After a couple of weeks of not creating much, between work and Simon Says Stamp’s Create event, I’ve really been wanting to spend time making. I just got my order from the May Concord & 9th release less than a week ago, and the first product I started in with was the Spring Print Dies.

Once I get started with a product, it usually spurs more ideas and more color combinations and more things to try. I always say that is why my table has so much out. The leftover pieces from one inspire others, and I could go on and on for many cards. I often have to make myself stop and move on to other products of ideas…

In this case, I started with a fairly straightforward use of the die, but I wanted to add dimension. (This doesn’t show up as well in the photos as it does in person, but I think you’ll get the idea.)

I added dimension in three ways on this card:

• I ran part of the background through the die cut machine with one of the new stencils from this release.

• The front layer of the flowers I raised up by using liquid glue on the bottom edge, and the foam squares higher up the petals. Just as you’d see on real flowers. I did the same on the tips of the two leaves.

• Clear dew drops

After the more dusty (as Greg would call them) colors from my first card, and seeing the die cut parts I had left over, I decided I wanted to go more bold on the next one. I used the die cut panel on Dragonfruit and Lemongrass to pump up the intensity. You can always count on those two colors to do it. I mixed them with the pieces I had left and arranged the bold blooms on a dark Midnight background. The flowers are all flat this time, and simple - yet colorful. I added a layer of detail by embossing that Midnight panel with the other new stencil. The bright white greeting stands out well among the dark and saturated colors, especially with a few layers to give it dimension. A white frame around the panel finished it off well.

I still had so many pieces left over from the others, and had to make another. (See? I could keep going like this for days!) I wanted to use just the blooms, and I had the idea to combine it with an older stamp set. I stamped the stamp from that older set in grays on a white background, then layered bright cardstock blooms on top. Then made it a shaker card, and then decided it was WAY too much going on, so I took it apart. (I did take a picture first, which I’ll share later.)

The blooms and greeting I peeled off of that one (luckily they were on acetate, and I could) got re-assembled into this card.

If I’d realized I was going to put it on the darker, I might have left the Dragonfruit layer of the top of my greeting, but it was already glued on so I went with it. I do like the side highlight effect of the Watermelon layers behind it.

Thank you for visiting! I hope you get some time to create something soon.

Links are below if you’re interested in any of the products I used.

Supply list*:

(Listed by company, with links to Simon Says Stamp)

Concord & 9th -

• Spring Print Sentiments Die Set

• Dots & Blossoms Stencil Pack

• Stitched Polka Dot Card Front Die

• Short & Sweet Dies

• cardstock: Dragonfruit, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Nectar, Lemongrass, Rainforest, Peacock, Tidepool, Aqua Sky, Midnight, Blueberry, Harbor

• Ink: Watermelon, Tidepool, Blueberry

• Dew Drop Assortment

Gina K Designs -

• Connect glue

• Blending Brushes

Waffle Flower - Grip Mat

*Affiliate links do not cost you any more when you shop, but it is beneficial to creators when you use them, so thanks in advance!