Coordinating Roses go Up a Notch!

So a few days ago I shared with you a card made with a combination of three stamp sets - the Four Frames, Fifth Avenue Floral and Growing Green stamp sets. 

Today I am going to take that same card Up a Notch!

 

While I call it Up a Notch, you'll see that I'm actually taking it up quite a few steps! 

• The single layer of grosgrain ribbon has been replaced by a layer of Cherry Cobbler cardstock punched with the Scallop Trim Border Punch (on both sides!), as well as a 1/4" strip of Cherry Cobbler cardstock.  I love the depth this layered look provides to the card.
• The rose label from the Four Frames stamp set has been inked with three colors with Stampin' Write Markers, rather than a single inking with Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink.
• The rose label has also been matted - this is simple, but takes a little magic (I will share the steps for this simple tool tip tomorrow).
• After stamping, all of the images (except the greeting and the border to the label) have been treated with a techniqe from my Beginning Explorations in Watercolor class.  The basic premise of this technique is that after you stamp your image (either with Classic Inks or with Stampin' Write Markers direct to stamp), you take your Blender Pen and draw color from the stamped lines.  

The true effect of these upgrades is best seen when you place the two cards side by side:

     

If you would like more information on the watercolor technique seen here, or on an additional 13 watercolor techniques, the class guides from both my Beginning and Advanced Explorations in Watercolor classes can be purchased in my Handmade by Noel Store here (or click on the link at top of this page). 

Happy Crafting,

Noel

Supplies:

Cardstock - Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler
Ink - Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green Classic Ink Pads and Stampin' Write Markers
Stamps - Growing Green, Fifth Avenue Floral, Four Frames
Accessories - Decorative Label Punch, 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon*, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL, Stamping Sponges, Blender Pen, Scallop Trim Border Punch
(I've used retired Chocolate Chip Grosgrain as I was out of the Early Espresso which would have been my preference!)

  

Comments

[Noel]

Most projects sit and simmer on my desk - I think that is why the Up a Notch process works so well for me. I can spend 15 minutes or less creating a basic card, and then go off and take care of whatever else needs attention. When I come back to the project I can decide if I am done or if I want to take it Up a Notch.

[Stephanie]

Beautiful card and I like how it "sat and simmered" on your desk and your up-notch approach really added some lovely flavor to it!