Blossom Petals punch | The Maui Stamper

I saw this card a couple of weeks ago on Regina’s blog and knew it would be perfect for this week:

NO Stamps!
Whisper White, Shimmer White, Marina Mist, Pear Pizazz and Daffodil Delight card stock
1/8 inch white taffeta ribbon
Blossom Petals and Two Step Bird punches
Big Shot, Lattice Bigz die and Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing folder
bone folder
Tombo the Wonder Adhesive

I immediately visualized this card as a tall slender card instead of the traditional 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card – it fits inside a small, open-end envelope. I made changes to the color scheme and put the greeting on the inside, but this is actually quite faithful to Regina’s version. The Lattice Bigz die is the basis for the cross.

The lilies are the sort of thing that you could do quickly, or you could agonize over for thirty minutes, and in the end you wouldn’t be able to tell the two apart. (Choose the first option.) I curved the edges of the smaller, rounder petal from the Blossom Petals punch with the bone folder, used tweezers to put a sliver of Daffodil Delight in the center, and then pinched the base together to form the lily shape. It works best if you trim the point from the bottom of the petal.

I’m a cradle Catholic, born and raised. Went to Catholic elementary school, participated in youth organizations through high school and college, married a cradle Catholic boy and continue an active practice of my faith. Being Catholic is as much a part of me as my goofy sense of humor and the shape of my face. Every once in a while, a card takes on a meaning larger than just paper and accessories, and this was one of those cards. Making this card was a meditation and I hope you enjoy it. To my Christian friends and readers, Happy Easter. To all, Happy Spring.

The Blossom Petals punch from the Summer Mini catalog inspired me to think about a flowers class…one that would show lots of ways of embellishing with flowers. The Bloomin’ Madness class last Saturday was the result, and one of our projects was a bookmark:

Charming and All Holidays Stamp sets
Shimmer White and Baja Breeze card stock
Baja Breeze and Rose Red Classic ink pads
Big Shot and Two Tags Bigz die
Blossom Petals and 1 inch circle punches
Vintage Flower Adornments
Crop-a-dile
White 5/8 inch satin ribbon
Tombo the Wonder Adhesive

Peggy’s idea was to use this as a bottle tag when you give a gift of wine. I like the way that woman thinks.

When I construct a flower like this, I invariably start with a small circle of cardstock. I get enough Tombo (the Wonder Adhesive) all over my fingers as it is without having to keep track of all the pieces. The punched circle provides a platform to build on so that I can concentrate on getting Tombo on just the ends of my fingers instead of halfway up my arms. (Don’t laugh. It’s been done.)

Those little Adornments have really grown on me – I only have a couple left from the package of 24. They’re not being carried over into the Summer Mini catalog (which I have in my hot little hands) and we can only hope that they’ll make an appearance in the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog. Honestly, I would love to be in on one of those meetings when they decide what stays and what goes. Is it based on sales? Trends? Shelli’s favorites? A dartboard? Seriously, you’ve got to wonder sometimes. (Don’t get me started on Branch Out.) Make a note of June 1 on your calendar, though, because that’s the traditional release date for the Retirement list for the current year catalog.