A Thank You Bouquet

Hey Crafty Meraki friends....it's Michelle back with you on the blog today.  Sometimes all you need is a beautiful bouquet of flowers to show your gratitude and say thanks.  Today I am sharing just that...a beautiful and colourful floral bouquet to thank that special someone.  Let's get started, shall we!

Start by heat embossing the floral image from the Bold & Beautiful Stamp Set on hot pressed watercolour paper, using WOW! Embossing Ebony Super Fine embossing powder.  I used hot pressed paper as it has a smooth finish to it, so makes it easier to get a good stamped impression, compared to cold pressed watercolour, which has a textured finish to it.

Start adding colour to the images using Karin Brushmarkers Pro.  I added a bit of colour at the base of the images and then added some water to move the colour around.  Add the colour in layers.  Start with a light colour and once dry, add layers on top for depth and a bit of definition. Be sure to allow one flower to dry before you start on the flower next to it, to avoid any bleeding of colour.  For the final layer of colour, I simply used the blender pen to add the darker colour to the images. 

Add some flecks using black gouache over the entire piece.  Allow that to dry and cut down the piece to 3.5x4.75".  Using the extra black gouache that is still on the work surface, take a small piantbrush and pick up some of the gouache.  Run the paintbrush along the 4 sides of the floral piece, picking up more paint as needed.  Be sure not to touch the edges until it is fully dry.  Place it atop the jar of embossing powder to allow it to dry.  Adding this black to the edges gives it a bit of a black border without the need for a mat of black cardstock under it.

Using gold foil, hot foil the Gilded Greetings Hot Foil Plate on black cardstock and cut it out using the coordinating die.  To pop up the sentiment without using foam tape, cut out 2 more blank sentiments using the same colour cardstock or a dark one.  I used some dark grey metallic cardstock to cut out the 2 extra ones.  I didn't want to waste my black cardstock on the additional layers and this is a colour I will never use for the main sentiments or otherwise, so i thought it was perfect as my layers for it.  Add the sentiment to the background and add this to an A2 cardbase.  To finish it off, add a few of the Sapphire Night Dew Drops for some sparkle

And that's it!  A simple floral bouquet, that is perfect for saying thank you to a special friend.  I'm sure anyone would love getting this in the mail...and it's a bouquet that won't wilt or require watering.

Thank you so much for joining me on the blog today.  I hope that I have helped to inspire you in some way and I wish you all the most wonderful day.  Until next time, Michelle