Botanical Notes and Anything But a Card

Good morning and happy weekend 😀

It's Saturday and the 18th of the month today, that means I actually have two projects to show you today! I know that doesn't happen often! Be prepared for a picture heavy post.

Please note: Some affiliate links are included in this post, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, this is at no cost to you! Thanks so much for your support!

First up I am sharing my mid-month reminder card for Penny Black and More. Our theme this month is simply anything goes, as long as you follow our simple rules, which you can find on the challenge blog. I decided to use one of my newest stamps, I very recently got this one, just couldn't resist - Botanical Notes. Isn't it just beautiful!! I know I just said recently I wasn't going to buy new things anymore, but there is always going to be that "one thing" I will need :-) Like this stamp!

It's been stamped onto Winsor & Newton watercolor marker paper, and colored using Zig clean color brush pens. I find this paper the best for these pens. Unfortunately Blick art materials quit carrying it, and the only place I found it was Amazon. I tried Fabriano hot press, but these pens do not  work very well on that paper. Luckily bristol vellum is another card stock that works ok with the clean color pens, and that I can get anywhere. It's just not my favorite with these pens.

This is a rather large stamp, and I really didn't want to add too much to the card, because I wanted it to stand out. So I stamped the sentiment onto a strip of vellum paper using black stazon ink, and added a little bit of coordinating designer paper. I thought it needed something where the two designer papers met, so I added a little blue button and jute twine. The top of the watercolor paper has been torn and curled up on the corner, then layered onto matching yellow designer paper. Sorry I have no idea of the brands of the papers, I just grabbed them from my stash. 

A little close up below. I did add wink of stella glitter to the butterfly and flower center, but unfortunately it's so hard to see. 

Next up is my project for the new challenge at Allsorts. It's Susan's week to host and she would like to see anything but a card. I have to admit, those types of challenges always scare me a little bit, because  cards are pretty much all I ever seem to make, on rare occasions I made bookmarks or treat bags. So my first thought again was making a bookmark, but then I remembered that for the longest time I've been wanting to make a pretty tissue box cover to go with my current decorations. 

I found an easy to follow tutorial on splitcoaststampers.

Mine was even easier to make because I didn't use extra layers, instead I just used pretty designer paper for my base. This pretty vintage style paper is from a 12x12 inches double sided paper pack (designer paper options). I think mine is by K& Company. I've had it for a while and I thought it was perfect for this.

 

After I completed creating the box, I simply added some adhesive lace and embellished with paper flowers. I've been hoarding these flowers for a long time, I never use them on cards because I find them too bulky on cards, but they were perfect for this. 

Below is a little peek at the top.

It's hard to tell but I used one of the Nestabilties Label 4 dies to cut out the opening. I was able to fold the edges on the score lines in order to fit it through the die cutting machine. 

I really wanted to stamp a verse on the designer paper, but the thought only came after it was finished. I tried but it didn't stamp evenly, so I left it as is and covered up the partial stamping with another pretty flower. 

I left the other two sides blank, showing just the pretty paper, they will be facing the wall anyway. I thought about using a second ribbon and tying a bow, but my cats would probably  have too much fun with it, and I really like it how it is.  This cover will probably be in my living room up until Fall. I had so much fun making this, I might actually make another one for the Fall season and one for Winter.





This week I'd like to enter my card to the following challenges:
 The Flower Challenge #6 - Anything Goes
 

Stamping Sensations - Close to Nature 
 

Mixed Media Monthly -Buttons (hope one button is ok?)
 

The Artistic Stamper - Springtime
 

And that would be all for today. I hope you'll check out the Allsorts challenge blog and Penny Black and More to see what the rest of the teams made and come join us for a chance to win some fabulous prizes. At Allsorts our own team member Wendy is giving away a fun die, and at Penny Black and More we  have several prizes by Penny Black , Marianne Design ,
 Chalkola and Fantastic Ribbons.
  

Hope to see you there!!