Cherry Cobbler Carnation

* I've added instructions at the bottom of this post on how to make carnations *

Well, carnations are my favorite kind of flowers and today's card was inspired by a red carnation my daughter gave me when she stopped by to visit last week...how sweet was that! :)  I figured this flower would be perfect for this week's sketch challenge from Stamping 411 because of the flower on the front of the sketch challenge.  I hope you enjoy the card...and the flower too. :)

I had to show the actual flower too, just couldn't get a very good pic. :(

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Stamp Sets:  Elements of Style & On Your Birthday

Card Stock:  Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler & Whisper White

DSP: Mocha Morning
Ink:  StazOn Black
Ribbon:  1/2" Seam Binding in Cherry Cobbler
Scissors:  Deckle
Shimmer Paint:  Champagne Mist
Circle Scissor Cutter

First I cut out 6 circles.  My biggest one was 3 ½”, then 3 ¼”, 2 ¾”, 2 ¼”, 2” and 1 ¾”.  If you want a smaller flower just start with a smaller circle.  I then cut around the edges with a deckle scissors (Stampin’ Up! sold these a long time ago).  When I cut the four biggest circles I didn’t just cut around the circle I weaved in out a bit.  Kind of like a wave going around the circle.  The last two I didn’t weave back and forth, just cut as close to the edge as possible.  

For the red carnation I sponged just a tinge of the edges with StazOn black ink so the ink doesn’t run. I did this sample with Stampin' Up!'s Classic Stampin' Pad in Marina Mist because I wanted it to run into the Whisper White.  Do it on both sides!

I then make sure I have a few layers paper towels and spray each of the flower pieces with water to get them wet...dab off the extra water.  

Next I crinkle crinkle all the pieces.  Note that if you're using Whisper White or Very Vanilla the card stock is not as thick as the rest of Stampin' Up!'s card stock.  The Cherry Cobbler does not rip as easily as the other two, so handle the lighter card stock with care.  

Now carefully open it back up and straighten the edges as best as you can, but don't pull too hard.  Now let it dry...or dry it with the heat gun because you're too impatient like me! lol  Notice how the ink bled.  You want that!

The final step before putting it together is to use your paper piercing tool to split each piece you have (yes, this is a little tedious, but your patience will pay off!), so you now have two of every piece making twelve pieces.  

Now you just layer them with the biggest on the bottom all the way to the top making sure you vary where the edges are at.  

Once you have them in place on the paper piercing mat use your paper piercing tool to put a hole through all of the layers.  Put a brad through it and close it.  

Now starting with the smallest piece in the middle pull it all up and pinch the piece together.  Do this with every piece. 

The final step is to pull the pieces back to your liking.  And if you like sparkle add a little spritz of Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint.  Hope the instructions were simple and you enjoy making carnations of your own!