To begin, I die cut 2 of all of the pieces included in the Coastal Cuttings Die; I accidentally ripped one of the main “bouquet” pieces, so I decided to pull it apart the rest of the way and just use some “sprigs” on the second card. I cut all of the pieces from white and then colored them with dye ink and blender brushes. I used liquid glue and small foam squares to assemble the flowers/bouquet. I set the flowers aside and got to work on the backgrounds.

The first card uses the full bouquet with a border of tiles created using the Checks Out Stencil and the Tile Style Stamp Set . Confession time: I can’t even begin to tell you how many “experiments” I did with these cute little tiles for my countdown projects and every single one ended up in the garbage. I felt really frustrated, but told myself to just wait to see how Betsy used them so I would know how they SHOULD look! Haha! Of course, she didn’t disappoint and I fell in love with her card using the colorful tiles, so that was the direction I headed with these tiles. I chose to use colors that I used on the flowers for continuity. Both cards use the same border, but I chose different stamps in different colors to add some variety.

I wanted to add a little bit more interest behind the large bouquet, so I cut a piece of white cardstock and then embossed it using the Shortbread Shapes: Rectangle Embossing Folder. I added a bit of the same yellow that I used on the stenciled tiles for some depth. I layered it onto the background using foam squares and then added the bouquet using additional foam squares. The sentiment is from the new Simple Everyday Sentiments and is heat embossed in white and then cut using the Shortbread Shapes: Rectangle Labels Die. I tucked it near the bottom and is attached with a double layer of foam squares.

My next card uses the same border as I mentioned earlier, but stamped in different tile images. I created a panel of yellow cardstock stamped with the Tile Style Background Stamp and layered that in the middle. Next, I die cut a piece of Canyon Clay cardstock using the Shortbread Shapes: Rectangle Labels Die and then heat embossed the sentiment using the Simple Everyday Mini Sentiments Stamp Set. My old eyes didn’t realize how much stray powder there was until I edited my photos on my big computer screen (woops!), but I actually like how it looks, otherwise I would have ripped it apart and started over! Haha! Sometimes those “mistakes” can turn out okay! I embossed the tile piece using the Shortbread Shapes: Rectangle Tiles Embossing Folder and then added it using foam squares.

I tucked the flower sprigs here and there until I was satisfied with the arrangement. I layered this card onto an A2 panel of Pure Poppy cardstock for some additional depth and to ground the card a bit more. In the end, the tile borders made me think of a patchwork quilt that has seen its fair share of summer picnics, campouts, beach days, fireworks, etc.

I had so much fun putting these two cards together and I hope it gives you some additional inspiration for all of your new goodies! Thanks for fluttering by!

     

I used the Citrus Fields Die for the lemons and additional foliage. I cut everything from white and then added the color with dye inks and blender brushes. I had a few daisies leftover from my release projects, which are cut using the Coastal Cuttings Die, so I added the pair for additional details. The finishing touch is the La Dolce Vita sentiment from the Rolling Hills Bella Terra Additions Stamp Set. I had a lot of fun with this project and I hope it gives you some additional inspiration for those of you who may be diving into the new release! Thanks for fluttering by!