Altenew Peony Bouquet Stamps and Dies

Okay, so you probably get that I am pretty much loving Altenew stamps and dies...they are so much fun to play with!

I began by "two step stamping" using the layered stamps to begin creating the flowers; I also used Inkssentials Cut-n-Dry Pen Nibs to add extra color. These nibs are perfect to dip right into the ink pad...they have a very sharp point, making it very easy to get into tight spaces! The inks used here are: Memento Rich Cocoa to stamp the outline; Tim Holtz Distress inks in Abandoned Coral, Spun Sugar, Bundled Sage, and Shabby Shutters.

After stamps the blooms, I die cut them with the Altenew Peony Bouquet dies.

The background was somewhat of an experiment with a happy ending. I first stenciled it with Tim Holtz "Flourish" stencil and Studio 490 Embossing Paste. After it dried I decided to see how using a Gelato color would work out--I used a shade from Gelato's Color Gift Set.  I watered it down and painted it on with a paintbrush, covering most of the panel.

After the gelato dried, I realized that I still wanted more of a washed out background color. I layered on a bit of Dina Wakely White Gesso...it gave the result that I was looking for. 

Also, another happy surprise (result): I have yet to find my embossing paste tools while unpacking so used a serrated grapefruit knife from my kitchen drawer-- LOVE the little lines that are added in the embossed design!

All linked supplies are from The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

Next week I will be back with something totally new! 

Hope that you can join me!