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Sunday, July 9, 2017

Climbing Berry Orchids - PP352

Hi friends!  I took a short unplanned break while family was in town for my hubby's 50th birthday!  I'm back today at The Paper Players with a pretty monochromatic color challenge from lovely LeAnne:
 I combined it with the awesome sketch this week at the Global Design Project:
Todays colors seemed like the perfect opportunity to play with my new stamp set, Climbing Orchids. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this set.  Not only is there nothing else like it in my collection but it's also photopolymer (love) and has coordinating dies (double love)!
The monochromatic color palette provides the perfect combination of colors for shading--each one slightly darker than the next.  I used the lightest shade, Sweet Sugarplum, for the base color of the orchid bloom.  Berry Burst was used to stamp the flower petals and Rich Razzleberry shades the tiny centers of the blossoms.  Not wanting to bring in another color, I also thought the dark Rich Razzleberry made the perfect stem for the flowers. It's actually a die from another set called, Seasonal Layers Thinlits.
I thought the plain white background set off these colors nicely but it also needed a little something....I washed the card base (Thick Whisper White cardstock) with Wink of Stella and the effect is gorgeous IRL.  Difficult to capture in a photo but it gives a soft shimmer to the background and just a little bit of interest.  Another tip, the retired gold stripe vellum was attached to a scrap piece of white cardstock and then popped up on dimensionals.  Attaching it to the cardstock gives it weight so it doesn't sag when popped up and also hides any adhesive which would otherwise show through the vellum.
Another cool tip....extend the use of your photopolymer stamps by using the solid back of the stamp! For the inside of the card, I needed a solid base of Sweet Sugarplum.  I flipped over the stamp and attached it to my clear block with the wrong side facing up.  I stamped first in Sweet Sugarplum then, took the stamp off the block and reattached it to the block right-side up.  Next, stamped the details of the image in the darker shade of Berry Burst for a full color orchid.  Here's a couple photos to illustrate:
 
Although they started last week, this is my first week playing alongside our two new Guest Designers, Annie & Jan!  Along with returning GD, Deanne, I am so happy to be crafting with all of you!  Check out all of our team's amazing works over at The Paper Players.  Maybe you will be inspired to play along before the challenge closes on Friday, July 14th at Noon (PST).  Thanks for visiting!

Edited 7/11/17: So excited that my card was chosen as a #GDPwinner at The Global Design Project--wow!  Many thanks to the team for selecting my card.  There are always so many gorgeous entries, it's an honor to be selected!

The Paper Players Design Team 

17 comments:

Jaydee said...

Great tips, Nance - especially the one about flipping over the stamp when you need an outline! What a gorgeous card. The gold vellum works perfectly to showcase your gorgeous orchids - and with the sketch. Beautiful
Hugs
Jaydee

barb mann said...

Beautiful card Nance! GREAT TIP too. I've done that by accident - now I'll do it on purpose! TFS!

Linda Callahan said...

Oooo Nance I love this.......sooooo elegant!

~amy~ said...

This is a beauty!

Diane - oliver.mdiane@comcast.net said...

Nance when I saw this set I just KNEW YOU would want it... The card is gorgeous and the color combos works spectacularly... wowzer all the way! The gold vellum sets off the whole theme and I love the touch of a few dew drop sequins. Of course the inside is lovely too.. and what a great tip about flipping the stamp. Hugs.

PS: Happy Belated 50th to your hubby!

Brent Scheffer said...

Wonderful work on the Spring flowers! Congrats on the GDP094 win?

Nancy said...

I know you were anxious to get your hands on this new set and you certainly did it justice, it's beautiful and such good tips too!

LeAnne said...

What a stunning card....I have to admit I am not an orchids fan, but this is really, REALLY pretty! I am thrilled at what you've done with these colors! And what a cool tip, using the backside of your stamp! I have done that....but not intentionally, LOL! I will have to look & see what sets would work with that technique!

Joanne James - The Crafty Owl said...

Be still my heart - this card is drop-dead gorgeous and a worthy #GDPWinner this week Nance! I have been so on the fence as to whether or not to invest in this set, but must admit your card might just sway me! That orchid in these colours is stunning. I love the gold striped vellum panel and thank you for the cool tip on reversing the stamps - it works a treat!

Jan Clothier said...

Those colours look so amazing with the gold and white. Glorious!

Annie S. said...

Thank you for the warm welcome. I'm so humbled to be able to play along with such talented designers! Your card is stunning with so much depth and texture. Love the idea of backing the beautiful gold striped vellum on cardstock! Thanks for the tips 😊 ~ Annie

Brent Scheffer said...

The Climbing Berry Orchids are great! Lots of dimension!

Robyn Oliver said...

Truly gorgeous card, Nance

3treescreations@gmail.com said...

Oh so pretty!!! Loving the added vellum layer!

Claire Broadwater said...

Nance, this is STUNNING! I love those gorgeous orchids! They look real! The gold and white is just fabulous behind them. They pop off your card! WOW! I hope you have a fantastic weekend, My Friend! XX

stampwithsandy said...

Nance, your orchids are so beautiful and you totally rocked the sketch! Awesome card!

kay mcbride said...

Great tips and beautiful card. I have some of that vellum and now I have a good use for it! Never thought about using the back of the stamp,great tip. TFS
Hugs
Kay