Blossoms are a bloomin' for HSS Challenge 60!

Hi there blog peeps!  Ready for this week's challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments?  It's flower filled and fun!  How do you like the little snippet of my card so far?  I went with a retro-ish color scheme that's a little out of my element, but I'm pleased to say I'm really happy with the outcome!  Before you see the full card, let's take a look at the HSS inspiration photo:

Doesn't that look fun?  I'm a big fan of ranunculus, so I love this inspiration image.  Now, here's a look at my full card:

How do you like my retro blossom tribute?  I have been wanting to do this color combo since I saw a a textile pattern in this palette last year.  And, more recently I also saw this cute retro jacket from BodenUSA in the same color scheme:

{photo from bodenusa.com}

It's a little funky and maybe even a little on the bold side, but I like it!  Hope you do, too.  Now, back to my card -I used all kinds of fun flower punches and dies.  The large white flower background is from the Island Floral Bigz die and the Melon Mambo flower layered over top is the Fancy Flower Extra Large punch.  For the black flower centers an smaller Melon Mambo flowers, I used the Boho Blossoms punch, and then used the Itty Bitty Punches for the cute teeny blossoms.  I had fun with the Basic Pearls as my flower center embellies - I used all 3 sizes.  And, to create my backdrop, I used the Top Note Die on the textured More Mustard cardstock.  How about the cute little punch I used for my sentiment?  Do you recognize it?  It's a modified version of te Decorative Label Punch!  I loved the idea I got from Mary Fish's blog post, that I had to give it a try.  Here's one parting look at my card:

{Retro Island Blooms}

*Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes

*Cardstock: Textured Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Whisper White, Textured More Mustard

*Inks: Melon Mambo

*Accessories: Top Note Bigz Die, Island Floral Bigz Die, Boho Blossoms Punch, Itty bitty Punches, Decorative Label Punch, Basic Pearls, Basic Rhinestones

Thanks for peeking in today!  Would love for you to play along with us this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  How about hopping over to check out all the fun blossom inspiration projects from the rest of the DT and then sharing your own creation with us?  Can't wait to see what you all come up with.  In the meantime, leave me a comment and let me know what you think of this color combo - love it or no?  You can be honest :)

Paper Crafters Sampler March Sneak Peek

Hey friends! Just popping in with a quick post about the upcoming March issue of the Paper Crafters Sampler with the theme of Spring Reverie.  Here's a peek of my banner project for you.  

This issue is chock full of great projects for Spring.  Head on over to Paper Crafters Sampler if you'd like to find out more about the issue or subscribe!  You can reference promocode PCSRD.  Enjoy!  I'll catch up with you guys in a bit.

Springtime Butterfly {to die for!} for this week's HSS Challege 56

Hello there, blog friends!  Did you have a nice President's day weekend?  Hope so.  I have to say it was great to have a 3 day weekend to catch my breath for a quick second.  It has been soo busy busy for me behind the scenes!  Thankfully, I had some down time to do some crafting and got to make this fun card for this week's Hand Stamped Sentiment's Challenge 56, which is to create a card using a die cut:

I got the idea for this cute butterfly easel card from Bronwyn Eastley and I had to give it a try!  Here's a couple more pics for you:

This little easel card fits in a 3x3 envelope, so it makes a sweet little note to give to someone to brighten their day!  I used the Easter Blossoms stamp set to stamp the sentiment on the butterfly, and used the pretty blossom branch to stamp the envelope flap.

One last look for you - I tied the tiny tags in the inside of the butterfly card with the linen thread.  What do you think?  I really like the color palette and the dainty little flowers on the Springtime Vintage DSP add that soft vintagey feel.  Hope you like it!  Here's the recipe for you:

{Springtime Butterfly}

*Stamp Sets: Easter Blossoms, Tiny Tags

*Cardstock: Textured Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Springtime Vintage DSP

*Inks: Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake

*Accessories: Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Jewelry Tag Medium, 1/8" circle punch, Linen Thread, 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, 3x3 envelopes

Now, I'd love it if you guys played along with us this week!  How about giving it a whirl?  Would love to see the cards or projects you come up with using dies!  There are so many possibilities!!  Hop on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and check out the creative inspiration from the awesome design team!