The Beauty of Blooms

Hi everyone. I wasn't planning on posting today (you've seen a lot of me already this week and there's another DT post to come tomorrow) but I wanted to do a little 'public happy dance' and remind you about an unmissable offer.

First up don't forget the latest issue of Craft Stamper is out this week and I'm thrilled to have another project featured.
Can't tell you what an honour it is to see yourself in print.

Next, thank you to everyone who dropped by to congratulate me on winning Tim Holtz' March 2014 tag challenge for my Olympic inspired cards. That was definitely a much needed boost after recent events. Work on the April challenge is well under way here and I have to say this is one of my favourites of all time, and my twist is...

Now for that unmissable offer and it's incredibly time limited I'm afraid.

Do you love your Wendy Vecchi stamps and stencils? Wish you had more? Duhhh... silly question really but it's always a question of making those pennies stretch that bit further isn't it! So over at The Funkie Junkie Boutique it's the last day of the 'Friday Focus' discount on all individual Wendy Vecchi stamps and stencils, and that includes the SiSi's too!!! That's an extra 15% off the already discounted price, so you are virtually getting them at cost price!!! Even with postage/shipping added you'll be hard pressed to find a better deal. See them all at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

To whet your appetite here's a serving suggestion from me, and I've taken a leaf straight out of Wendy Vecchi's journal. Start with one of those fabulous Archival Ink backgrounds on Specialty Stamping Paper. Wendy's ink colours make this work perfectly as they are vintage yet bright and colourful (if that makes sense:) and so quick to create too.

I'd worked out where to put the sentiment, thin ribbon border and swirls in advance so they were stamped/embossed next. I love that Wendy has included these long borders in a number of her latest stamp sets as they are so versatile for edging, adding detail and even bending round corners.

Then I stamped the background pattern in the same ink with the fabulous Tic Tac Toe background stamp. Use it without a block to get a 'wonky' look, or just don't ink it up completely if a block is needed. I created an oval aperture stencil using a die through some packaging and laid the Yikes Stripes stencil over the top before applying the translucent embossing paste. Use the same aperture to draw in a line when the paste is dry.

Last up the flower. You know I love fussy cutting so it was great to stamp/emboss the flower head and stem a couple of times ready for layering up 'decoupage style'. Those black embossed lines made it really easy to paint the flower and stem with Archival Reinker mixed with surgical spirit (rubbing alcohol). A watercolour effect that is resistant to water! Genius if you want to add Distress Ink and water over the top after. Some gorgeous sheer ribbon (thank you Rosie) and matting/layering and that was it done.

I've put links to the products used below but do head over to the Friday Focus section at The Funkie Junkie Boutique if you want the best deals ever. And while you're there Linda has an April Tim Tag section set up too for those all important 'essentials'. Hey, it's better than chocolate for the waistline so spend your egg money on something that will last for all the right reasons :)

Hope to see you tomorrow. Take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Reinker - Red Geranium	Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink - Red Geranium	Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink - Watering Can	Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black	Stampers Anonymous Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi Stamps - Tic Tac Toe Background Stamp	Stampers Anonymous Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi Stamps - The Beauty of Art	Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Reinker - Orange Blossom	Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Reinker - Cornflower Blue	Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Reinker - Fern Green
Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste - Translucent	Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi Stencil - Yipes Stripes