Embroidered Blooms

Happy, happy, happy December!

It's happy time around here... time to roll out December's Papertrey Ink release :)
As tradition holds, we're bringing you a big ol' design team group post to celebrate. {For all of this month's new products, head on over to Papertrey Ink on December 15th.}

Today's post brings you projects featuring an all new set... Embroidered Blooms.

It sounds like such a pretty, feminine set, doesn't it?
And it so is.

But, seriously... all I could think when I spotted that "happy" sentiment was Duck Dynasty.

 

Now.

I know some of you are all, "Um... huh...?"

 

So let me just tell you... it's practically the greatest television show of all time.

Or at least my husband thinks so ;)

And, I can admit it... it's awesome.



 

I mean, if you love Downton Abbey then... wait.

Scratch that.

Bad example.

Duck Dynasty is pretty much like the anti-Downton Abbey.

In a good way ;)

{And I love both, so no hating here.}

 

So the deal with the guys of Duck Dynasty is that they make duck calls for a living so, obviously, they're *totally* into hunting.  Of all kinds. Including things like squirrels.  And frogs. 

 

The patriarch of the family is known for his use of the phrase "Happy, happy, happy."

And thus... these cards were born :)

 

I went for simple and masculine... basically going for something that my husband would appreciate receiving.

I started off with the repeated sentiment (Limeade Ice, Simply Chartreuse, and Ripe Avocado) and added the deer image from In the Meadow.  A little In the Meadow die cut grounds the deer with a place to stand. 

 

 

For card #2 I traded the deer for a duck image (from On the Farm) and added my own version of camouflage.  I flipped over a few of the Embroidered Blooms images (the smaller leaf images) and used the reverse side to stamp with.  

 

My goal was to just keep the spacing between the images somewhat uniform. I'm pretty happy with how my first attempt at camouflage turned out!

 



In my third card, I added a squirrel image (also from In the Meadow).  The Embroidered Blooms leaves soften the edge. 

The leaves and flowers in this set are separated into 2 or 3 parts so that you can mix up the colors between stamps.  I kept the colors of the leaves consistent with the variation of the colors in the sentiments... Simply Chartreuse and Limeade Ice on the upper leaves, Ripe Avocado and Simply Chartreuse on the lower leaves.

I like how repeating the colors kind of ties all the elements together.

I have to say... I really did enjoy taking this set in a bit of an off direction!  Always good to remember that these sets are meant for YOU to make them YOURS... anything goes.  Feminine sets don't have to stay that way.  Holiday sets don't have to stay that way.  You get the idea.

 

They're YOURS.

The design team's interpretation is just a starting point.

Stretch them out. Don't be afraid to make them work for you.

 

 

And now, for a different take...



Embroidered Blooms meets Ribbons & Bows.

I kept with a modern feel on this one... pairing one of those bold sentiments that I love from Embroidered Blooms with one of the delicate Ribbons & Bows images.

A little shadowing technique (definitely thinking Betsy's Make it Monday video inspired the shadowing!) on the sentiment adds some depth.  I used Soft Stone to stamp the sentiment the first time and stamped right over that with Smokey Shadow ink.

I mixed up the metallics on this one, using gold embossing powder on the ribbon and a little silver circle for the accent.  I know some of you think mixing metallics is a no-no, but no :)
Give it a shot.  Definitely a modern twist.

There you have it... my takes on Embroidered Blooms.  Check out what the rest of the team has come up with right here...
Nichole Heady

Betsy Veldman

Maile Belles

Dawn McVey

Ashley Cannon Newell
Heather Nichols

Melissa Phillips

Danielle Flanders

Cristina Kowalczyk
Erin Lincoln

All righty, folks... I'll be back tomorrow with more!
Until then, have a happy, happy, happy day :)



{Happy Happy Happy} cards

Supplies not available now but available 12/15: 

Stamps - Embroidered Blooms
Supplies available now:
Stamps - In the Meadow, On the Farm
CS - White, Kraft
Ink - Limeade Ice, Simply Chartreuse, Ripe Avocado, Dark Chocolate
Die - In the Meadow

{Elegant Thanks} card

Supplies not available now but available 12/15: 

Stamps - Embroidered Blooms
Supplies available now:
CS - White
PP - Recollections (glitter paper)
Ink - Smokey Shadow, Soft Stone, VersaMark
Other - Linen impression plate, Filigree Gold embossing powder, metal dot