This card is easy to make and it also gives me the opportunity to show you (or remind you seasoned stampers) about using stencils. In this case, though, I made my own stencil.
Using the Stampin’ Up! Simply Succulents Stamp Set and the coordinating Potted Succulents dies, I created the stencil by cutting the large background die from a piece of Stampin’ Up! Basic White 8.5” x 11” Thick White Cardstock.
Here are the cutting instructions:
| Cardstock/Paper | # Pcs | Measurement | Description |
| Basic White Cardstock | 1 | 4-1/4” x 11” Scored at 5-1/2” | Scored at 5-1/2” |
| Basic White 8.5” x 11” Thick White Cardstock | 1 | 4-1/4” x 5-1/2” | This will become the stencil. |
| Pool Party | 2 | 4” x 5-1/4” | Mats for inside and out |
| Basic White Cardstock | 2 | 3.75” x 5” | Card faces |
| Basic White Cardstock | To stamp designs |
I used this “stencil” along with Blending Brushes and the Stampin’ Up! Pool Party ink pad on the (2) 3.75” x 5” panels. The sentiment on the inside of the card comes from the same stamp set.
Don’t forget to stencil a second panel for the inside of the card. I used the sentiment from this same set – it’s a great message.
Then I stamped the large succulent arrangement, as well as the pot and the small succulent on another piece of white cardstock. I did some very limited coloring, using Soft Succulent, Highland Heather, and Just Jade Stampin Blends on the plants. The pot was colored with Gray Granite Stampin Blends, using both the light and dark versions.
The Stampin’ Up! Potted Succulents dies make short work of the cutting. I decided to cut two additional pieces of each die cut to add dimension instead of using foam dots. I’ve noticed that dimensional images can get squished by the machines in the Post Office. But if you use two plain layers with the colored image on the top, your artwork has great dimension and is super strong.
Glue the large image on the front and use that smaller plant to decorate the inside, trimming as needed.
Adhere the layers together and you are done! Don’t forget to decorate the envelope flap! I stenciled it to match the card.
I’ve decided to enter this into this month’s Happy Little Stampers’ September Stencil Challenge. I love stenciling and this Stampin’ Up! Potted Succulent die makes stenciling a great alternative use for this die cut. It’s always great when you can stretch your equipment and supplies to create something new!
Here is a list of the materials that I used:
Such a pretty card! Love the soft background! 🙂
Thanks so much, Amy! I love to stencil and this die from the Simply Succulent group makes that an option.
Lovely.. love that soft coloured stenciling..
Thank you so much for your comment! I think that stenciling is one of those techniques that we frequently forget about – I know that I do, for sure. But it offers a softness and variation that is so rich.
Thanks so much for stopping in! – Susan