February 26, 2021

Compassion and Poppies Blog Hop

Hi friends! It's the last Friday of the month and that can only mean one thing for me, Stamp Club release! Thank you for swinging by this fabulous blog hop, and I can't wait to show you this new set, Compassion & Poppies. 

What is Stamp Club?

• Monthly Stamp release to be launched on the last Friday of every month (holidays permitting).
• Not a subscription based program.
• Compassion & Poppies stamp and die set will only be sold as a bundle.
• Limited stock available.
• Retail value £39.99 / $39.99 so you receive a £/$5 savings.
• Exclusive to Tonic Studios. 
• Inspired by Maria Willis.
• Tonic dies are amazing and come pre-cut/separated with no burs.
• Stamps and dies come in high quality plastic envelopes with a tab for labelling and binder holes on the side and are compatible with all Tonic Studios A5 binders. 

**GIVEAWAY ALERT** 

ONE lucky winner will win a £50/$50 Gift Card for Tonic Studios AND a Compassion & Poppies bundle! To enter comment on every blog in the hop by 11:59PM PST on March 3rd, 2021. Winner will be announced on March 5th on Instagram and Facebook so make sure you're following all accounts! 

What you receive when you purchase Compassion & Poppies.

• One large 6 inch by 8 inch die set containing 17 dies which cut out all elements excluding sentiments. In addition to the floral dies, there are also three rectangular layering dies and two sprig dies. 
• One large 6 inch by 8 inch stamp set containing 18 stamps.
• The concept for this month is compassion and poppies. This modern die set can be used for the more delicate of occasions as well as bright and cheery projects to delight friends and family.

Once again, I've made a ton of cards in a matter of a couple days and had a great time using different mediums and techniques.

Project 1 - Blue Poppies with Copics

This is the very first time I've ever shared a Copic card (they are new to me). I've used alcohol markers in the past, but have just delved into the wonderful world of Copics. I don't have many but these blues are really beautiful and wanted to make a card which wasn't red but still exudes empathy.

• Poppies coloured with B01, B04, B06. 
• Highlights with  Gelly Roll White 10 pen.
• Cut out a black piece of card and cut to 3.25 inches by 4.5 inches and splatter with white ink. 
• Die cut a small white circle and attach to your black panel. 
• Use foam pads to adhere your flowers over the circle (moon).
• White heat emboss on black card your sentiment and adhere. 
• Attach to an A2 card blank.  

I really like the different colours here and although not red, it still looks peaceful and respectful. 

Project 2 - Mini Slimline Birthday Card

I'm much more comfortable with water based mediums and love a loose watercolour with minimal materials. I also LOVE making mini slimline cards at the moment; they're a great size! 

• Cut a piece of 300gsm smooth watercolur card to 6.25 inched by 3.25 inches and set aside. 
• Stamp and die cut your florals onto watercolour card and loosely colour them with Pink Lemonade and Flamingo Pink Nuvo Aqua Flow pens. 
• Build up your layers of colour. 
• Die cut a few of the sprigs with watercolour card and use Olive Aqua Flow Pen, 
• Add foam pad to the largest flower but don't take off the sticky back. Use as placement, then adhere your sprigs. 
• Once you know where your florals will be placed, make a Pink Lemonade wash for your front panel. 

• Next add the flowers to your card. 
• White heat emboss on black your sentiment and attach to the front of your card. 
• Use White ink, Black Ink and Flamingo Pink Aqua Flow to create some splatter on your card. 
• Add Silver Rain sequins and Fairy Wings Dream Drops after you've attached your panel to a mini slimline card blank - 6.5 inches by 3.5 inches. 

Project 3 - ATC's + Video Tutorial Stamping with Aqua Flow Pens

I do love ATC's and haven't made any for ages. The size of the flowers really made it perfect for smaller cards and you can't beat an ATC.

• Stamp and colour your florals using Empress Teal Nuvo Aqua Flow Pen.
• Stamp your leaves using Nuvo Aqua Flow Pen, Evergreen Fern - yes you can stamp with them! 
• Stamp out some sentiments, grab a circle or other scrap bits and assemble these adorably sized projects. 
• Add ink around all the edges, plus sequins, splatter and whatever else catches your fancy.

  The video process can be seen here:

Project 4 - Slimline Sentimental Card

I grabbed a few more Copics I have and tried to match them up as best as I could. I'm from California and so I much prefer the softer orange poppies - it reminds me of home (I now live in the UK).

Like I said earlier, I'm still getting my head around Copics but I do like to throw myself into projects, it's the only way I learn. There's a lot I've taken away and a lot to learn, but I'm have a blast with them.

• Cut out a piece of smooth card 8.24 inches by 3.25 inches and gently ink blend Tumbled Glass (at top), Shabby Shutters and Bundles Sage (at bottom).
  
• Stamp 2 poppy bunches and the largest poppy image.
• Colour with Y11, Y38, YR07, RV29. Stalks are YG03, YG63, Y28.
• Add Gelly Roll White 10 for highlights. Allow to dry then die cut all images.

• I added a picket fence die from my stash and cut it from white watercolour card 7 times to make is super chunky.
• White heat emboss on black card your sentiment.
• Adhere all your wonderful elements to your card.

I might have used a bit to much white gel pen (haha) but I couldn't stop! It's a work in progress, I promise. 

Project 5 - Clear Heat Emboss Beautiful Watercolour

For my final project, I tried to capture the natural beauty of poppies and a more realistic feel to their beautifully delicate petals. I'm not quite there yet, but this piece turned out really earthy and beautiful, another work in progress.

• Clear heat emboss onto white 300gsm smooth watercolour card.
• Begin to build up soft, subtle layers using your Vanilla Aqua Flow Pen.
• Now mix in Pink Lemonade for depth of colour, allowing each layer to dry.
• Use Matador red for dark shadows and to give your petals a little more shape.
• Add Sliced Kiwi and Olive to the stalks.
• Take a wet brush and begin to pull out the colour from your flowers, stems and leaves to create a subtle wash. You can add colour to your paintbrush if you want a darker wash (I did this with Vanilla at the top and some Olive at the bottom).
• After allowing to dry completely use your Olive, and Pink Lemonade Aqua Flows to splatter liberally over your completed panel. In addition to this, you can also use white ink.
• Colour in the centres of the flowers with Matador Red Aqua Flow pen mixed with a small amount of black.
• White heat emboss on black card and add to card panel.
• Mat and layer onto an A2 Card and add a few Diamond sequins.

I think this is my favourite card due to the organic, earthy feel to it. Do you have a favourite card?

And breathe! I do have more cards but just couldn't fit everything into one blog post.

BLOG HOP LIST: 

Channin Pelletier

Dilay Nacar

Emily Midgett

Erica Andersson Burke

Janette Kausen

Jen Kray you are here

Kelly Taylor ----> NEXT

Maria Willis

Mindy Eggen

Seeka