Welcome to the Control Freaks Blog Hop for April! This month, our theme is Flower Garden. The weather is starting to get warmer and flowers are blooming everywhere. At least they are in California, where I live. I’m so ready for the heat and Summer. In fact, I think my pool is ready for the first swim of the season!!! Yippee!
If you’re already following the blog hop, that means you just came from Wendy Weixler’s Blog at Wickedly Wonderful Creations. Isn’t she fabulous? Be sure to continue on by clicking the next button at the bottom of this post.
For my cards today, I decided to show a sneak peek of the Color & Contour Bundle from the new 2021-2022 Annual Catalog, which will go live on May 4, 2021. The photopolymer stamps include beautiful florals that are perfect for watercoloring, and the coordinating Scalloped Contours Dies include gorgeous scalloped layers. It’s really fantastic!
I designed two cards using different floral images from the Color & Contour stamp set and backgrounds cut from Playing With Patterns 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper. This paper will be retiring soon, so get it while you can. It includes beautiful watercolored prints that look great with this bundle.
For my first card, I embossed the floral image in white and then watercolored it with Polished Pink, Daffodil Delight, and Granny Apple Green ink. Because the image is free-form, I didn’t worry about staying in the lines at all. My goal was to color the entire area that I would eventually die-cut. Polished Pink is one of the new In Colors and it’s really bright and beautiful! I also used the coordinating cardstock to layer in the background.
After cutting the scalloped layer from Playing With Patterns Designer Series Paper, I used the splatter image to stamp with Coastal Cabana and emboss in white in the background. Then, the final touch was a pretty bow using Pool Party 3/8″ Sheer Ribbon.
For my next card, I used different floral images from the Color & Contour stamp set. I embossed some of the flowers in white and watercolored them with Fresh Freesia (another new In Color), Gorgeous Grape and Polished Pink ink. For another flower, I used a watercolor stamping technique to stamp the image with both Fresh Freesia and Gorgeous Grape ink.
I used the coordinating dies to cut the background layer from another sheet of Playing With Patterns Designer Series Paper and then layered the sentiment circle over a sweet little Fresh Freesia label. I also included some Fresh Freesia 3/8″ Open Weave Ribbon. This ribbon comes in all five of the new In Colors!
Another thing I really love about this stamp set are the delicate, scripty sentiments. They’re so pretty!
Next up for the Control Freaks Blog Hop is Cindy Elam at Heart’s Delight Cards. Be sure to click the button below and check out her amazing work!
Thanks for stopping by and hope my cards provided a little inspiration. Enjoy the rest of your evening!
