Shades of Summer: Bloom & Buds Card | Stephanie Guse

Hello crafters,

It's Steph here again, and I'm excited to share another cardmaking project with you! This month's challenge theme, Shades of Summer, inspired me to stretch beyond my typical colour palette. I usually gravitate toward soft and muted colours, so creating with this bright, vibrant summer palette was a fun creative challenge. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh colour combination to inspire a whole new look for your cards! 

Disclaimer: All of the products used for this project are linked below as clickable images. If a product isn't listed, it has unfortunately been discontinued. 

How to Create This Card

1. Cut and score a piece of white cardstock to create an A2 side-folding card base.
2. Cut a second piece of white cardstock to A2 size for the card front.
3. Ink blend Aquamarine ink along the bottom of the panel, fading the colour toward the center. 
4. Using Aquamarine ink, stamp a partial Bloom and Buds floral image in the bottom-right and top-left corners of the panel to create a subtle background.
5. Stamp the Bloom and Buds floral image onto white cardstock using Detail Black in,.
6. Use the coordinating stencils to inkblend:
   1. Stencil 1: Sparkling Rose
   2. Stencil 2: Bubble Gum (flower center) and Key Lime (stem)
   3. Stencil 3: Sweet Mustard (flower petals) and Mimosa (flower buds)
   4. Stencil 4: Sunshine
   5. Stencil 5: Key Lime
7. Die cut the ink-blended floral image using the coordinating die.
8. Die cut a white cardstock oval using the third-largest die from the Essentials Nested Elongated Ovals Blanket Stitched die set.
9. Adhere the floral die cut to the oval with foam adhesive.
10. Stamp the "just because" sentiment from the Cardinal Kiss stamp set onto white cardstock using Detail Black ink, then cut it out with the coordinating die.
11. Die cut a second sentiment and adhere it behind the stamped sentiment with liquid adhesive to add dimension.
12. Attach the layered sentiment to the floral arrangement on the oval.
13. Adhere the completed oval to the center of the ink-blended A2 panel using foam adhesive. 
14. Finally, adhere the finished panel to the card base to complete the card. 

I hope this card inspires you to embrace the bold, cheerful colours of summer and experiment with a palette that's a little different from your usual style. Be sure to join us for this month's Shades of Summer challenge-we'd love to see how you interpret the theme! Don't forget to share your creations with us for a chance to inspire fellow crafters.

Happy crafting!

Steph