Gourd Goodness (Holiday Catalog)

Hi, folks!  This morning I'm sharing a card I made using the Gourd Goodness stamp set from the 2017 Holiday Mini Catalog.  I first made it as a thank you card for demos at the August 26 Rose Hill Stamp Camp, but I was so pleased with the outcome that I've also used this design for a Stampin' Up! demo swap this month.

Click on image for closer look.

Materials

Stamp Sets
* Gourd Goodness (2017 Holiday Mini Catalog)
* Bunch of Blossoms (sentiment)

Paper
* Soft Suede card stock (8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; 3-1/8" x 4-5/8")
* Very Vanilla card stock (5" x 3-3/4")
* Watercolor Paper (4-1/2" x 3")

Ink
* Tuxedo Black Memento Ink
* Crushed Curry Stampin' Marker
* Cajun Craze Stampin' Marker
* Soft Suede Stampin' Marker

Accessories and Tools
* Size "H" Clear Block
* Stampin' Spritzer (filled with water)
* Linen Thread
* Adhesives:
  * SNAIL Adhesive or Multipurpose Liquid Glue
  * Stampin' Dimensionals or Foam Adhesive Strips
  * Glue Dots

Instructions
(SNAIL Adhesive used throughout unless otherwise indicated.)

1. Score 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Soft Suede card stock at 4-1/4"; fold away from score line to create card base.

2. Place a glue dot about 1-1/2" from top of Very Vanilla card stock close to left edge.  Place end of Linen Thread on Glue Dot; wrap around card stock twice and press other end onto same Glue Dot. Cut away excess.  Adhere card stock to front of card.

3. Using brush end of Stampin' Write Markers, scribble Crushed Curry onto top third of "H" Clear Block; repeat with Cajun Craze on middle third, and Soft Suede on bottom third.  (It's okay if the colors overlap.)  Spritz with water and immediately place, ink side down, onto Watercolor Paper.  (SEE NOTE BELOW.)

4. Allow paper to air dry completely (or use your heat tool to dry it), then stamp the pumpkin image near bottom of paper.  Add sentiment.  Adhere Watercolor Paper to 4-5/8" x 3-1/8" Soft Suede card stock.  Use Stampin' Dimensionals or Foam Adhesive Strips to adhere to front of card to the right of the Linen Thread.

5. Make a 2" triple loop bow and use another Glue Dot to adhere over joining of Linen Thread.

It looks like a difficult card, but really so easy!

NOTE RE WATERCOLOR TECHNIQUE:  How much water should you spritz on the clear block? That depends on what effect you want.  If you want your card to look more like the first card shown above, spritz a little more water . . . but not so much that you wash the ink entirely off the clear block (maybe four spritzes). For a little different look (see card below), try spritzing a little less (maybe three spritzes).  You'll see this has a little drier, more controlled, look.

Click on image for closer look.

TIP:  Paper has a tendency to curl up and warp a little when you apply water.  Generally, it flattens back out while it's drying; however, sometimes it remains a little warped.  Here's a tip I picked up from Jennifer McGuire* in one of her awesome videos.  After your card stock or watercolor paper dries, run it through your Big Shot!!!  (Be sure to use new, unscarred cutting pads on each side so you don't leave impressions on your paper.)  I didn't do this for my first batch of thank you cards, so the top piece was slightly warped on some of them; I did run my second batch through the Big Shot -- it works like a charm!!!  My watercolor paper was perfectly flat and ready to add to my cards!

* Jennifer McGuire is not a Stampin' Up! demo, but her videos are so chock full of ideas and tips that can easily be adapted to Stampin' Up! products, I've become addicted to watching them!  You can find her site by googling Jennifer McGuire Ink.
 
Until next time . . . keep on stampin' and smilin'!!!

Cathy ;D