Happy Hollyhocks

Hello fellow papercrafters.  What's more summery than colorful flowers? The Impression Obsession Hollyhocks die has been super popular ever since it was released several years ago.  So today I am welcoming summer with a series of cards starring the hollyhocks in vibrant colors.

For this first card, a cat sits patiently staring at the hollyhocks growing beneath the window.  I added a little fence and a birdhouse to the vignette and a sweet sentiment. (Be sure to double click on the card to see more detail). Window – Impression Obsession dies Hollyhocks, Birdhouses and Cats; Poppystamps die Madison Window small; Taylored Expressions dies Wrought Iron Fence and Designer Mini Tags; TE stamp set Many Minis Occasions; Cuttlebug embossing folder Swiss Dots; design inspired by Jenny Garlick

Another cat prowls the garden dwarfed by the tall hollyhocks.

Hello – Impression Obsession dies Hollyhocks and Cats; Penny Black die Flower Tags; Poppystamps die Grassland Border; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Salutations; Cuttlebug embossing folder Swiss Dots; design inspired by Jenny Garlick

The sentiment "You Color My World" says it all!You Color My World – Impression Obsession die Hollyhocks; Poppystamps die Madison Window large; Amuse sentiment stamp; Cuttlebug embossing folder Swiss Dots; design inspired by Jenny Garlick

One more garden of blooms, this time with a sweet bird. Miss You – Impression Obsession die Hollyhocks; Paper Smooches die Word Bubbles; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Salutations; Memory Box dies Perched Reedbird and Wildflower Landscape; Cuttlebug embossing folder Swiss Dots; design inspired by Jenny Garlick

Ok, I went from all that color to a very neutral gray, but the hollyhocks are still stately even when cut from white cardstock.  This would be a nice sympathy card too.Congratulations – Impression Obsession dies Hollyhocks and Scribble Circles; design inspired by Melissa Kay By Design

From the Archives ...

Here are two cards from the past, both of which show off the beauty of the hollyhocks.  Hollyhocks by the Picket Fence – Impression Obsession dies Hollyhocks, Tall Grass, Grass Border and Picket Fence; Memory Box die Dancing Butterflies and Puffy Clouds; Poppystamps die Fancy Clouds; design inspired by Kitty Caracciolo

I love this next card because the rusty pail looks so real.  To create this card, die cut the white cardstock with the IO die Fancy Cutout Border and adhere it to a blue card with foam tape.  Die cut the pail and handle then color them using a dry brush and Distress Ink Rusty Hinge.  Die cut the hollyhocks, chalk the centers then cup the flowers on a foam mat using a large stylus. 

Arrange and adhere flowers in this sequence (front to back):

•  3 hollyhocks (bottom parts trimmed)
•  2 tall grasses
•  1 leafy branch (stem trimmed)

Glue the pail’s handle to the pail and adhere pail to card with foam tape.  Stamp greeting on flower die; tie on twine and tie in bow; glue greeting to pail.  Chalk butterflies and glue to card as shown. Hollyhocks in a Rusty Pail – Impression Obsession dies Hollyhocks, Tall Grass, Leafy Branch, Fancy Cutout Border and Pail; Memory Box die Dancing Butterflies; Taylored Expressions stamp and die set Many Mini’s All Occasions

One more card and this one is from my customer Bea Mieckowki.  It features the rusty pail too but she placed her Hollyhock garden against a brick wall.  So pretty!  Thanks Bea for sharing.

Enjoy your summer and stop in the The Stamp Act for all your papercrafting needs.