Garden Pleasures

Welcome to The Card Concept Challenge #155 called Garden Pleasures. It is hard not to be inspired by this gorgeous picture:

Honestly, my first inspiration was from the Black-Eyed Susans which are my favorite flower, along with Red Geraniums. I knew I wanted to watercolor a grouping of flowers and chose Sugarpea Designs Floral Envie Stamp with its coordinating die to begin this Clean and Layered Card. It has a Black-Eyed Susan and Poppies, so I was happy with the bright colorful florals.

The die also cuts out the word "Smile" with a shadow, as well! Although I didn't use it on this card, I always like this choice, shadow/no shadow, for a word die.

Of course I used Ranger's Watercolor Paper (smooth side), stamped with Altenew's Obsidian Black Ink, quickly sprinkled Altenew's Crisp Clear Embossing Powder on it and heat set. This is my go to start for most watercolor projects.

Why? I love the Ranger Watercolor Paper because of it's bright white, the options of smooth or textured paper, holds water beautifully and doesn't warp much for card making. Altenew's Obsidian Black Ink is a crisp, very black ink, which stays wet just long enough so you can clear emboss it. It's easier to watercolor with embossing lines separating the design.

To watercolor, I used Altenew's 36 Watercolor Pan set:

The background is this beautiful Cover-A-Card Houndstooth Stamp from Impression Obsession stamped with Scrapbook.com's Pink #1 Ballet Slipper:

What a pretty pink and these are hybrid inks so they dry very quickly - no smudging!

The sentiment of the envelope comes from SugarPea Designs Birthday Balloons stamp set. I love the font, a little funky, but not childish.

To put the front together I used a gold frame I had in my stash. My usual process is to color images and then figure out how to put them together with some bits and bobs on my craft desk. I try them out until I like what I see. Fun!

I cut the A2 front piece with SugarPea Designs Card Builder II which I've used many many times. Just love the delicate little pin dots around the edge of the panel.

You can see the tiny pin dots here and the shine of the gold frame:

Sometimes I like to have a serious card on the outside and a fun, punny sentiment on the inside for a bit of a surprise. This funny sentiment comes from Art Impressions' Never Too Old Laugh Lines stamp set:

Here is the set with it's fun sentiments:

Thank you so much for joining me today on my card making journey. I hope you have a chance to join in and create using The Card Concept's photo inspirations!

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