Banana Frog Blog

Thinking Outside the Flower Box

We've already seen some great ideas using the Build a Bloom set to do exactly what it says on the packet, build blooms! But this set is so much more versatile and the designs can be used to create cool pattern effects. Here are a few ideas I had recently:

This kind of leafy design is currently very popular in fabric prints and papers, and you can create the look using the plain petal stamp. I love this pattern in bright zinging colours like lime green, red, and turquoise.

The plain petal stamp is also great for creating a deep scallop stamped border to your cards and layouts to frame other stamped images and greetings, again bright and bold colours work great here. Cream together with blue and red are a very popular choice in fabrics right now, so look great on cards! I also loved how Pharmacy font helps to create a great retro look with this style.

The filigree petal stamp is also great for creating striking design patterns, I used softer spring colours here, and added a touch of bling.

And for a bit more fun, a mock harlequin-esque pattern... you could use one colour, or add lots to the mix!

And while I had those inks out, I couldn't resist using the Flowery Thoughts set again to create a really colourful background. The Retro Greetings set is just perfect for these bright designs!

A few of my favourite things...

No, not just Banana Frog stamps! I recently made this little book with some spare photos from another project:

Here's a closer look at this project which uses various Rouge de Garance papers as well as Willing Race, Scribble Flowers, Make a Chain, Swirls, Journaling and Simple Greetings Banana Frog stamp sets.

And for you card makers, a couple of recent creations!

This one simply uses the Simple Greetings set.

While this one is a bit bolder and uses the Super Stars set, Jeannie Shrimpton font, plus the small star outline from Make a Chain.

January blues?

If anything can combat them, it's bringing a little colour into your day. That's what I've been doing recently in my card making, and this week's design team examples are no exception!

The Carnet de Trente papers by Rouge de Garance provide just enough zing and are perfect for stamping, here I've combined them with Banana Frog Willing Race stamps and just a touch of matching bling.

Probably a bit difficult to see in the picture, but I used Versamark ink to stamp Scribble Flowers on the background to create a little more detail.

Tricia has also been hard at work playing with the Bejeweller and a range of crystals to create this fab layout - love some of those expressions! Willing Race fits the fun design perfectly!