Encre, papier, ciseaux: Bouquet of Sunshine

*Featuring retiring hostess set Array of Sunshine, DSP Pocketful of Posies, Subtles glimmer brads, rhinestone brads, Poppy Parade*

I had big plans of sharing lots of samples made with retiring sets with you this month, but it seems like time is running away from me lately. When I finally had a few minutes to spare, I grabbed one of my favorite retiring hostess set and made this card, inspired by the iSpy sketch #14.

I will admit: I sometimes feel like there's been way too many flowers in my SU! career, but once in a while, a new flower set will still catch my eye... I immediately spotted this one (Array of Sunshine) in the new catalogue when it came out because its Art Deco flair appealed to me. I paired them with the Pocketful of Posies Designer papers and the "mother" stamp from the now retired Êtres chers (which was sold in the Occasions mini). I stamped, handcut and layered the flowers and greenery to create a bouquet, then I added Dazzling Details on parts of the designs. LOVE the sparkly touch! I used purple glimmer brads in the center of the Razzleberry flowers. (Note that the glimmer brads are NOT ALL retiring, but the Subtles pack is.) I also added a Daffodil Delight button (from the Brights pack) in the center of the main flower. To get depth on that flower, I rock 'n rolled the stamp in More Mustard ink before stamping it, and I also stamped the center part in More Mustard, to get a multicolor flower.

The sentiment was stamped in Craft ink (which is retiring, so get it while you can!) on vellum and embossed with clear powder. I added a punched flower (from the Bitty punch pack) with a pearl in the center over the flower stemming from the word. Two strips of patterned paper were added underneath and each strip was held in place with something different: two rhinestone brads (retiring), a button brad from the Vintage trinkets pack, and a clear bitty button.

Don't forget that you can stamp your patterned paper to get a different look! Here, I added a red flower multiple times over the Poppy Parade paper. And finally, when I added my panel to the card base, I decided to glue it off-center to create an asymetrical look. I like the finishing touch it gives the card!

The envelope was created with a sheet of patterned paper and the Diagonal plate (Simply Scored). Great way to put all that paper you have hoarded collected throughout the years to good use!

Hope this card inspires you to let your own creativity bloom!

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Array of Sunshine, Êtres chers
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Vellum
Designer papers: Pocketful of Posies
Inks: Rich Razzleberry, More Mustard, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz,
Old Olive, Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Simply Scored and Diagonal plate, Glimmerb brads, Dazzling Details,
Vintage trinkets, Bitty button, Rhinestone brads, Bitty punch, Pearls, Brights button,
Stampin' Dimensionals, Clear embossing powder