Delicate Dahlias One-Sheet-Wonder – colorway #2 and a tip

It is not unusual for me to come up with some of my best ideas while I’m following (and CASE-ing) another design. If the process feels good to me, I love to make multiples of the same design but change something up – color scheme, designer series papers, or even the occasion of the card. This Stampin’ Up! Delicate Dahlia card is one of those designs that lends itself to so many interpretations for the 8-1/2″ x 11″ design. I find it very satisfying to experiment with my cards – and what’s the worst that can happen? Nothing – it’s only paper! If you don’t like it, try to save it. If you still don’t like it, start over!

Remember, all of this is supposed to be part of your self-care regime! Creativity and relaxation are an important part of taking care of your self – and refreshing your spirit!

After the beautiful reds of my original post yesterday, I wanted to do a more subtle color scheme and see if I liked it as much. Fall is coming and I would like to capture the softer colors of early autumn leaves and the last flowers of the summer. Although I can use a color wheel well enough, I have found that sometimes Color Challenges that various blogspots offer is great inspiration. These artists have a great eye and offer challenging color schemes – which encourages me to “live on the edge”! lol…

Here is my more subtle interpretation of this wonderful design:

This week, though, there were two color challenges – the one that I played with yesterday using vivid reds, oranges and purples. And then today’s challenge from Sunday Stamps:

This color combination is much more subtle than my first example – but more vivid than the pastels used in the original design.  I love these muted colors that have that early autumn feel. Sunday Stamps’ challenge required the use of at least three of their colors and this design used all five.  (It was easy to do because the colors are so perfect for a floral design.) I added only Stampin’ Up! Pool Party ink for the tiny flowers that highlight this design.

.  To achieve this palette, I used:

• Stampin’ Up! Pumpkin Pie
• Stampin’ Up! Pale Papaya
• Stampin’ Up! So Saffron although I added Daffodil Delight to the design as well
• Stampin’ Up! Soft Succulent
• And the final neutral came from Crumb Cake ink and a card base of Very Vanilla

If you like this design and are willing to spend a little time and a piece of 8-1/2” x 11” cardstock, I think that you will find playing with this wreath to be fun – and relaxing.  It’s a great creative outlet that is apart from cutting and measuring.  I really couldn’t stop making these and I now have a ton of cards to finish up!  But even the finishing isn’t hard, as the panels don’t require much more embellishment beyond the sentiment.

Here is my “wreath” for this color way completed, before I cut it up into 4 panels.

The inside of these cards uses the strips that are cut off of the original panels in order to trim them down to the 3-3/4″ x 5″ size needed for the front of the card. I’ve used these to line the bottom (or you could place them along the side) of the inside mat.

This means that almost nothing goes to waste – which is something that I just love!

But when I looked at the message area for the card on the left, I thought that it looked a little plain. There just isn’t enough contrast between the Basic White message panel and the Very Vanilla card base to be interesting to the eye.

TIP: When this happens, try “pouncing” each edge of the message panel along the Stampin’ Up! Pale Papaya ink pad. It will add a VERY subtle bit of color to the edge that is just enough to frame the panel nicely. Can you see the difference between my plain white panel on the left versus that very fine edging on the other panel? Please don’t think that I could possibly have done that by hand! But bouncing the panel gently on the ink pad creates this beautiful edge!

Enjoy, my friends! But please remember that this beautiful Stampin’ Up! Delicate Dahlia stamp set will no longer be available after September 30.

If you are looking for a supply list, here it is – for this color way only. (If you need the full directions for creating this card please see my earlier post by clicking here.)