Serene Love

Today I made some cards using Stampin' Up!'s Serene Love set of papers (currently on a close-out sale). I chose to use the Night of Navy colored papers from this set.  With double sided papers and two different papers in each color, there are a total of 4 patterns in each color.  I used these to prepare some background panels.  All stamping/inking was done with Night of Navy ink.

• Background Prep: I started with 4" x 5 1/4" panels cut from 3 of thosee patterns.  Then, I arranged them on top of each other FACE UP, and cut them in thirds at a couple of angles, making sure to keep them aligned.  By cutting all three pieces at the same time, I eliminated the need to be real precise in measuring my angles - just put them at an angle on my cutter and cut them!  Next, I mixed them up by choosing one piece of each paper for each of three cards.  I glued these in place, centered on a piece of white cardstock that 4 1/8" x 5 3/8".  Finally, I added white 1/4" strips of card stock between the pieces, trimming them to the edges of the cardstock.  
• Card Blank Prep: I also created 3 card blanks using cardstock cut to 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" (half sheet of standard letter size) and then scored in half and folded along that score line.  One of these was from Night of Navy cardstock, the other two were from white. 

That's where the similarities stopped.  

Card #1: First up, I combined these papers with Night of Navy cardstock. 

• Focal & Sentiment: I started by stamping the focal/sentiment with using stamps from Sit, Stay Relax stamp set. (This is a retired Stampin' Up! product, but you can choose any stamps you like and create something similar.)  I used a punch to round the corners and then inked the edges so it would stand out a bit from the background.  
• Assembly: For this card I simply took one of my prepared backgrounds, glued it to the center of my prepared Night of Navy card front, and glued my prepared focal to the center.  
• Finishing Touches: Using a standard hole punch to cut small white cardstock circles, then a smaller one to cut circles from the navy card stock, I added these as embellishments to the top left and lower right corners of the card.  My final step was to die cut a navy bow (die from Stampin' Up! Wanted to Say set of cutting dies) and add it to the upper left corner of the focal.

Card #2: Next, I paired the papers with Poppy Parade cardstock. 

• Focal & Sentiment: After stamping the focal and sentiment (again from the Sit, Stay Relax stamp set) with Night of Navy ink on white cardstock, I fussy cut around the stamped image and used a punch to cut out the sentiment (before cutting it down farther by slicing it at the top and bottom since the punch I had made the sentiment taller than I wanted it).  I then matted the focal and sentiment using Poppy Parade - and used a paper punch to cut 3 small circles to decorate the top right corner of the card. (BEFORE DOING THIS, see Tip in the next step!).
• Assembly: Taking another of my prepared backgrounds, I cut off the white edges to give me a panel that was approximately 4" x 5 1/4".  I then cut a piece of Poppy Parade that was 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" to use as a mat for the background. TIP: Before gluing the background to you mat, you can save a bit of money and make your cardstock stretch farther by cutting out the center of your background mat where it won't be seen behind the background.  Use this center leftover piece to cut the mats for focal, and sentiment, as well as the 3 small punched circles).  
• Finishing: After gluing everything in place, I added a ribbon bow from my stash to draw more attention to the sentiment and help the eye move around the card front.

Card #3: Finally, I paired them with yellow card stock from my stash (try Daffodil Delight cardstock).

• Background: I again cut down the prepared background and prepared a mat for it (this time in yellow), just like I did for card #2.  I again cut out the center part of the card stock (using it for the die cut greeting and the little spots of color in the upper left corner). 
• Focal Greeting: The die cut sentiment was cut from white and yellow card stock using dies from the Wanted To Say set of cutting dies that I mentioned earlier. I used two different sized circle punches to create the white and Night of Navy mats for the focal sentiment and arranged them somewhat offset on the card front. 
  

I don't know how soon I might get around to making more, but there are at least a couple more ideas I want to try.  The reverse side of one of those three patterns is larger flowers that could be fussy cut for a focal.  I think that could look really nice on a navy patterned background.  Then, I'd like to try a color that's a bit more on the pink side stamp some flowers - perhaps Blackberry Bliss, or Berry Burst - maybe even the darker red of Cherry Cobbler.  There are so many possibilities. I think perhaps just  strips of the patterned paper with coordinating embossed card stock would make a great background.  So many ideas, so little time!