Stampin' Up! Climbing Orchid - SBTD 04/2018

Hello and welcome to another Stampers by the Dozen blog hop!  Whether you have hopped over from Judi and her fabulous project or you are starting here with me, welcome - I hope you enjoy my projects.

The theme this month is 'bundles' and was chosen by Carly.  Wow - this was a difficult one as there are so many fabulous bundles available from Stampin' Up!  I sat looking at my shelves of stamps wondering which to choose and then I saw a stamp set I had forgotten I owned - shame on me (again)!

There are 28 images in the Climbing Orchid stamp set to allow you to build up orchids with as many layers as you like - just think of all the colour combinations ... 

I started playing with different ink colours, just stamping and die cutting, trying out different combinations.  These were the first flowers that I assembled.  The photo below shows that I tried two different methods of adding dimension to the different layers.

For the flower on the left I used a scoring tool (also known as a ball tool) around the edges of each petal on the reverse.  I used Dimensionals between the different layers.

The ball tool 'bends' the card adding a little depth and dimension.  How much 'bend' depends on how hard you press down and how far into the shape you do this.  (I just went around the edges).

For the subsequent flowers I used my pokey tool to curl and shape each petal - this method creates a lot more dimension and again, used Dimensionals between the layers.

In a short time I had a pile of these lovely flowers sitting on my desk so I thought I had better do something with them!

I used the Petal Burst TIEF to create a simple background for my card - love this folder (so pleased it will be staying with us for another year).

I chose my favourite flower and added some leaves and some tiny buds.

Although there are several branch stamps in the Climbing Orchid stamp set, I used the branch thinlit that can be found in the Seasonal Layer Thinlits.

I stamped a smaller, sinlge flower on the inside of the card (and the envelope) this time using the branch stamps!

Here is the completed card and envelope.  I decided that I prefered the flower that had been curled with the poky tool.

I then went on to make another card, this time using a flower that had been shaped by a ball tool.  I also used one the sentiments in the stamp set - how I wish my handwriting looked like this!

Here are both cards together ...

... and do you know what?  I think I prefer the card on the right; one day I will learn to be decisive but, not today unfortunately!

Details of the products I used for this project can be found below.  The Climbing Orchid Bundle (= a 10% saving) is only available until the end of May (while stocks last).  The stamps and the dies will be in the upcomig Annual Catalogue but will no longer available as a bundle.

Next on the hop is Tricia who I'm sure has something fabulous to share with you too.  Don't forget to leave comments as you hop around (we like that).

Thanks for hopping along with us again, you can find details of the products I used for this project at the end of the post.

Susan xx

If you get lost along the way you will find a list of hoppers below!

Karie Beglau

Judi Anderson   

Susan Simpson    you are here!

TriciaButts   

Lyndsay LaRae Carara  

Courtenay Heuston

Tashana Lundy

Carly Middleton

Sharleen Luciano

Vicky Thompson

Anastasia Radloff

Deb Naylor


Thank you so much for looking at my Blog today, if you don't have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator I would love to be yours!  If you don't have a copy of any of the current catalogues and you would like one, please let me know and I will send one to you straight away.

If you need to order any supplies, simply use my “shop with me” button or click on the catalogue links on the right. Alternatively, contact me and I would be happy to place an order for you.

Would you like to receive a FREE gift from me? All orders placed directly with me or online receive a handmade card from me as a thank you but did you know that all orders over £20 (excluding postage) will receive a gift from me too?  If you use the current Hostess Code: HK7BQSZV I will pop something in with your order or post directly to you, (please remember to allow me to access your contact details otherwise I won't be able to contact you). 

This month you can choose a pack of Stampin' Dimensionals as your gift - large or small, the choice is yours!

For orders over £150 please do not use the Hostess Code to ensure that you receive the benefits - you will still receive a gift from me too!

If you are in the UK, please click on the images below to go straight to my online store for more details or to place an order.