Simple Does Not Mean Plain

Simple is a breath of fresh air. But simple does not mean plain. This card has just enough texture to make it interesting and white space for the eye to rest.

Here is today’s card.

embossed square with simple die-cut image and sentiment

Thick Whisper White cardstock:
- 4-1/4″ x 11″ scored at 5-1/2″
- 3-3/4″ x 5″ message insert
- 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ for embossing
DSP for die-cutting
Vellum for sentiment

Stamp the Good Morning Magnolia image onto the vellum panel using Basic Gray ink. The lines will be blurred by the Stampin’ Blends and the alcohol to create a faux watercolor effect.

Color the image starting with the lightest color. Use Dark Daffodil Delight for the center. Dip a fine-tip paintbrush into the rubbing alcohol and gently move the color. I added Champagne Shimmer Paint to my rubbing alcohol.

Next, color non-adjacent petals with Dark Flirty Flamingo. Gently blur the stamped line. Let dry and repeat on other petals. Do the same for the leaves. TIP: Blow into a straw to gently direct the ink flow in the desired direction.

Add a second layer of color after the image is dry. Repeat the process of alcohol painting and gently blowing the ink.

OPTIONAL: Pick up some clean rubbing alcohol with the paintbrush and flick it over the image. This will create small droplets that will lighten some areas by moving the color outward.

Adhere the vellum panel to the Basic White cardstock panel using Stampin’ Seal or a light amount of Multipurpose Liquid Glue. Add to Basic Black card base.

Stamp the sentiment in White Craft ink and heat emboss with with embossing powder. Trim to you liking. Add to card panel with small black Dimensionals.

Customize the message insert and the envelope with some flicks of color from the brush end of the Stampin’ Blends.

Emboss 4-1/4″ x 5-1/4″ panel with Dainty Diamonds embossing folder.
Die-cut the following squares from the embossed panel
- (1) 2-3/8″
- (4) 1″
Die-cut a leaf cluster from DSP using Forever Flourishing dies.
Stamp sentiment from Country Home stamp set using Versamark on Vellum.
Heat emboss with gold embossing powder.
Fussy cut ‘Thankful’.

ASSEMBLY

Layer as shown.
Use a little Multipurpose Liquid Glue behind the thicker parts of the embossing to attach the sentiment.
Wrap gold metallic trim from the Forever Greenery Trim Combo Pack around the square.
Add Dimensionals behind the square and layer onto the card base. TIP: Layer roughly 7/8″ from the top and both sides.
Add the smaller embossed squares to the edge of the envelope and on the message insert for customizing.

You can use any Designer Series Paper for the splash of color.

When I create, I usually have scraps of DSP. (I know I am alone in this … LOL!) Instead of tossing them in the trash, I take some time to die-cut leaves, flowers, or something that I know I will use in the near future. I encourage you to not overwhelm yourself with saving bits but maybe use the Forever Flourishing dies and keep a pile of foliage around. Now is a good time to stock up on DSP – The 15% off Selected DSP is good during the month of October ONLY! (See below for details)

I hope you enjoyed this sweet card. Simple does not mean plain but it does mean fewer pieces. I am working on a fun-fold card for my next post.

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