This month's In Touch featured product is Flower Soft. I love this wonderfully fun and easy to use medium which instantly adds dimension and interest to your work. I have created 3 cards with it, and I'm so excited to share them with you!
On my first card this darling Lockhart Itty Bitty Umbrella, which is Ellen's stamp of the month for March, was colored with Copic markers.
It was then cut out and adhered to an Inchie.
The Inchie was first covered with a piece of Graphic 45 Botanicabella "Secret Garden" designer paper. The edges of the Inchie were colored with a Copic marker (YG03). A small dot of "Sunshine Yellow" Flower Soft was added on the point of the umbrella. (Well what better color of Flower Soft could make that "rain rain go away"!?!) The Flower Soft was colored with a Copic marker (Y17) to match the umbrella.
The Flower Soft frame was made using double sided tape.
A small amount of Flower Soft goes a LONG way!! It comes tightly compacted in its jar. To use it, empty a small amount into a bowl or container and lightly fluff to loosen and separate it. To apply simply press the tape side of the card stock onto the Flower Soft. The Flower Soft on this frame is a mixture of "Baby Blue" and "Spring". The jar of Spring Flower Soft shown here is from the Flower Soft Box Set "Pretty Pots Starter Kit".
After the tape was covered, I trimmed the excess card stock from around the outside of the frame.
The sentiment was placed on a panel of Graphic 45 Fashionista "Perfumeries" designer paper which was adhered to the Flower Soft frame.
Art Flowers and a button were added to finish the card.
I was so happy to be able to take Ellen's idea for a feathery FLOWERy SOFT rooster and create this next card using the Lockhart Rooster. Just look at the fancy Flower Soft tail he is strutting!
To make the tail feathers, I took a couple of the Flower Soft Wires and cut them into four sections. (These wires can be purchased in a separate package but are also included in the Flower Soft Box Set "Pretty Pots Starter Kit".) I colored the wires with Copic markers to match the colors of Flower Soft I was planning on using.
Next the Flower Soft Glue (included in the "Pretty Pots Starter Kit" and also available for separate purchase) was applied liberally to the wires, and the Flower Soft was sprinkled on until the desired amount was achieved. Flower Soft colors used were "Poppy Red", "Baby Pink" and "Sunshine Yellow". The wires were then placed in a sponge (also included in the "Pretty Pots Starter Kit") to dry. The glue dries clear and takes about 30 minutes.
Just as I had done with the dot of Flower Soft on the umbrella card above, I used a Copic marker (Y19) to color the yellow Flower Soft on the wire so it would more closely match the color on the rooster.
The wires were attached by poking them through the card stock at the base of the rooster tail and then bending them flat and securing them with tape on the back.
I dotted small amounts of glue at the base of the rooster tail and other areas. Next I applied "Poppy Red" Flower Soft to hide the ends of the wires and gaps where the rooster image was showing behind the tail feathers.
Other products used on this card include Graphic 45 Botanicabella "Secret Garden" and Fashionista "Perfumeries" designer papers. Art Flowers and an Accent Pearl were also used. The sentiment "Springtime Greetings" is by Memory Box. Copic markers were used to color the rooster and Flower Soft.
On my third card only a very small amount of Flower Soft is used, but I think it is so fun on these ladies as they model their vintage spring fashion. Aren't they swell!?!
No stamps were used on this card. Instead the Flower Soft Glue was applied directly to the Graphic 45 Fashionista "En Vogue" designer paper cut outs.
The ribbon is a 5/8" Twill. The red striped paper is Graphic 45 Fashionista "Buttons A La Mode". Even the sentiment is taken from the Fashionista Collection designer paper. All 3 cards use Memory Box card stock. Neenah Solar White card stock is also used on cards 1 and 2.
Hope you decide to give Flower Soft a try! Happy crafting!!
Susan: lovely inchie/flowersoft. I've started th rain rain go away one and I find that my flowersoft is not coming out as thick as your picture shows yours. But even if several sprinklings of the flowersoft, I'm getting only 'one layer' of flower soft on the frame. Any suggestions or is it because you've taken a telescopic photo? callimedved9@yahoo.com. Thanks.
Posted by: Calli Medved | June 17, 2010 at 09:41 AM
Oh my gosh, I was loving what you did with the little umbrella--so cute, and THEN I scrolled down and saw the rooster... Let's just say I was on the fence about getting the Flower Soft, but now I'm off the fence and heading for my checkbook! LOL Absolutely wonderful, Susan.
Posted by: Kathy V. | May 10, 2009 at 01:30 PM
Wow! All of the projetcs are amazing!
I love the frame on the first card!
Rooster is adorable! His tail is a masterpiece!
And vintage ladies are an inspiration!
Posted by: Elena | March 17, 2009 at 08:27 PM
Fabulous Susan! Love the frame and the rooster is magnificent!
Posted by: Laura (scrapnextras) | March 15, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Wow, Susan--THREE samples, and each is a masterpiece! You set a high bar here--totally gorgeous job!
Posted by: Debbie Olson | March 15, 2009 at 03:53 PM
WOW Susan! All 3 are so creative & very inspirational! Thanks for all the details! Now I'll go stretch my imagination using FS.
Posted by: Linda C. | March 15, 2009 at 12:44 PM
I love all of your samples, but the rooster is fabulous!! Love this idea!! Fabulous projects, Susan!!
Posted by: Rose Ann | March 15, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Susan all three cards are gorgeous examples of the diverse uses for Flower Soft. I can't wait for mine to arrive so I can PLAY with it. Thank you so much for the great tutorials.
Posted by: -mary | March 15, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Very cool! Thanks for the step by step instructions! Love that rooster tail!
Posted by: Allison Cope | March 15, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Lovely cards, Susan! I just received my order of Flower Soft but haven't used it yet. I can barely wait!! With your cards I especially love the one with the 30's ladies. Thanks for the clear instructions.
Posted by: Marilyn Hitterman | March 15, 2009 at 09:24 AM
oh man - the ROOSTER!!! {{squealing!!}} All your samples - absolutely incredible Susan!!!!!!
Posted by: Cindy Lyles | March 15, 2009 at 08:10 AM
what fabulous cards! I love the techniques you featured today--thanks so much!
Posted by: liannallama | March 15, 2009 at 06:21 AM
Excellent tutorial. Superb, actually. Thank you SO much! I just placed an order for Flower Soft (and other goodies) and FORGOT to order the Flower Soft wire! ARRGG!
Posted by: Gabriela (Gabi With An Eye) | March 15, 2009 at 06:16 AM