Welcome to our Pals Blog Hop, May 2018. This month we’ll be “Stepping Up with Textures or Techniques.” What’s that? Projects that are “stepped up” by using textures or fun techniques. Who knows, maybe both! Join us in the fun while the we inspire you to step up your creations.

You may be starting the hop here or coming from a previous Pal’s blog. Either way, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll find the the full line-up below to help you move, or “hop” along from Pal to Pal.

For today’s project, I chose the Polished Stone Technique, as a background for my Bloomin’ Heart, which gives the heart a new look. I also added some Vellum, Linen Thread, and Pearls for texture.

I remember the first time I ran this Bloomin’ Heart die through the Big Shot. I was new to Stampin’ Up, and thrilled with the Big Shot’s capability of producing this intricate heart. I immediately took a picture, and sent it to a friend. She was so complimentary, you would have thought I designed the die! Since that day, I’ve used this die many times, and it continues to amaze me. Maybe I’m being sentimental, because it’s going into retirement.

Polished Stone Technique Bloomin’ Heart Mother’s Day Card

There are several different ways of doing the Polished Stone Technique, but this seems the simplest to me:

You start with a piece of Glossy White cardstock, ink re-fills in the colors you want to use, some cotton pads,  and regular rubbing  alcohol. Disposable gloves are nice, if you don’t want inky fingers.

Trim the Glossy White Cardstock to the size you want to use for your project. I’m using 5 1/4″ X 4″.

Saturate the cotton with alcohol, then drop spots of re-fill ink onto the cotton. I used Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron and Sahara Sand. Leave a bit of space between the dots, because they’ll blend together soon enough. Next, pat the inked cotton all over the Glossy cardstock. You can leave it alone at this point, or add more color. Use a dry cotton pad to soak up extra moisture. The fun thing is, it’s just like real stone with each piece being unique.

Once the polished stone was finished, I added detail to the top with a Card Front Builder Die. This die is from my most used set from the Holiday Catalog, which will also be retiring. The die makes such a pretty border, any time of year.

I tied Linen Thread around the bottom, before gluing it to the Sahara Sand card base.

Now for my Bloomin’ Heart. I used the die to cut two hearts; one from Vellum, and one from Pink Pirouette cardstock, a retiring color. The vellum is glued on top of the Pink Pirouette Heart, where the five flowers are located. The glue is hidden beneath the flowers, plus it leaves the edges free for softness and dimension. I stamped the three small flowers and two larger flowers in Blushing Bride and Sahara Sand ink, cut them with their dies, and glued them in position. I placed dimensionals underneath the five flowers, and attached the heart to the polished stone background.

The stamp set I’ve used more than any other from the Annual Catalog is also retiring, Teeny Tiny Wishes. It has 24 small sentiments that fit perfectly in the space of the Classic Punch. I stamped “happy mother’s day” in Chocolate Chip Ink. Yes, this ink color is retiring too. 

I added Pearl Embellishments to the flowers, and I’m happy with the new look for my Bloomin’ Heart.

Now it’s time to see how the rest of the Pals are Stepping up with Textures or Techniques. Please use the Blog Hop Line-Up below to move from blog to blog. Don’t forget to show us some love by commenting on our creations.

Please click to leave a COMMENT HERE.

Mark your calendars for June 13, 2018 where we feature projects for Babies, Birthdays and Brides. You’ll probably even see products from Stampin’ Up!s new 2018-2019 Annual Catalog. Don’t miss it!

1. Mary Fish at Stampin’ Pretty
2. Peggy Noe at Pretty Paper Cards
3. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
4. Su Mohr at Aromas and Art
5. Linda Suarez at All Night Stamping
6. Debbie Mageed at Secrets to Stamping
7. Stesha Bloodhart at Stampin’ Hoot!
8. Leah O’Brien at Stamp by the Bay
9. Jackie Beers at Blue Line Stamping
10. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
11. Pamela Sadler at Stampin’ Pink Rose
12. Mary Hanson at Up North Stampin’
13. Nina King at Ink Paper Sequins
14. Karen Hallam at Karen’s Stamping Habit
15. Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin’
16. Jennifer Michalski at Stamping Serenity

No need to be sad about the retiring items. You can order them now through May 31st, while supplies last. Clicking on the Shop button will take you to my store.