Forever Blossoms

I can’t believe the weekend is over already. It flew past, but that’s probably because this was “reading weekend.” I didn’t get a whole lot accomplished, but it was fun to relax and read after my Zoom catalog launch Saturday. I did do a little bit this afternoon. Mike had to go to the office, so I tagged along so I could take the cards that used retired stamp sets off the display boards and replace with cards using new stamp sets and products. Oh, my – one of the boards looks very sad! Apparently I’ve been sending a lot of cards lately, because I know I’ve made more than I had to display. I’m hoping both boards will be full and ready for my first “in person” class for months. I’m so excited!

After looking at my meeting room, I’m confident we can maintain appropriate distance. Of course, all of my stampers know not to touch their faces or put their fingers in their mouths, and to wash their hands. I’m even working on a way to demonstrate the projects on “the big screen.” I am so looking forward to seeing everyone live.

I also have a Zoom class scheduled for out of town guests and for those who aren’t quite ready to join in person. I just want everyone to feel comfortable and safe.

I have my first order from the (almost) entire catalog coming tomorrow. I have worked with the Celebrate Sunflowers and Jars of Flowers so much the past month, so I wanted to do something new. Sometimes when a new catalog comes out, I forget about the beautiful products that carried over. So here’s a Forever Blossoms Card for you.

This set premiered in the January – June Mini Catalog, along with the coordinating Cherry Blossom Dies. Sadly, while the stamp sets and dies carried over, this is not one of the bundles that carried over. So while you won’t be able to enjoy the 10% discount, you can purchase the Forever Blossoms Stamp Set and the Cherry Blossom Dies separately.

Even though I’ve been a Stampin’ Up!® demonstrator for many years and I know the “stamp in water/color with alcohol; stamp in solvent/color with water” rules, sometimes I get caught up in the moment. I wanted a soft outline, so I stamped in Saddle Brown StazOn Ink, then colored with Stampin’ Blends. After I finished, I thought, “That really doesn’t look right…” And then reality returned as I was going over what products I used. If you stamp in a solvent based ink, the alcohol markers cause the lines to bleed. Oops. I carefully removed my image (of course, I had already adhered it to the card), then started over.

This time, I used Early Espresso Classic Ink on Whisper White Cardstock, and colored with Rococo Rose and Shaded Spruce Stampin’ Blends (and a little Daffodil Delight). Much better! Except I kept thinking, “Oh! I want to color the petals with Magenta Madness and the leaves in Just Jade!” Ugh. Tomorrow. Tomorrow I can do that, but none of the new In Color inks were ready for the preorder, so I had to wait until June. Still, I think the Rococo Rose and Shaded Spruce work well.

I die-cut the image with the Cherry Blossom Dies. Next, I cut a piece of Vellum Cardstock that was a little large than the blossoms and ran it through my embossing machine with one of the Greenery Embossing Folders. I love embossing Vellum Cardstock. It turns white when the embossing folder breaks the fibers.

I popped the blossoms onto the vellum with Stampin’ Dimensionals, then popped that with more dimensionals (behind the die-cut) on a piece of the In Good Taste Designer Series Paper. I layered that to a Just Jade card base.

For the sentiment, I stamped thanks from the Beauty Abounds Stamp Set, in Shaded Spruce Classic Ink on Whisper White Cardstock, then cut it with my Stampin’ Trimmer. I rounded the corners with the Detailed Trio Punch and added it to the card.

Remember that the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machines and the plates that go with them aren’t quite available yet. Hopefully, they’ll be available by fall. In the meantime, remember that if you host a minimum $250 class/workshop/party in June, you’ll get an extra $25 in Stampin’ Rewards. You can place an order with some friends, host an in person or online event, or place a large order yourself to enjoy this benefit ($50 minimum in rewards!). Contact me if you need ideas or want to schedule an event.

Also – look at your wish list. Is it huge? You may want to sign up and join my team of amazing demonstrators! If you join my team between now and June 30, you can add a Stamp/Tool Bundle to your starter kit. (You can see the bundles on pp. 168-169 and 173-179 in the Stampin’ Up!® 2020-2021 Annual Catalog.)

Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy. Have a beautiful day!

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