One last simple but beautiful Delicate Dahlia Card – plus a tip

After spending so much time on the very intricate, shabby chic wreath note cards using Stampin’ Up! Delicate Dahlia stamp set, I wanted to create a very different look that will be a wonderful birthday card.  This one is inspired by a friend of mine whose birthday is on December 25^th.  Although she is much more a “suffer in silence” type, I can imagine that she has spent her lifetime of birthdays having it as something that is incidental to Christmas.  I even see the “your birthday is on Christmas” cards at the card shops in the classic red and green of Christmas.

Not fair!

This card is being made with her in mind –

I love this card for its simplicity – and for the way you can appreciate the flower alone.

Here are the cutting instructions for this A2 (4-1/4” x 5-1/2”) card:

Using the Stampin’ Up Delicate Dahlias largest image and Versamark ink, stamp the dahlia image on opposite corners of the front panel. 

Use the Stampin’ Up Basics Embossing Powder in white to heat emboss the flower images.

Stamp the message – I’ve chosen the “Happy Birthday” sentiment from Stampin’ Up! Peaceful Moments stamp set on to a scrap piece of Petal Pink and heat emboss it with white powder.

Using the Stampin’ Up! Everyday Labels punch, I punched the sentiment out and then punched this tag again in white stock.  I wanted to create a white mat to mirror the matting of the front panel.  You can do this next step in one of 2 ways:

• You can punch 2 of the Everyday Labels from white stock and line the pink version with the first tag offset on the left – and then add the second punch to the back and offset to the right.  This creates a dimensional tag without using foam adhesives.
• Or you can punch one of the Everyday Labels, cut it in half and glue each half so that it frames the sentiment tag on each side.

Using Stampin’ Up! White 3/8” Glittered Organdy Ribbon wrapped around the front panel, I matted the panel on to the white mat and then both on to the card front.

To complete this pretty card face, I used Stampin’ Up! Basic Pearl Jewels in the centers of each of the two embossed Dahlia images.  (Pearls are the ultimate bit of elegance – in clothing and on our cards!)

On the inside panel of the card, I mirrored the stamped dahlia image in each corner, using the Stampin’ Up! Petal Pink ink.  It is understated, but still reminds the recipient of the beautiful card face.  Once the sentiment was stamped, I used the inside sentiment from Stampin’ Up Celebrate Sunflowers.

But because I want my friend to know before she even opens the envelope that this is NOT a Christmas/Birthday card, I’ve jooshed up the envelope. In the spirit of #nonekkidenvelopes, I’ve stamped the flap of the envelope with multiple dahlia images that flow off the edges – and perhaps one last bit of a dahlia peeking on the front the envelope as well. 

Today’s tip is about heat embossing: How to make your own anti-static powder tool

One of the best ways to assure that your heat embossed image will be as crisp as possible is to use an anti-static powder tool.  These are small bags of powder that are wiped across a surface to get rid of any static electricity that might interfere with the embossing powder application.

The Versamark ink or pigment ink is sticky enough to hold the embossing when poured.  Unfortunately, static electricity will also hold some of that powder in places that you don’t want it.  You can always use a soft, dry paintbrush to clean off any stray powder before you heat set it.  But the antistatic powder tool does it for you.

There are lots of places to buy these online.  But why buy it when you can make one?  Here’s what I use:

• If you have two knee-hi stockings (or even ankle stockings) that you are willing to sacrifice, scrunch one over your hand and then scrunch a second one on top to make it a 2-layered stocking. (No, you are not making a hand puppet…today anyway!)
• Fill most of the foot of the stocking with cornstarch or with baby powder that contains cornstarch.  Knot the top of this funny-looking tool close to the level of the cornstarch and you’ve got yourself an anti-static powder tool that’s as good as any you’ll buy online!  And it will only cost you a dollar or so for the box of cornstarch.

Here are the supplies that I’ve used on today’s card.  And please remember that the Stampin’ Up Delicate Dahlia stamp set is ONLY available until September 30, 2021.  If I can help you in any way, please let me know as I would love to be your Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.