Spring Greeting Card with Magnolia Blossoms and Distress Inks

Hello and happy May!! 

It's hard to believe that it's May already, the kids both had to do virtual school again for the past two weeks but are supposed to go back in person this Monday. Hoping they can finish the school year (which only lasts until the end of May here) somewhat normal as my son is graduating from Highschool. (How did we get  here this fast!!!)

A new theme starts today at Allsorts challenge, it's my turn to host and fitting for the first week of May our theme is "Spring Blossoms". 

My early spring flowers may be faded now but lots of new blossoms are everywhere and it looks so pretty with many trees in bloom! But sadly my Magnolia tree isn't doing too well since the squirrels chewed off the young branches last year (the tree is only a few years old) and it only has a few buds this year which I know the squirrels will get to sooner or later too :-( I don't really blame them though, Magnolia blossoms smell so sweet and wonderful!

My card today features a favorite Magnolia stamp by Penny Black - The Unfolding.

It's been inked with distress inks - markers or ink pads, I used a mix of light and dark pinks for the blossoms (I'm pretty sure I used Spun Sugar, Victorian Velvet and Worn Lipstick) and a mix of green inks (Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint) for the leaves, and the  branch was done with a Gathered Twigs Distress Marker. For a long time I've always resisted these beautiful brushstroke stamps because I had no idea how to use them. Having a Stamp Platform is definitely a game changer and they make using these stamps super easy as you can add ink and stamp several times to give it more dimension. I have the Tonic by Tim Holtz which is no longer in production, but there are several to choose from now ....

On this particular stamp I inked the flowers with ink pads because they are large (yes I did get some pink onto the branch/leaves but I simply wipe it off with the corner of a paper towel, then added a darker pink on the edges of the blossoms. A marker is helpful for inking up smaller sections like the leaves and branch, but mini inkpads work well too. 

Barely visible, but I used my retired Stampin Up French Script stamp on the bottom right corner with Shabby Shutters Distress ink to add some interest to the card, but don't look too closely as I ended up stamping the script upside down. I don't know why this  happens to me so often!!

Next I made a little inky puddle using Peeled Paint distress ink and with a toothbrush I splattered some ink onto the card. Inked and distress the edges, then layered the card front onto white card stock which I also distressed, and the a white card base. 

As embellishments I added some dark brown gingham ribbon (options) from my stash as well as a dark brown button and some May Arts jute twine.

The sentiment is from the Penny Black set Friendship. I do wish the white distressed layer was green instead but at the time of making the card I liked the idea of white. 

Thanks so much for visiting! 

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Recent Posts you may have missed:

• I Spy Photography Challenge 16
• Brushstroke Flower, Stencil and 3 Colors of the Rainbow
• Lightweight Sweater for Spring with Ponte Pants and a Trench Coat

I will try linking up here when I get a chance:

Challenges:

Penny Black Saturday - Use PB Stamps // As You Like It Challenge - Fave Season spring or summer (Spring - love seeing nature coming back to life) // Through the Purple Haze - Ribbon // Mod Squad - Spring has sprung // Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes // Sisterhood of Crafters - From a Garden // The Paper Funday - Spring // The Three Muses - Textures, Layers, Blends (layered stamping, ink blending) // Crafty Sentiment Designs - Anything Goes // 

Always Anything Goes and Link Parties:

Crafty Creations // Creative Moments // Lemon Shortbread // Through The Craft Room Door // The Corrosive Challenges // A Bit More Time to Craft // A Perfect Time To Craft // Classic Design  Challenge * // Crafts Galore Encore // DL.Art Linky Challenge // Love to Craft // QKR Stampede // The Creative Crafters // World Wide Open Design Team Challenge // 

Dare to Share //   Inspire Me Monday // Hello Monday // Random-osity Good, Random, Fun // You're The Star Blog Hop Link Party @Stonecottage Adventures // Anything Goes with Your Hosts @ My Random Musings // Jenerally Informed The Happy Now // Shelbee on the Edge Spread the Kindness //  Effortlessly Sophisticated // Wonderful Wednesday // Welcome Wednesdays // Classy Flamingos // Thursday Favorite Things // Little Things Thursday // Encouraging Heart and Home @ Slices of Life