries in Ash Rose ink.

Stamp the Small Bee Balm in Umber ink.

Stamp the Leaf in Bamboo ink.

Then stamp the Sprig in Pinecone ink.
Glue this stamped panel behind the Scalloped Oval hole on the quarter sheet.

Tie the ribbon around the quarter sheet and then glue it to the card base.

Medallion
Next, make the square medallion...

On a White paper scrap, stamp the sentiment stamp in Pinecone ink. Then use the Leaf and Bamboo ink to make a background. Use scissors to trim around the sentiment. Then edge the little square with the Gold Paint Pen. Then glue this piece to the Brown card stock and trim the excess.

Glue the medallion to the card base and you're finished!

So what do you think? Just enter your comment in the comment section below for a chance to win the Garden of Bee Balm stamp set. Today's winner is marypat, who will be receiving the Garden of Summer Mums stamp set from last week's blog. Congratulations marypat!

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

Comments

[Bette]

Another beautiful card. I learn something new every time. This time was scuffing the 4 corners with the gold ink pad to give it the antique look. Happy stamping!

[Aunt Min]

What a lovely, soft color combination! I normally think of bee balm in that "look at me red" shade. Thanks for helping me think beyond the literal.

[Mary Lou]

Thanks for another lesson about how to do these things!!!!!

Mary Lou

[chaun]

Love the subtle colors used!

[Elaine Allen]

Susan -

Oh I love this card! The colors are so reminiscent of Victorian times. It is elegant and yet sweet. It just charmed me. As always, your cards are just lovely. Thank you for sharing with us.

Elaine Allen

[Catharine]

Just gorgeous.

[Michelle Adams]

This is a stunner! WOW!

[Carolyn J Gardner]

I like this card, but the Dragonflies at Dusk card really jumps out when you see it! The colors are brilliant and of course the cutwork adds a whole new dimension to the card.

[Audrey]

Beautiful card. Just love it! Thanks for more uses of your great stamps!

[sue wisniewski]

I like the vintage look and the use of pink. thanks for sharing, stamping sue

[Sarah B]

Second Carolyn's comment..I really like this card but the dragonflies sample wowed me. Maybe I am in a blue mood! Thank you for giving us multiple samples each week. There is always at least one that really speaks to me.

[Anna Matthews]

Beautiful card. I love these colors and the scuffing!

[Carol Lecher]

Elegant! The colors especially the gold make this very chic. I may have to break down and get a cuttlebug; the background embossing is great.

[Lynne K]

Lovely! The soft muted colours are gorgeous, and I particularly like the embossed background.

[NWFlamingo]

The rose and gold color combination is so unusual, but very pleasing.

[Denise Bryant]

Love the vintage look with the pretty colors. Great tip about adding some color from the gold ink pad to the embossed areas to show off the embossed design too. Your tutorials are always so informative.
DeniseB

[Susan S.]

These are the kinds of cards I love - where the ink does all the work and makes everything rich and dreamy. Nice stamp set too with all the asymmetrical lines and versatile images that can be used with other sets.

[Judith -Overland Park, KS]

Love the card and all the tips on how to do this.

[Sue D]

Very soft muted card--my bee balm is blooming right now.

[Mary Mc]

Susan, I love this set. The gold ink pad on the four corners is beautiful. The pink/gold combination pops.

[Mary from Missouri]

I like the birds and swirls!

[Shirley Lee]

What a pretty card. I love how you colored the Birds and Swirls background. Again I would like to ask you how you get such even coverage with your gold pen. Your projects always look so perfect!
Shirley L.
Roseville, CA

[AK Donna M]

I really like this pink & gold color combination and just the whole look. Thanks for another great tutorial.

[Wendy Bekx]

The pink, gold and green is really pretty together! I like this a lot.

[Margaret McGlaun]

Lovely! I like the embossed birds and their emphasis with the gold. The dark ribbon really sets it off.