Stitched Stems
By Diane Michioka
Use direct-to-paper technique by swiping large sections of a half sheet of Glossy Paper (5RI-PAP12887) (on the glossy side) with Peeled Paint Distress Ink Pad (5TH-TIM20233) and overlap other sections using Old Paper Distress Ink Pad (5TH-TIM19503). Immediately take a 2" x 2" piece of Cut-N-Dry Foam (5RI-CND14607) and dip foam into a bowl of water squeezing excess water out. Swipe in random directions over inked glossy paper surface to blend and direct distress inks. Let dry.
Using Distress Embossing Ink Pad (5TH-TIM21643), stamp Elegant Stems (C8412) on to section of inked glossy paper. Generously sprinkle Black Soot Distress Embossing Powder (5TH-TIM21094) over embossing inked imaged, shaking off excess. Use Coloriser Heat Tool (5EK-EKHG01) on high to set embossing powder. Let cool. Test corner of image to see if powder is set. If so, use fingertip to brush release crystals to create a distressed look. Use embossing ink and stamp the floral image from Fresh Flowers Trim Stamp (C8417) on to section of inked glossy paper. Sprinkle Peeled Paint Distress Embossing Powder (5TH-TIM21148) over only a section of embossing inked image. Shake off excess powder. Sprinkle Antique Linen Distress Embossing Powder (5TH-TIM21087) over remaining section of image. Shake off excess. Use Heat Tool to set powders. Once set, rub off release crystals. Trim around Elegant Stems image to 2 1/4" x 5 1/2"; and around other images to 1" x 5 1/2".
Using Peeled Paint distress ink, lightly stamp the flourish image from Fresh Flowers Elements (C8466) multiple times on to a piece of linen writing paper. Place Elegant Stems decorated paper panel onto center of linen paper. Thread needle and bobbin of Janome Sew Petite (5JA-SEWPETITE) with beige color thread (set tension at 4.) Start at bottom of left stem, following along side of embossed stem image, with straight Stitch B for 1", switch to medium zigzag Stitch G for 2 inches, switch back to Stitch B for final 1/2". Trim threads at both ends to 1". Sew similarly (using small zigzag Stitch F, as well) along side of middle and right stems. Place one of the floral trim decorated paper panels onto linen paper, right of the sewn panel. Thread sewing machine with black color thread, keeping beige thread in bobbin. Starting at bottom, mimic the design of right side flower by sewing the stem as others, creating bud of flower by sewing curved petals, slowly turning paper and pressing Backstitch button, return to base of bud. Repeat three to create three petals. Repeat on left side, mimicking left flower by sewing straight petals, about nine times. Trim all threads to 1". Tear linen paper 1/4" around stitched panels. Fold in half a 10 1/2" x 6 1/2" sheet of black cardstock; adhere sewn linen paper to front side of card.
