HENRY THE HERON IN HIS DIORAMA HABITAT

It's Monday, so that means I have a new Bundle to share with you this week.  The bundle is called Heron Habitat.

I love making cards that include water scenes, so this bundle is right up my alley!

For today's card I combined it with the Layering Diorama Dies.  These dies always make me think of water.  Maybe because their shape looks like a pond or a lake.

To create the scene inside of the Diorama cut-out, I masked the sky and then used a Blending Brush and Balmy Blue ink to create the water. Although it doesn't show well in the photo, once the water was the color I wanted, I added a few strokes of Clear Wink of Stella to add some sparkle in the water.  

Once the water was completed, I masked the water and used So Saffron, Highland Heather, and Balmy Blue to blend the sky.

A layer of grass was adhered behind the Diorama cut out and then the two layers of Diorama Die Cuts were popped up over the water with dimensionals.  The Basic White layer was embossed with the In the Clouds embossing folder.

I stamped Henry the Heron with Crumb Cake ink and used my Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends to give him a little bit of color.  After he was standing next to the lake, Henry was feeling a little bit exposed standing there all by himself, so he asked that I hide his gangly legs behind some more grass and cattails.  He said that made him feel better!

Do you like the sparkly Blue Gems on the front of the card?  Are you wondering where they came from?  They were the free gift from Stampin' Up! for registering for the Creativity Now event on June 18.  Since I love sparkles, of course, I think these are beautiful.  Henry tolerated them.

To decorate the inside of the card, I first stamped a little grassy patch for Henry to stand on and then added Henry.

If you would like more details on how to make this card as well as all the cutting dimensions, you can download a free tutorial at this link.

With the exception of the Fine Sparkle Adhesive-Backed Gems which will not be available until July 2022, a complete list of the products I used for today's card is shown below.

Product List

Heron Habitat Bundle (English) [158897]	Layering Diorama Dies [155565]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272]	Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146982]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146990]	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105]	So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pad [147109]	Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [147103]	Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [147095]
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154830]	Neutrals Stampin' Write Markers [147158]	Brights Stampin' Write Markers [147157]	Into The Clouds Embossing Folder [159171]
Blending Brushes [153611]	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653]

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SENDING THANKS

Happy Friday!  I have another card today made with the Sending Smiles Bundle.  This card was made with a Technique that guarantees it will never turn out the same twice.  The technique is called Smooshing.  It is a little messier than the two previous Techniques I used this week, but I love the outcome.  Jackie Bolhuis shared this technique at last month's Spring Creativate Retreat.  I've used this technique previously in my monthly Technique classes, but what I love most about it is that no two cards ever turn out the same!  Everyone's card is uniquely different.

This is technique where I recommend making the panel larger than the intended final size.   I make this recommendation for a couple of reasons: 1) you can choose your favorite area when you trim it to the final size, and 2) you can use the "scraps" to decorate the inside of the card and the envelope.

The Smooshing Technique uses Reinkers, and the paper needs to be a type that tolerates getting wet.  For my card I used Shimmery White cardstock, but you could also use Watercolor Paper.  I do not recommend using regular cardstock as it doesn't really like to get wet.  Also, regular cardstock (like Basic White) absorbs the water/ink very quickly, so it doesn't "smoosh" around the surface.  It soaks in too quickly.

For my card I used Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana, and Daffodil Delight Reinkers, but play with any combination of colors you like.  You will also want to experiment with the amount of ink you use.  

To use this technique, you will need something that is non-absorbent like an Acrylic Sheet or Wax Paper.  You will add drops of ink to the non-absorbent surface and then spritz with water.  The amount of water you use affects how much the ink runs, so play with some Shimmery White or Watercolor scraps to see what works best for you to achieve the look you desire.  Less water will create a pattern that is more spotted because the ink will flow less.  More water will make the colors run together more.  There is no right or wrong way.  It just depends on the look you want.  Play, experiment, and have fun!

To decorate the inside of my card I used one of the "scraps" that I trimmed off when I cut my oversized technique sheet to size.  I bordered it with Basic Black and then matted the assembly to a Basic Black mat.  

In the photos, you can also see little peaks of the envelope which I decorated with another "scrap".

I hope you have enjoyed this week's cards with the Sending Smiles Bundle.  If you love flowers and a lot of sentiment versatility, you will want this set.

If you would like a FREE TUTORIAL for today's card, you can download one by clicking on this link.

All products used for today's card are shown below.

Do you have a long wish list from the new Annual Catalog?  Is your wish list over $100?  If so, don't forget, during the month of May there is a terrific deal on the Stampin' Up! starter kit. 

For $99 (which includes shipping), you can not only choose the normal $125 worth of products, but in addition to that you will also receive the In-Color Starter Kit for FREE.  Are you curious what is included in this FREE In-Color Starter kit?  

Download this flyer to learn more, but I'll give you a hint.  It is worth $66.50, so that means for $99 you will receive $191.50 worth of product.  Not only will you receive $191.50 worth of products for $99 (plus tax), but you will also get a 20% discount on future purchases!  This is an awesome deal!

Product List

Sending Smiles Bundle (English) [158707]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]	Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101910]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [147095]	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094]	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad [147115]	Granny Apple Green Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [147163]	Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [131164]
Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [119672]	Black & White 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Gingham Ribbon [156485]	Matte Black Dots [154284]	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653]

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SENDING BIRTHDAY WISHES

Today's card uses the Rubber Band stamping technique that Brandy Cox reminded me of during the  Creativate Spring retreat.  It's been a long time since I'd used this technique and I'd forgotten the unique look it gives.

To make the background I used Sweet Sorbet, Cherry Cobber and Calypso Coral Ink colors.  It makes a bright and cheery card, don't you think?

To make the background, just wrap several rubber bands around an acrylic block and use that as your stamp.  I used all the same size rubber bands because that is what I had, but you could also vary the sizes.  Once your block is wrapped, stamp multiple times in the colors of your choice until you get the appearance you like.   It can't get much easier than that!

The flowers are all stamped in Sweet Sorbet with Daffodil Delight centers and the leaves are Parakeet Party.  These flowers are amazingly easy to stamp and die cut with the coordinating dies 

I added a little double bow made with Sweet Sorbet Metallic Ribbon and colored some Rhinestone Basic Jewels with my Dark Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blend marker.  The clear Basic Rhinestones are a great embellishment because you can make them any color you want with your Stampin Blends.  Don't have Stampin' Blends?  A Sharpie Marker also works!

For the inside I stamped another Sweet Sorbet flower and then added a sentiment.  I like how the letters in this large "Sending" stamp sort of go up and down because if you don't stamp it perfectly straight no one will know.

I hope you like today's card with my flowers on a brick wall background.   If you haven't tried this technique with the rubber bands, I challenge you to try it.  You are going to like how quick and easy it is.  Be sure to try it in different color combinations.  I think it would also be a fun background for a masculine, cute or humorous style of card. 

If you would like a tutorial with the cutting dimensions and step by step directions one is available at this link.

A list of the products I used for today's card is shown below.

Product List

Sending Smiles Bundle (English) [158707]	Stylish Shapes Dies [159183]	Sweet Sorbet 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159268]	Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119685]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Sweet Sorbet Classic Stampin' Pad [159216]	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad [147083]	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [147101]	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094]	Parakeet Party Classic Stampin' Pad [159208]
Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154883]	Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder [149643]	Sweet Sorbet 1/8'' (3.2 Mm) Metallic Woven Ribbon [159200]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653]

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