Good Wednesday morning and welcome to the CLASSroom. What is your favorite kind of Valentine? I tend to lean towards the elegant, old fashioned Valentine with lots of flourishes, flowers and ribbon. My project today was made using the Creative Expressions Hollywood die set, Memory Box Elliana Background, Fancy Blossoms, Leafy Sprig, Small Leafy Sprig and Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Card Template.
To guarantee a good clean cut when cutting intricate dies I place the metal adapter plate under the bottom cutting plate. Cut the Hollywood layer, the Elliana background and the thin outer nesting card template frame.
Cut a small amount of the edges off around the Elliana background to make it fit perfectly behind the frame. Apply 1/8” double stick tape to the back of the frame and attach to the Elliana background.
Apply another layer of 1/8” double stick tape to the back of the frame and attach it to the card base.
Lay a long piece of 1/2” double stick tape down on your craft table, roll it up with your finger to create a thin adhesive roll of tape and attach to the back of the Provence layer.
I placed the tape in main focal areas so it would hold the Hollywood die cut away from the background. Place the Provence layer to the card base.
Cut foliage and flower pieces for the floral spray. There are five pieces of leafy sprig, small leafy spring and enough flowers to create five double layered flowers.
Lay the flowers face down on the molding pad and push down and roll the flower into a rounded bowl.
Lay the flower face up on the pad and push down in the center with the small tipped stylus to create the formed flower.
Apply glossy accents in the center of the larger flower and attach the smaller flower inside. Hold in place for a second to make sure it is secure.
Lay the sprigs of foliage on the molding pad and lightly push down on the leaves and branches from both the front and back to create a natural looking branch. Remember….paper foliage and flowers can be brought to life by forming them and adding dimension. No flower or leaf is perfectly flat.
Apply glossy accents to the top of each large branch and attach the flower. Hold in place with the pic end of the leaf tool to secure in place.
Apply glossy accents to the back of the leaf spring and attach to the Provence base. Use the leaf tool to hold in place to secure.
Continue to add the sprigs and flowers pieces to finish your floral spray.
Cut several thin strips of scrap cardstock to create faux stems to add to the bottm of the spray. Roll a section of double stick tape around the top to secure them together.
Spread the stems apart with your fingers and lightly curl them to create a more natural look.
Attach the stems to the bottom of the floral spray. Even though there was double stick tape around the top of the stems, I added a couple dots of glossy accents to make sure it would be secure and hold in place.
I tucked the five small leafy sprigs in and around the flowers to fill in and to complete the spray.
I applied a multi loop bow right above the stems to complete the arrangement.
Tiny snow pearls were added to the center of each flower for the finishing touch. Hint: I always add a drop of glossy accents in the center of the flowers as extra hold so the pearls don’t pop off.
I love the red background and flowers with the white decorative layers. This card screams VALENTINE to me.
I hope you have been inspired by my Valentine project today to get your flower and foliage dies out to create your own floral spray. They are pretty on cards for all occasions. I’ll look forward to seeing you next time.
Card size: 5.50” x 4.25”
