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!

Faded Flowers

What with the Build A Bloom contest, it seems a good time for a good old-fashioned tutorial. I'm sure other people have fancy names for this, but I call it fade inking. You can use it around the edge of any shape to create a shaded inked edge (rather than the basic outline you get from going straight from ink pad to the edge of the cardstock). But today, we're going to build some fade inked blooms. Banana Frog stamps at the ready, ladies!

Gather your supplies. You will need:
*Build A Bloom stamp set
*Acrylic block
*Variety of pigment inks
*White cardstock
*Alcohol ink applicator (not the inks themselves) with felt -- or a a makeshift version to get you started
*Non-stick surface or craft mat
*Scissors
*One large brad
*Baby wipes or stamp cleaner

It starts very simply (not that there is anything actually difficult!). Stamp the petal designs of your choice in the colours you like. I used 9 petals on my finished flower -- you can use more or less, depending on spacing. Stamp a few extra in case you need to get the colour mix right at the end.

Once they are all stamped and dry, cut them out with scissors, leaving a white border all the way around the petal. Don't worry about getting them exactly even. It won't show in the end.

Here comes the fading -- and it's why you need the slick, non-stick surface. Start with the lightest colour of ink. Stamp the ink pad directly onto the craft mat a few times.

Use the felt-covered applicator to collect the ink, then run it along the edges of the petal. Try to leave a white gap in the centre, which will give you dimension and the appearance of light. I get the best results with small, circular patterns. Try on some scrap card that you cut so you have an idea of how it will work.
Remember, if you start with the lightest shade in one colour and work to the darkest, you won't have to change the felt to get a true colour. As I just had pinks and greens, I used one side of the felt for each colour. Waste not, want not and such, right?!

Once you've done that for each petal, you're ready to stick them down in place. Don't worry about the centre being too messy -- cover it with a big brad or a separate piece of cardstock with one of the centre stamps from the Build a Bloom set.

Here it is on a finished layout -- with lots more fade inking in pink, around the patterned paper and the cardstock. The journaling stamp is also a Banana Frog favourite -- using the small ink pads lets me ink just the lines and leave off the brackets so I get extra versatility.

Now that summer has finally arrived, you have no excuse not to put your Build A Bloom set to use and come up with something that could win you free stamps and stash!

xlovesx

A Perfect Fit

You just have to love it when new craft supplies breathe some life into ones you might not use much anymore. I have boxes of punches, but aside from my basic square and circle, they mostly just sit in those boxes. I can't be the only one.

Something I do use --constantly, in fact-- is my Banana Frog circle journaling stamp. How excited am I that this circle fits perfectly with the two inch scallop circle punch, that I probably would have otherwise ignored? So excited, indeed. (You may laugh at my stamp + punch excitement, but I know secretly you are feeling it too! Admit it!)

I also used stamps from the Swirls and I Heart You sets on this little page.

What otherwise ignored stash or tool do you love again when you bring your stamps into the picture? Let us know! Have fun with punches, templates or forgotten stickers and let us see what you come up with.

♥