Soft Succulent

Beauty of Tomorrow in Soft Succulent

Card using Beauty Of Tomorrow Bundle featuring Soft Succulent.

In Color: Soft Succulent Part II

As I began another color journey with Soft Succulent, I noted the color pairing with Soft Suede and Old Olive. My thoughts turned to fall colors immediately. But it was not an autumn themed stamp set that caught my eye as I started to design!

Instead, I chose the flora and fauna of the Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set and Beautiful Leaves Dies. The blue-green of the Soft Succulent blends so nicely with the warm brown of Soft Suede. Old Olive, almost a spring-time green, seemed like the odd man out here. But, once I tucked some Old Olive in, I discovered that I not only like these colors together…I love them together!

Big and Beautiful Leaves Dies

The largest die in the Beautiful Leaves Dies measures a whopping 6-1/4 x 4″. I needed a good sized piece of Old Olive Cardstock to use this background fern with my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine. One pass thru, and you will have a lot of foliage to work into your own project too!

Large fern die from Beautiful Leaves Dies using Old Olive Cardstock.

You may be wondering how one would fit “all” of that green on one card front! I simply chose to chop mine up a bit. I wanted a little Old Olive peeping out from behind my focal point. With my Paper Snips, I trimmed this die cut apart. There was plenty left over for other card use, too.

Using Paper Snips to trim the large die cut from the Beauty of Leaves Dies.

Small Shimmery Leaves Dies

Not everything needs to be oversized! In fact, the Beautiful Leaves Dies feature four smaller dies for foliage too. Because I wanted my leaf color to vary, I chose to create the smaller leaves in Soft Succulent. For immediate and easy glimmer, I pulled out my 2021-2023 In Color Shimmer Vellum. A small piece of this fantastic vellum was all that I needed to die cut these leaves.

Die cutting smaller leaves from the Beauty of Leaves Dies, using 2021-2023 In Color Shimmer Vellum in Soft Succulent.

Beauty of Tomorrow Bouquets

One of the beautiful things about the Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set is that the sprig-like flowers are stamp and go. You don’t need to two-step stamp, or color the leaves and flowers in. They are simply gorgeous stamped once. And that is just what I did.

Stamping the sprig stamp from Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set in Soft Suede Ink.

I chose to stamp the larger sprig-like stamp from the Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set using Soft Suede Ink on Basic White Cardstock. For the smaller floral bouquet, I stamped the image using Soft Succulent Ink. After my stamping was complete, I used the coordinating dies from the Beautiful Leaves Dies and ran them thru my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine.

Stamping the floral bouquet from the Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set using Soft Succulent ink.

Tastefully Stamped and Embossed

One of my favorite techniques to do is use a sentiment stamp as a background image. The large sentiment stamp from the Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set reads, “the changing of the leaves reminds us that new wonders are just around the corner”.

I chose to stamp this image using VersaMark Ink on a piece of Soft Succulent Cardstock. The effect of the watermark ink is subtle. I varied the placement of the stamped words, and although the image is not “readable”, one only has to look to see that there is a hidden message.

Stamping the sentiment stamp from Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set as a background stamp in VersaMark ink.

After my sentiment stamping was complete, I embossed my Soft Succulent Cardstock. The Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder leaves a barely discernible texture. The softness of this embossing adds to the richness of this card without being overpowering. Lastly, I used my Blending Brush and Soft Succulent Ink to deepen the outer edges of my cardstock.

Embossing with the Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder and sponging Soft Succulent Ink with a Blending Brush.

The Beauty of Assembly

Now it’s time to take a look at the layers of this card. I began with a Soft Succulent card base. Next, I added a layer of Soft Suede Cardstock. My third layering piece is Soft Succulent in nature, but comes from the Tidings of Christmas 6 x 6″ Designer Series Paper. This pattern worked wonderfully with my card, and did not lend itself to Christmas tidings at all.

Card layers for the front of the card.

Once I had my layering pieces adhered, I began to place my leafy die cuts. I started with the Old Olive snippings, and dry-fit them beneath my Soft Succulent embossed piece. When I was happy with the placement, I used Tear & Tape Adhesive to attach my greens to my card base. I am always careful to place the tape in a position I know will be covered up as I continue to build my card.

Attaching the Old Olive die cut leaves.

After my Old Olive leaves were in place, it was time for me to add in the shimmery Soft Succulent leaves. Again, I took care to place them in a peeping manner. I used more Tear & Tape Adhesive to secure these small leaves as well.

Attaching the shimmer vellum leaves.

Beautiful Embellishments

Every beautiful card needs some beautiful embellishments! For this card, I chose an elegant ribbon- the Very Vanilla Scalloped Laced Trim Ribbon. First, I placed my stamped and die-cut bouquets on the embossed Soft Succulent cardstock. Next, I wrapped a small piece of lace across the width, securing the lace in the back.

Using Very Vanilla Scalloped Lace Trim Ribbon on the card front.

From there, I created a small lacey bow, and attached that over the front. For an adhesive that really holds ribbons well, I recommend the Tear & Tape Adhesive. Once completed, I placed my entire assembly over the tape that is securing my leaves!

A bow in lace trim is added using Tear & Tape Adhesive.

I am loving the Brushed Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots! I chose 3 in the gold tone, and placed them in a row along the open space at the bottom of my card front. If you struggle to line up embellishments in a straight row, try doing this: use some Grid Paper (or graph paper) and a ruler as your guide. I also find the Take Your Pick Tool so helpful in lifting the adhesive embellishments off their backing paper and onto my project.

Using the Take Your Pick Tool to add Brushed Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots.

Nothing As Beautiful

This card featuring the Beauty of Tomorrow Bundle, along with Soft Succulent, Soft Suede and Old Olive, came together beautifully! As I worked with this color combination, I discovered that I really enjoy this mix. In fact, I could see myself creating some beach themed cards with these three colors.

If I have inspired you and you need some of the supplies I used to create this card, stop by my online store anytime. Need more Soft Succulent inspiration? Check out this card and an unusual color combination that may put you in the holiday spirit, by clicking here. And be sure to come back for the final installment of Soft Succulent and a new color combo that is sure to please!

One last look at the finished card!

Tidings & Trimmings In Soft Succulent

Finished Tidings & Trimmings Card using Soft Succulent, Rich Razzleberry and Mint Macaron

In Color: Soft Succulent Part I

Papercrafters everywhere are thinking thoughts of Christmas as October deepens. While I turn to another 2021-2023 In Color, Soft Succulent, I am thinking Christmas too.

This soft, calm green shade may remind you more of spring, but don’t let it fool you. I find that Soft Succulent can hold its own along with Real Red and Cherry Cobbler for festive makings.

In fact, for this card, my challenge is to use Rich Razzleberry, a tone that lends towards purple. Along with Rich Razzleberry, I am tasked to use Mint Macaron. Mint Mac and Soft Succulent are very similar shades, but I was able to work all three of these colors cohesively for my Tidings & Trimmings Card.

Snowy White

I adore the sweet stockings from the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set. You will discover two different designs to choose from. And the good news is, they both fit the same die from the Christmas Trimmings Dies.

With my stockings, I wanted to use some colorful cardstock as the base. Rather than just stamping ink on top of my Soft Succulent cardstock and Rich Razzlebery cardstock, I chose to heat emboss instead. First, I stamped the stocking image using Versamark Ink. Next, I sprinkled on white embossing powder and set the powder with my Heat Tool. Then I ran each stocking thru my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine to die cut it out.

Stockings heat embossed with white embossing powder and die cut with the Christmas Trimmings Dies.

*TIP: While prepping your paper for embossing, attach the cardstock to a clothespin or clip first. Hold on to the clothespin rather than the paper to prevent the Heat Tool from burning your fingers.

To top off my stockings, I chose to use the tied ribbon bow stamp from the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set. Again, I used Versamark Ink and white embossing powder, then heat set my bows. I chose a Rich Razzleberry bow for my Soft Succulent Stocking, and a Mint Macaron bow for my Rich Razzleberry Stocking. The white embossing brings the look together and adds elegance too.

Bow ribbon from the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set, stamped in Versamark and embossed with white powder.

Paper Delight

Even though I looked high and low for some Christmas designer paper in Rich Razzleberry, I could not find any. Instead, I chose a neutral design from what could be considered a fall pack of paper, Blackberry Beauty Specialty DSP.

Blackberry Beauty Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Barely noticeable but significant just the same, is the tone on tone stamping on the Rich Razzleberry Designer Series Paper. I measured my paper to stamp the berry sprigs from the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set in Rich Razzleberry Ink. By stamping in just the right location, my design elements would be accented.

Stamping a sprig from the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set on the designer series paper using Rich Razzleberry Ink for tone on tone.

As a fan of adding a lot of layers to my card fronts, I started with a Thick White Cardstock base. The thicker cardstock really holds up to the task at hand! Next, I added a layer of Rich Razzleberry CS, followed by Soft Succulent CS. Then, came the pretty designer series paper.

My card layers in Basic White, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Succulent and the berry colored designer series paper from Blackberry Beauty Specialty DSP>

And to add even more texture to my card, along with the heat embossing, I chose to use the Snowy White Velvet Sheets. From the Christmas Trimmings Dies, I chose 3 different “sprig’ dies from the Christmas Trimmings Dies and die cut them from this fuzzy velvet paper using my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine. These sprigs look adorable peeping out of the tops of my Christmas stockings. They also add a brightness to this card.

Die cutting holly sprigs from Snowy White Velvet Sheet using the Christmas Trimmings sprig dies.

Stamping Sentiments

I chose two sentiments to work with from the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set. The scripty “Noel” is a timeless classic. I wanted to keep it front and center, so I stamped it in Versamark Ink on Soft Succulent CS. After that, I heat embossed it using white embossing powder.

Heat embossing the sentiment "Noel" in white embossing powder with my Heat Tool.

Next, I used the sentiment “May your days be merry & bright”. Again, I stamped in Versamark Ink, but this time only used the ink as a watermark image. Against my Mint Macaron CS, it shows very lightly and subtly in the background. By using Versarmark Ink instead of Mint Macaron Ink (tone on tone), I was able to keep my sentiment light and simplistic.

Background stamping a sentiment image using Versamark Ink.

Tidings & Trimmings Together

I felt that my stockings needed a little holly. With the Christmas Tidings Dies, this was an easy fix. There are two holly dies, but you will end up with four individual holly leaves after die cutting. How awesome is that? I chose Evening Evergreen CS as a great complimentary green for this particular task.

Die cut hollly leaves in Evening Evergreen from the Christmas Trimmings Dies.

After adding my sentiment pieces to my card front, it was time to add my stockings and the trimmings. I glued the holly leaves and bows to each stocking first, using Multipurpose Liquid Glue. This made it easy for me to later place the decorated stockings on my card front.

Adding the holly and ribbons to the stockings using Liquid Glue Adhesive.

My next step was a dry fit for the Snowy White Velvet die cut sprigs and my stockings. A dry fit is when you put elements on your card front without adding any adhesive. You can move parts and pieces around as you decide where you want them to go.

When I was happy with the sprig placement, I removed the stockings and taped the base of my sprigs in place. I prefer to use Tear & Tape Adhesive for jobs like this.

Adhering the Snowy White Velvet die cut sprigs with Tar & Tape Adhesive.

Next, I simply glued down my stockings over the taped down sprigs. The stockings interlocked just slightly in a natural position. You can see that they are off-set in height nicely too.

Adhering the stockings to the card front.

To complete my card, I chose to add a few Pearl Basic Jewels. With all the white elements on this card, these pearls look very natural. I find it easiest to place adhesive backed embellishments on my projects using the Take Your Pick Tool.

Adding Pearl Basic Jewels using the Take Your Pick Tool.

Soft Succulent Success

If you enjoyed this Christmas card using Soft Succulent and the Tidings & Trimmings Bundle, please stop by my online store for the supplies you need to re-create it. Did you know that by purchasing the bundle instead of adding the stamp set and dies to your cart individually, you will automatically save 10%?

For another Christmas style card using the In Color, Evening Evergreen, click here. I have also explored Christmas cards in Polished Pink and Fresh Freesia.

My In Color exploration will continue with Soft Succulent, so be sure to come back and visit to see my next color combos and creations! It is with great joy that I experiment with color and delight you with my  efforts.

Finished card using the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set.