The Simply Succulents stamp set has outlines for succulents which give you the potential to use the Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Markers to create life-like succulents. The technique for today is blending the Blends.
The Simply Succulents also has some great sentiments. Today’s card will be a note of gratitude.
I started this project by doing a Google search of images of real succulents. I used those images as models for my coloring.
Measurements
Measurements: Just Jade Card Stock (CS) card base: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches with a score line at 4 1/4 inches; Basic White CS: two at 4 x 5 1/4 inches, 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 and 2 1/4 x 3 1/2 inches.
Stamping
To start out, use the Memento Black ink to stamp the two smaller succulents onto the 2 1/4 x 3 1/2 inch Basic White CS. Note: When using alcohol markers, you will need to use Memento ink, or another dye ink, so that when you are coloring with the alcohol marker, the outline will not bleed into the surrounding paper.
To continue to stamp all of the card pieces, turn the largest succulent stamp upside down, and apply the ink to it. Stamp onto the 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch Basic White CS. Be sure to move the stamp block straight down onto the paper and then straight up to get the best image. I often will use two hands to be sure to stamp this way.
Begin the front panel of the card by stamping the pot slightly to the right of center in Memento Black ink.
Now we will create the inside of the card. First stamp the sentiment “You make the ordinary extraordinary” in the center. In order to make the inside more interesting, stamp the larger succulent stamp off on the right-hand side. Follow up with the small succulent in the lower left-hand corner.
Technique: Coloring with Stampin’ Blends
Succulents
Begin coloring the smaller succulents with the Dark Just Jade Stampin’ Blend Alcohol Marker. The darker portion of the succulent leaf will be down in the center of the plant. I use a very light touch because the ink flows out onto the paper very easily. Color a bit away from the edges until you have a feel for how the ink is flowing. I usually use the brush tip for larger spaces, and the smaller tip for shading. Complete the coloring using the Light Just Jade Stampin’ Blend. Go over the darker part a bit to blend the colors together.
In coloring the smaller succulent, I wanted it to have a purplish hue. I started with the Light Highland Heather Stampin’ Blend. Next I used the Dark Just Jade on the tips and the Light Just Jade over the top of the Highland Heather. Set this aside for now.
Creating a Cylinder
I am not an artist by any means, but I will show you how I colored the pot to make it look cylindrical. First use the small tip of the Dark Cinnamon Cider Stampin’ Blend to color the outer edges. Then fill it in a little more with the Light Cinnamon Cider Stampin’ Blend. To keep the center light, color the rest of the pot with the Ivory Stampin’ Blend. In order to blend all the colors, I went over all the layers with the Ivory in a back and forth motion across the pot.
Inside of the card
To get a little more practice before tackling the largest image, I colored the inside. On the right-hand side, I started with the light version of Just Jade, Balmy Blue, So Saffron and Highland Heather for the base. I then used the Dark Just Jade over the Light Just Jade to darken the tips of the succulents. I used the Light Daffodil Delight on the tips of the So Saffron succulent. For the Balmy Blue succulent, I carefully filled in the body of the leaf with the Light Just Jade, leaving the tips Balmy Blue. I then added a little of the Dark Just Jade at the base of each leaf. I did the same with the Light Just Jade over the Light Highland Heather. The two succulents on the left are colored in a similar fashion as the previous two small succulents.
The Card Front
Now let’s tackle the large succulent image. I started with the Light So Saffron Stampin’ Blend, then darken the tips with the Light Cinnamon Cider Stampin’ Blend.
Next I colored the central succulent first with Light Balmy Blue Stampin’ Blend, then went over it with the Light Just Jade, leaving the tips blue. I think it works best if you color each leaf individually.
To continue coloring, I used the Dark Just Jade Stampin’ Blend for the tips of the succulent at the top, then added the Light Just Jade Stampin’ Blend to the body of the leaf.
In a similar way, I colored the succulent on the left-hand side.
Finally, the hanging succulent was first colored with the Light Highland Heather. Leaving the tips purple, I added the Dark Just Jade Stampin’ Blend to the body of each leaf.
For a final touch, I added a little Dark Just Jade to the central succulent to give it a bit more depth.
Putting It All Together
The next step is to Fussy Cut all of the succulents for the front of the card.
Begin by adhering the inside of the card to the inside of the Just Jade CS card base. Use the Bone Folder to make a crisp fold at the 4 1/4 inch score line.
Next adhere the card piece with the pot onto the front of the Just Jade CS card base. Then use Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhere the large bunch of succulents over the pot.
Oops! I forgot to stamp the “Thanks” sentiment on the front of the card! Carefully use the Memento Black ink and stamp the sentiment in the upper left-hand corner.
To finish the front of the card, add the two smaller succulent plants next to the pot. These are adhered flat to the card front.
Viola! You have a gorgeous and colorful arrangement of succulents!
If you haven’t really felt like your succulents look as good as you would like, practice. It does take time to get used to the Blends, how the ink flows onto the paper and how the colors blend together.
Thank you for joining me today. I hope I was able to give you some ideas. If you come up with a great tip, please leave me a comment. I always have my eyes open to a new way to make the succulents look even more life-like.
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Have a most wonderful Wednesday! We’re half way to the weekend!
Theresa
