Hello, and welcome to another Ruby Tuesday! Last week I used a piece of Stella which I mentioned was not one of my favorites, but I thought, perhaps, in small doses I could manage to use it up. I'm determined to leave no Stella behind! I used one of those prints again today -- the orangish paper that forms the largest of the flower petals. I should probably apologize to Stella... it's not her, but me and my inept use of her paper that makes it less than desirable. Today, it looks a little more interesting to me, if only for the good, old-fashioned fun I had in exploring Stella's possibilities.
I ended up with this big, funky punchy flower. To make it even funkier and bring out Stella's rich colors, I gave each petal a double coat of Glassy Glaze (ultra-thick embossing powder). I pressed each petal individually into a Versamark pad, sprinkled with Glassy Glaze, embossed, then repeated the process. After each piece cooled, I bent them until the glaze cracked, then used a sponge dauber to rub on Chocolate ink. The ink works into the cracks and creates a more aged appearance. The ink won't stick to the glaze, itself, so excess was rubbed off with a tissue. Please click for a close up.
Just thought I'd share how I made the flower. It's not real complex or unusual, and certainly very quick to accomplish if you bypass the whole glazing process. First, I'd like to give credit where credit is due... I got the idea for the flower from this pattern in BasicGrey's Urban Prairie collection:
I found it easiest to start with a 3 /2" square of plain copy paper on which to lay out my pieces. Fold it in half and then again to quarter it.
- Open the paper flat on your table. The creases aren't very evident in this photo, but in real life they'll act as a placement guide for your petals.
- First punch a 2" (or larger) circle on which to build the flower. Spellbinders circle Nesties could be used, also. The scallops aren't necessary.
- Use repositionable double-stick tape on the back of the large circle to temporarily hold it in place in the center of the paper where the folds intersect.
- Apply adhesive to the circle edges, as shown. I used very sticky double-sided tape.
Punch 5 - 1 3/8" circles and lay them out as shown, adhered to the center circle.
Punch 5 - 1" circles in a contrasting color. Apply adhesive to the inner edge of each and arrange as shown.
Punch 5 - 1/2" circles and adhere as shown. See card photo for colors and appearance on finished flower.
The leaves are made from a heart punch.
For flower center, punch 1 1/4" and 1" circles. Results: Big, fun, funky flower.
The size could be changed by using different punches or, as I mentioned before, Spellbinders Circle Nesties would work, but the punches are quicker.
I finished the card off with a little Stella Ruby and River Rock textured on a chocolate base. All together I used seven punches on this card. I've always had a weaknes for punches... sigh...
Hope you enjoyed! Thanks for spending a little of your time with me and Stella today. Have a happy day!
Stamps: Retired SU! sentiment Paper: PTI chocolate, SU! River Rock textured, BasicGrey Stella Ruby designer paper Ink: Chocolate Chip, Versamark Accessories: PTI ribbon, rhinestones, Glassy Glaze, Scotch brand foam mounting tape, punches as mentioned in instructions
Totally awesome. You did her proud!
Posted by: SueB | 02/16/2010 at 01:48 AM
What a beautiful flower! Honestly Leslie you amaze me with your ingenius creations. It's mind boggling to me that you found inspiration in that tiny Urban Prairie print and were able to create such a magnificent glazed flower.
Posted by: Gabi With An Eye | 02/16/2010 at 06:16 AM
Wowzers that was fun to read about - and look at! You are so amazing....I LOVE how this turned out. Cool technique to glaze and then "antique" it. You did Stella proud I'm tellin' ya. Very, very cool card! So is there anything left of poor Stella? :)
Posted by: Karen | 02/16/2010 at 06:17 AM
What a neat flower-love the crackled antique look. Very creative you are!
Posted by: Bev | 02/16/2010 at 06:33 AM
I love it!
Posted by: Diane M | 02/16/2010 at 07:08 AM
how neat is that flower, great way to use up paper that your not sure of for backgrounds!
Posted by: Conniecrafter | 02/16/2010 at 08:51 AM
Love your flower and want to make some of them myself! Great job with the paper. How you used enough that Stella is out of your craft room. By the way, your directions were so clear and concise, too! Thanks.
Shirley L.
Roseville, CA
Posted by: Shirley Lee | 02/16/2010 at 09:23 AM
very cool! i love what you did!
i'll have to go through some of my papers that i just don't like (did i say that???) and try out my punches on them.
tfs, sandyh
sandyha@comcast.net
Posted by: sandyh | 02/16/2010 at 10:12 AM
Very beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Lynette | 02/16/2010 at 01:49 PM
I am not surprised that you are so creative with your punches and that gorgeous flower...although I must admit...I am a little envious!! So glad you shared this with us...I will have to try this one for myself! BTW...it is beautiful!
Posted by: velta | 02/16/2010 at 02:15 PM
So pretty and clever Leslie!!
Posted by: Cindy Haffner | 02/16/2010 at 08:54 PM
Now that is just too cool! Love the effect of the UTEE! Beautiful!
Posted by: Laura (scrapnextras) | 02/16/2010 at 10:27 PM
OMG Leslie! I thought there was a new punch out on the store shelves when I saw your card. Thanks so much for showing how you made this funky flower -love what you did and think it came out fantastic!
Posted by: nancyk | 02/17/2010 at 06:09 AM
Well, how cool is this?? I love it!
Posted by: Broni | 02/17/2010 at 10:10 AM
So pretty Leslie. What a unique flower - I just love the shine!
Posted by: Becca Feeken | 02/17/2010 at 05:24 PM
You clever girl you :)!!! Love your punched out flowers...this is a beautiful card!!! Hugs ~S~
Posted by: Silke Ledlow | 02/17/2010 at 08:24 PM
The most amazing and creative flower I have ever seen! Fabulous idea, Leslie! I would never think that it was made out of circle punches! Love the embossing too!
Thank you so much for sharing tutorial!
Posted by: Elena | 02/18/2010 at 03:27 AM
Another great use for the basic punches, thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Mary Satterfield | 02/18/2010 at 04:51 AM
Your punchy flower is sooo pretty in those papers, and the Glassy Glaze gives a perfect effect!! Such a pretty card, Leslie!!
Posted by: Rose Ann | 02/18/2010 at 04:08 PM
Wow I love this! What a fun & funky flower!! Hope you're doing well Leslie, sorry I've been so out of touch in recent months.
Posted by: Libby | 02/20/2010 at 11:31 PM