A craft like card marking comes with a lot of options for tools. But sometimes, getting back to basics can have stunning results. In this card, we make stamping the focus of a card.

We use a technique called “Generational Stamping” here to get variation and depth in our stamping. The first generation of stamping is the first impression after inking a stamp. Second generation is the 2nd impression, without re-inking the stamp. The lighter color of the 2nd impressions gives a feeling of being farther away than the darker ink.

Starting with a Thick White card base and Berry Burst ink, I created an offset “V” to look like the sweep of a branch of compound flowers. I stamped twice in each location without re-inking and slightly offset. This gives a fuller look than the single set of flowers.

Next, I added a few speckled stamps among the branches in Blackberry Bliss ink.

Next, we will be adding the branch portion of the flowers in Pretty Peacock. In this case, we want the flowers to be the focus and want the branch to take a back seat. To achieve this, we’ll use *only* the 2nd generation of the inked stamp. This is called “Stamping Off”. You use scratch paper for the first generation, then use the 2nd generation on your project. I aligned the branches with the darker flower set along each branch.

And just like that, we have our card background complete!

For our sentiment , we use the Hello Friend stamp and the Decorative Circle Punch. I used the Banners Pick-a-Punch to create a 1″ wide banner to set off the sentiment. Add a few Dimensionals to the back.

I cut 2 pieces of the frond from the Textured Florals dies out of Pretty Peacock cardstock, with Adhesive sheet stick to the back. On a small fiddly piece like this, it’s so much easier to apply the adhesive before cutting. Then you just peel the backing off and stick it down. Add the fronds to the card front as shown.

Wrap a little Linen Thread and stick it to the back of the sentiment

Place the sentiment and add a Wink of Stella to fin