Spring Has Sprung pretty crocus cards

Hello guys and gals. How are we all?

I have to say, I’m feeling rather chipper myself. Whilst it’s cold outside (and inside!) the sun is shining and the daffs are blooming. Also, let’s not ignore the fact that the arrival of the Easter bunny is imminent…

I love nature: we’re so blessed by all it has to offer. Spring is a wonderful season to admire and appreciate nature.

Flowers. Flowers everywhere! So naturally, I felt inspired to create a card using these gooooorgeous Crocuses. (yes, I did google the plural of Crocus!) I got so carried away colouring them in fact, that today I’ve got a ‘twofer’ for you (and still lots left for another 2 cards!)

There are Sooooo many Spring designs on the Kate Hadfield Designs website, with so many possibilities. These Crocuses are from the ‘Signs of Spring Stamps‘ set. As always, these are available as uncoloured stamps, coloured clip art illustrations and also in a bundle housing both at the usual superb price. Pre coloured are ideal for if you’re in a rush or perhaps lacking in confidence with colouring. Although, Kate’s images are perfect if you want to practice in perfecting your colouring skills!

I realise I’m digressing, so back to it!

I started by filling an A4 sheet of white Super Smooth card with the Crocuses. I personally like to overestimate the amount of images I’ll need. I ALWAYS go wrong so need to restart and so by batch colouring, there’s always some ready and waiting for my next speedy project. I then fussy cut each one. This took a while and I would recommend sitting in front of your favourite TV programme with plenty of snacks whilst fussy cutting this amount. I plan on doing so next time.

I went ahead and coloured my crocuses with my Copic alcohol markers. Yellow: Y08, Y17, Y02 and Y38. Purple: V17, V09, V06 and V04.

I added my usual highlight with my white gel pen. However, on this occasion, I went one step further and used my white pencil also. Whilst less harsh and more subtle, it really emphasizes the lighter areas.

OK, so I was really wanting to try a black background for one of these projects. I thought the colours against the black would really pop. I prepared 2 card blanks, one white and one black top fold. For each, I prepared a panel from the same colour approx 1cm smaller round each edge than the card blank.

For the white card, I gently inked the centre of my panel using Scattered Straw Distress Oxide. I didn’t want a harsh background so I went gentler round the edges than in the centre.

For the black panel, I splatted some white ink over the entirety of it using some cheap acrylic paint and a fan brush.

I then went onto adhering the panels to their card blanks using foam tape.

On each of the cards, I stuck down the crocuses using wet adhesive. I wanted some texture and for the flowers to look 3D, so I placed glue on the flower heads and the stem, and with minimal amounts at the base of the leaves ONLY. Using my finger, I gently curved the leaves outwards. I love the effect this gives!

I didn’t have a sentiment fitting for these cards, so rather bravely, I decided to handwrite them using my white gel pen used for the highlights. They’re not perfect, but could be worse! The beauty of handwriting a sentiment is that you can write exactly what you wish.

To finish, I simply added some clear droplet flatback cabochons. These work wonderfully on floral cards, almost as though raindrops!

That’s really it! Not the fastest of cards initially due to all the colouring and fussy cutting. However, once this part is all done, you potentially have lots of quick projects in situ.

I personally love the black card. Which is your favourite?