Betsy's Blossoms Punch Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  What people somehow (inadvertently, I'm sure) forgot to mention when we were children was that we need to make messes in order to find out who we are and why we are here... - Anne Lamott

I recently finished reading the book Bird By Bird:  Some Instructions On Writing And Life by Anne Lamott.  Whether you are a writer or not, this book is wonderful!  I know I will be sharing many lessons I picked up while enjoying her pages.  When I read this sentence I had to smile.  Smile at the memories of making messes as a kid - mud pies, kitchen disasters, melting crayons.  What I was also smiling about is that I believe the need to make messes still exists for us as adults!  We are always searching to figure out who we are and why we are here (at least I am) and making messes in the craft room helps me on my way.  So if you came to this blog looking for permission to make a mess in your creative space....you got it!!!!!!  You have my permission, blessing, encouragement and support to make a big mess in your craft space on your journey to discovering who you are and why you are here :)  Enjoy!!!!
Today's card was created by allowing myself to make a bit of a mess at my cousin's house (thanks for letting me make a mess in your space Brenda!).  I began by inking up the large flower in Betsy's Blossoms with three colors of ink - from light to dark - Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose and Rich Razzleberry - and stamping it on the card base.  I then used a scrap piece of paper to stamp the same flower twice except that before stamping the image, I spritzed it.  I had wanted to spritz with water, but since there was none immediately handy, I just grabbed the Stampin' Mist bottle and sprayed with that!  I think it contributed to turning things a bit murky in color - so I might suggest using water instead.  But if you want to go ahead and make a mess using your Stampin' Mist - you have my permission, remember?! :)  I then punched two of the flowers out using the Blossom punch and then began scrunching and smooshing and rolling until I had the flowers pretty textured.  The flowers were layered and glued on top of one another.  I then hand cut a few leaves and gave them veins with a bone folder.  I sponged the edges for some added dimension before adhering them to the card.  A button with some linen thread finishes the flower.  The sentiment is from Delightful Dozen (it is a set that I am now going to buy since I used it so much at my cousin's and really enjoyed it!).  I hope you like it...now go make a mess!!!!