Cherish Dreams by Sue Smyth

Hi Sue here is my latest layout for Couture Creations.

One of the things I like most in a layout is texture and colour. Today I have achieved this with Couture Creations embossing folders and dies.

Close up of the flowers created by using the Sunflower die by Couture Creations

You can see I have adjusted the colours of the flowers with Glimmer mists and inks.

Step 1

emboss a long strip of cardstock, insert cardstock into folder and emboss, take out of the folder and insert the other end and emboss. The larger 5 x 7 embossing folders should meet in the middle so you can hardly see the join. Then dry brush with gesso.

Spritz with a glimmer mist of your choice that matches the layout. Try mixing colours and if you don't like it wipe off with a wet hand wipe and start again.

To create flowers cut out 2 of the four smallest shapes, and 2 more of three smallest shapes using the sunflower nesting dies. So you will have the layers to make three flowers, one large and two medium sized. Don't be afraid to mix and match and vary layers, the more layers the fuller the flower.

Ink the edges with Mixed Media Inx, Jasmine, this ink is so reactive that when it is wet it will run and bleed,

Ink the middle layers with a red or pink ink of your choosing.

Cut slits into each petal section of all layers.

A little tip is to cut the 2 layers at once to save a bit of time.

Bunch up 6 stamens, cut them in half and apply

a little hot glue to the ends to make them into a bunch. I use

my fingers to roll them but glue is hot so be careful, I find if you count to 5

after you put it on, you can handle it before it sets.

Pierce holes into the centres of each layer and thread onto the stamen bunches.

Starting with the smallest and working back to the largest.

I find the easiest way to make the holes is with a mouse pad and a sharp pointy pair

of scissors like the ones from Couture Creations, as I can tell where the centre is better than using a plier punch, also some of the larger layers, the plier punch will not reach to the centre