A Sunflower for the PPA Challenge 87

Today is the day!!  It’s  a technique challenge at the PALS PAPER ARTS.  They challenge you to make your card/project using punches.  I found this to be easy……I LOVE sunflowers….can you tell?

Are you familiar with Flower Soft?  I really like the look of it; but, most of the time I fall short of having just the right color.  Most of what I have on hand is for Christmas.  I wanted to make a more realistic center for my flower today.  I’ll first show you my inspiration, then my card and then what I did for the look….

Inspiration ~ this sits on my craft table, its one of those pens and a flower of your choice wrapped in floral tape.  It’s housed in a small glass  container with clear beads.  This has been around for a while; but, if you have not seen it and are interested, let me know and my next post will give you directions.

                  

The result ~

          

I used three punches for this sunflower.  The Blossom Petal punch was the main source for the petals and leaves.  I sponged all inside portions of each petal with More Mustard Ink to add more depth and curled each petal up and outwards.  The leaves are scored with a stylus at each scallop.  The stem is your Two Bird Step punch with a bow made from Olive Green hemp.

The center – punch out the middle daisy from your daisy #2 die three or four times, depending on the thickness you’re looking for,  then wad (yes, wad….just like you would if making a scrunched up flower) in a ball..then unfold…..

                     

Glue one layer on top of the other layer until you have the look you want.  Looking back I wished I had tried separating each petal just like you do for a scrunched up flower.  I think I would like the different textures that it would give off.

This is the fun part.  Take an inexpensive paring knife (I keep this one on hand at all times….it comes in handy a lot) with a piece of Stampin Up card stock – color of your choice.  This card stock is the best, it maintains its color all through the paper plus easier to handle because of its weight. And then just scrape and scrape and scrape until you have the desired amount needed…

            

There’s your flower soft.  It works really well, especially if you’re in a jam and just need a little bit.  I kept scrapping until I could fill a 1 1/4” punched circle for my flower center.  It holds together with your multipurpose glue. 

            

Almost forgot…the inside ~

                

A smaller flower using your Boho Blossom and Two Step Bird Punches with the addition of a brown brad from the Neutral Collection of brads.

Supplies needed ~ all SU! unless otherwise noted

• Card stock – V. Vanilla, E. Espresso, O. Olive, D. Delight and Patterns DSP
• Punches – Two Step Bird, Boho Blossom, Blossom Petal, Daisy #2, MS small tag and Circle punches
• Stamps – only one, Teeny Tiny Wishes w/E. Espresso ink
• Misc. – Neutral brad, hemp and half pearls from my stash

There’s a lot in today’s post, I hope I have covered all bases.  If I have left something out let me know!!!  I am only too glad to fill you in on missing pieces.

AS ALWAYS, thanks for stopping by!