Hi Everyone!

Welcome to day 2 of the Catherine Pooler Designs Zen Garden release blog hop!  The release is available now in the Catherine Pooler Store!  Today we are showcasing the Love Grows stamp set and dies.  Read to the end of the post to see how you can win a prize by joining us on this hop, all supplies used are listed at the end of the post.

 

I have four cards for you today, including a video!

Card 1 – Ink Smooshing

My first card features ink smooshing – the inks are so fantastic and versatile for all sorts of techniques, but ink smooshing is one of my faves.  Check out the video below to see how I created this, and be sure to subscribe to my channel 🙂

Card 2 – Using Masking

I created a card base using Bristol Smooth cardstock, cut to 11″x 4.25″, scored at 5.5″.  I then used 3M Post-it tape to mask off a strip diagonally across the front of the card.  I stamped the large and small florals from the set in Sugared Lavender, Stone Blue, Skylight and Rose Petals.  I stamped the small solid flower center, and the small solid leaf in Seafoam.  When stamping, I made sure to go off the ‘edge’ onto the tape to create a defined edge.  For more definition, I also lightly blended Shea Butter over the top.

I removed the tape and stamped the Love and ‘Sending You’ sentiments directly over the top in Versafine Onyx Black ink.  For a little added interest, I used a black fineline Copic pen to add detail to the leaves and small green circles, and Sakura glitter Gelly rolls to add sparkle to the petals. I also added some small pink rhinestones to the flower centers.

Card 3 – Inlay Die-cutting on Kraft

Catherine’s inks stamp beautifully on kraft card too, to create a more muted look.  I created a card base from Neenah Desert Storm, cut to 11″x 4.25″, scored at 5.5″.  I also created a card panel 4.25″ x 5.5″.  On the panel, I stamped the flower petals (two sizes) from the Love Grows set randomly in a variety of inks,  including Polished, Seafoam, Sugared Lavender, and Skylight. I then added the centers of the flowers in a the same inks, but making sure I stamped the center in a different color to the petals.   To add interest, I used a white gel pen to add dots and lines.

I then die cut the panel with the Smile die – make sure to retain the pieces that come out. I die cut the Smile die again from gold mirror cardstock.  I added glue runner all over the front of my card base and then added the die cut panel.  I inlaid the gold Smile die and added the smaller pieces that came out of the die cut panel to create a perfectly flat, inlaid look.   To finish, I heat embossed the ‘You Make Me’ sentiment in gold embossing powder.

Card 4 – Creating Dimension with a Stencil

For my final card, I created a card base from Neenah Solar White 110lb cardstock, cut to 11″x 4.25″, scored at 5.5″, and set aside.  I then took a panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock, trimmed to 4.25″ x 5.5″.  I laid the new Split Chevron stencil over top of the panel and secured with tape to ensure it didn’t shift.  I then ink blended Seafoam ink top to bottom, making it heavier at the bottom.  I then removed the stencil and shifted it up slightly and adhered back down.  I ink blended Spruce over the top.  This gives a sort of ‘weave’ look to the background don’t you think? 🙂   I adhered this panel to the card base.

I stamped the florals from the Love Grows stamp set in Stone Blue and Sugared Lavender (can you guess which my favorite ink colors in the release are yet?!) and cut them out.  I also stamped and cut out some of the co-ordinating leaves in Spruce (and the centers in Seafoam).  I stamped two of the stems in Spruce onto my panel, and arranged the flowers and leaves with foam squares, adjusting the height of the layers for dimension.  I stamped the sentiments in Versafine Onyx black ink, (the … and the ! were added by hand using a Sharpie).  As a finishing touch I added flower centers using Nuvo Drops in Duck Egg Blue and Raspberry Pink.

How to take part in the hop – and win!


Your next stop on the hop is the ever fabulous Ashlea Cornell.  If you get lost on the hop, experience a broken link, you can always find the link you want in the full list below.  Leave a comment on each of the hops to be in with a chance to win a set of the new Zen Garden Inks (two to be won each blog hop day!) or a $45 giftcard for Catherine’s store if you already have the inks.

 

Enjoy hopping!

Jenny

Supplies are listed below, including the full Zen Garden release!

Affiliate links used:


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144 Comments

  1. Pingback: Video: Catherine Pooler Zen Garden Blog Hop Day 2 with Giveaways
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  6. I just love the ink smooshing technique…you never know what you’re going to get! These turned out beautiful!

    Reply

  16. Jenny your cards are gorgeous, thank you for sharing your video on doing smooshing sure will have to give it a try.

    Reply

  18. You have showcased this release so very well! Each of your cards is so appealing I’m glad you didn’t ask me to pick a favourite. Thanks for the video as well. Always enjoy & learn from them.

    Reply

  19. Jenny,
    Wow, you all inspire me. As a matter of fact after seeing your chevron background I must now purchase that stencil.
    Great job!
    Amy

    Reply

  20. 4 cards? All are gorgeous, for different reasons. I love all of your techniques, and will refer back to this when I’m crafting later today. I LOVE the last one, with the faint background… Nice

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  22. I like how you showed a different way to do ink smooshing. The card turned out beautiful. THank you for sharing.

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  30. Love your cards, especially #4. The background technique with the stencil came out really well. Plus you used some of my favorite new colors. Thank you for the inspiration and the chance to win these new inks.

    Reply

  31. Such different looks, all with the same supplies! Loved your smooshy demonstration. My fave card is the final one, with the stenciled background. Great textured look, by shifting the stencil. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply

  33. Such pretty cards, I love the very light look you got on the first one with the ink smooshing. And my favorite I think is the last one with the stencil, love how it fades towards the top!

    Reply

  37. I love the watercolor look on the first card.
    The silver really shines. The diagonal band
    on the second is a great idea. All of the
    cards are wonderful.
    thanks for sharing
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply

  41. I love how even though you used Stone Blue and Sugared Lavender on every card, they all look completely different depending on technique, background, and overlaid color. So cool! Thanks for sharing all these lovely ideas. I especially like how you used the filler stamps on their own to create a patterned paper; I always love ideas that let me get the most use out of my stamps.

    Reply

  42. What great cards! These are really fun! I thought the first masked card was my favorite, until I looked at the rest!

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  44. What amazing cards the last one is my favorite!! I am having such a great time looking at everyone’s cards and how each card is so different using the same exact set of stamps! Thank you for sharing!

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  55. Aaaannnddd….there’s the bouquet!!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! And the colours are stunning as well.
    *SIGH* those flowers…..

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  59. Four great techniques and four amazing projects! Love the inlay die cutting on kraft with those charming flowers as a background!

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  66. Jenny I love your cards. Also, thank you so much for sharing the technique you used on the first card. Totally loved it!!

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  71. I’m going to have to do some smooshing after seeing your first card. Youv’e given me some great ideas!

    Reply

  82. Just when I thought I was done oohing & ahhing (& had a favorite!),
    I said the same thing on the next card! lol These are all gorgeous!

    Reply

  83. WOW, you were busy. That is a great group of cards. I like the last the best. I like how you faded off on the stencil. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply

  89. I LOVE ink smooshing! Probably one of my favourite techniques I love how either vibrant or pastel you can make the colours. Absolutely stunning! All of your products are stunning, thanks for sharing your work!

    Reply

  105. Beautiful cards! I love all the different techniques you used! My favorite card is the first one. The inks blended so nicely and it looks pretty with the simple sentiment !

    Reply

  106. Lovely cards. I love how the ink smooshing came out and it looks like fun too.. I would love to win that could be great !

    Reply

  117. WOW — you certainly were a busy crafter creating all these really cool samples – – and showing off so many techniques. I’m actually a little partial to card 2 – – the idea of sponging over your lovely flowers with Shea Butter – – I love the end result..

    Reply

  120. WOW, what a bunch of great cards!!! I love anything floral. The one that you masked off looks like fancy paper that you glued onto card. Well done.

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  127. Oh my – gorgeous! I think the one with the diagonal yellow/floral is my fave of this bunch, but they are all just amazing!

    Reply

  130. These cards are absolutely beautiful! I love the faded out stencil look on the last card and those flowers in a cluster are perfection!

    Reply

  133. Seriously kicking myself so hard right now for not ordering this set with my 1st order!!! Gggaaaahhh!!! I adore all of the cards you made using this set and now I simply must have it!! Fingers crossed its in stock!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!! Big Hugs!!

    Reply

  138. I think your masking card #2 is stunning. The colors really mix so well and make a statement. Looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

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