Miss you zoo, flower thanks

I've been having a lot of fun making postage-themed cards lately, and I have two more to share today.

Supplies (all Stampin' Up!^®:
Stamps: Zoo Review, Lovely Little Labels, For the Birds
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze
Accessories: Postage Stamp punch, 1" square punch (for mask), Simply Scored tool, Blender Pen, Aqua Painter, This and That Epic Day washi tape, linen thread, paper-piercing tool, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dimensionals

The background was the trickiest part of this card. I tried using a Stampin' Spritzer first with Crumb Cake ink then Soft Suede ink (and rubbing alcohol), but I couldn't get a dark enough color. The spray was also too fine, since I wanted more of a splotchy look. So instead, I dipped the tip of an Aqua Painter in a bit of Soft Suede ink and lightly tapped it while I held it over the card base. Once I was happy with the look, I added a strip of washi tape near the bottom of the card. For the sentiment, I applied ink to just the words on one of the images from the For the Birds stamp set and stamped it above the washi tape.

To make the faux postage stamps, I punched a 1" square from a self-stick note to create a mask. I placed the mask on the cardstock, stamped the desired image, punched it out with the Postage Stamp punch and added the embossed lines. (For a tutorial with photos, see the "Faux postage stamp tutorial" post.) I adhered the four stamps to a 2" x 2" piece of Naturals Ivory card stock and then used a paper piercer to make the holes between the stamps. Using Dimensionals, I adhered the group of stamps overlapping the washi tape. To finish the card, I wrapped a piece of linen thread twice around the card front and tied it in a knot. I really love the way this card turned out; I don't know if I'll ever be able to send it to anyone!

Supplies (all Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Bright Blossoms, Lovely Little Labels
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Pear Pizzazz, Calypso Coral, Pink Pirouette, Crisp Cantaloupe, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pear Pizzazz, Calypso Coral, Pink Pirouette, Crisp Cantaloupe
Accessories: Square Lattice embossing folder, Sweet Buttons Emboslits die, white baker's twine, 1" square punch, Postage Stamp punch, Dimensionals

I like most of this card: the colors, the layout and, of course, the faux postage stamps. But there is definitely something missing on the right side. I thought about a few different possibilities -- a brad or a button, a few Candy Dots, a piece of ribbon -- but nothing seemed quite right. I had another idea tonight, though. I might try using the Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack to make a few tiny flowers (I think with Pear Pizzazz card stock) and then "scatter" them on the right side of the card, with maybe two or three near the bottom left corner. I could add small pearls for the flower centers, too. What do you think?


Thanks for stopping by!