Hope Grows Tip Sheet

Here are some tips and trimming suggestions for my new set, Hope Grows, from Gina K Designs.


The Large Flower Stem

The large flower stem can be colored or paper pieced.

If masked or cut out, they can be layered with the two larger branch images.

Try stamping it a second time and popping up a single flower, or the flower center.

This would be a great image for the spotlighting technique.


The Single Silhouette Flower

The single silhouette flower is sized to work with the four-leaf large branch. Stamp the flower so that is “blooming” between the two leaves on each stem.

Use techniques like thumping, kissing and rock & roll.

Use it to create a pattern background.


The Small Flower Stem (silhouette)

Use it to create a pattern background, either with the other silhouette flower, or small branches, or singly.

Use it to accent the quote sentiment or Enjoy Your Day sentiment.

Make a paper vase using punches for it, or borrow a vase from other stamp sets you may have.



The Branches

These can be focal images for CAS (clean and simple) designs, or background images for more detailed projects.

Used individually, they would make wonderful sympathy or masculine cards.

With the larger branches, have them “bloom” with buttons, die cut flowers, stamped and popped up flowers, gems or cut out flowers from your favorite pattern paper.

Use as a backdrop for some of the other images in the set – the flowers, dove, owl or butterflies.

Stamp the smaller branches, along with the smaller flowers, to create your own pattern paper.

Stamp the branches in varying shades, or ghost stamp to indicate depth in scenes.


The Owl and Dove

The owl symbolizes great insight, wisdom and maturity.

You can leave the owl on his branch, or cut him out, after stamping, and place him on another branch.

The dove symbolizes innocence, gentleness, faith, marital affection, peace and constancy.

The dove can be placed on one of the branches, or stamped individually.

Use the dove on sympathy cards, Christmas cards, messages of hope and love.




The Butterflies

The butterfly symbolizes change, resurrection, transformation, celebration, young love and the soul.

The bold lines in the large butterfly would make it wonderful for paper piecing.

Position the smaller butterflies so that they are resting on the tip of a flower petal.

Combine the smaller butterflies with the small branches to make beautiful backgrounds for your focal images.

These would be beautiful images to use glitter, or other sparkly materials.



The Sentiments

Hugs/Kisses is intended to for two step stamping with the “&” Try stamping Hugs/Kisses in a dark ink and the “&” in a lighter ink.

Use Hugs & Kisses with your circle punches and die cuts

Use the Elna Rae quote as a focal image, and use the silhouettes to accent it.

Use the quote with other flower stamps in your collection.

Enjoy Your Day will work well in smaller oval punches and make a wonderful hanging tag on a card.



Project Ideas

Cards and scrapbook pages.

Decorate candles for wedding presents.

Use the branches to make elegant wrapping paper.

Decorate simple, inexpensive gift bags to coordinate with your cards.

Use the stamps as a pattern to etch glass and make elegant candle holders and vases to use as gifts.

Bookmarks

Wedding or party favor boxes.

Stamp on lacy handkerchiefs.

Embellish projects with elegant, rich looking supplies – pearls, gems, gold lined ribbon, crystal lacquer, metallic papers, etc.


Cutting Tips

I always try to include a straight line or two when I'm laying out my illustrations, so you can first trim it into sections before cutting out the individual stamps. In Hope Grows, there is a pretty straight channel just below the owl and blossom quote. Cut there as shown above.

Next, for the bottom section, cut between the butterfly and dove, at a slight angle and continue between the small butterfly and hugs/kisses sentiment.

For the top section, cut up from the owl and continue between the large flower stem and the two small images beside it. You'll have to cut at a slight curve for this section and it might be easier to cut to midway, then start over from the top and cut down to where you stopped.

Once you have it into the four sections, it should be fairly straightforward to go from there, but here are the next cuts I did in case it helps anyone.

Here is how I arranged mine on the binder sheet. I was able to fit them in the same positions as shown on the cover sheet. I like to do that when I can since it makes it quicker for me to find the stamp I'm looking for.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!