Wednesday, April 24, 2019

The Greetery - Succulent Gardens No Green Thumb Required

Good morning, friends! Boy, oh, boy do I have a treat for you today. I'm back for Day 3 of The Greetery's debut countdown and today's products are so super fun! On the docket this morning are the new BotaniCuts Succulents Dies, Terrarium Dies, and Sentiment Suite: Thinking Of You stamps. You are going to absolutely fall in love with these Succulent Dies! Succulents are great because they can be any color of the rainbow, so your options are truly boundless. I had a blast putting together a birthday ensemble that I can't wait to give to someone very special. Let's take a closer look!

I love that the Terrarium Dies come in two sizes and I knew I wanted to incorporate both sizes somehow. After a little brainstorming, I decided that the small terrarium was the perfect size for a tag and the large one would make a fabulous shaped card, so that's exactly what I did!

SucculentBirthdayEnsemble1_TheGreetery


I started with the tag. I cut the segmented terrarium shape from gold cardstock that I had xyroned and set it aside. Then, I die cut two full shapes, one from clear cardstock and the other from white cardstock. I sponged a bit of minty blue ink onto the white piece and speckled it with water for some subtle interest. Once that had dried, I stamped it with the sentiment from Sentiment Suite: Thinking Of You and set that aside. I used the same set to stamp the birthday greeting and then cut that using the new Sentiment Suite Basics Dies. I adhered that and the gold piece to the front of the clear cardstock piece and also set that whole bit aside.

SucculentBirthdayEnsemble3_TheGreetery

Next, I die cut the small succulent from white cardstock and blended on ink to make it resemble the real thing. A quick Google search will give you so much inspiration! I assembled the succulent and adhered it to the white layer. Then, I added foam tape to the outer edge of the clear piece (hidden under the gold frame) to create a shaker box. I filled it with fine gravel before sealing everything together. Then, I very loosely braided some black twine and threaded it through the top of the terrarium to act as the hang tag.

Next up was the card. I decided that I wanted to create a shaped card that someone could put on display after their birthday had passed. This would be ideal for someone who really loves succulents, whether they actually have houseplants or not. There are people in my life who adore plants, but either don't have the best track record for keeping them alive or can't have them because their pets take it as a personal challenge to eat any living thing in their homes. This way, they get their plants and no harm will come to their furry companions. Win-win!

SucculentBirthdayEnsemble4_TheGreetery

I began by cutting four sticky-backed, segmented gold pieces and two whole clear pieces with the large Terrarium Die. I snipped off the top ring of two of the gold pieces and then adhered all four to the two clear pieces. I used E6000 to adhere the two panels together. The snipped ring gold pieces are on the inside, making the connection a little thinner and tighter together. I set that aside to dry overnight (just to be safe). You could probably get a similar hold with hot glue and it would be ready to handle faster.

SucculentBirthdayEnsemble5_TheGreetery

Then, I die cut one large and one small succulent. I blended on ink colors that would complement each other, but not match. Then, I die cut a terrarium panel from Kraft cardstock. I free hand cut a "ground" and xyroned it to make it sticky. Before sprinkling it with gravel, I set foam tape into the adhesive to make it easier to attach my succulents. I attached that whole piece inside the card, adhering it along the bottom edge so you wouldn't see the adhesive through the back of the terrarium.

SucculentBirthdayEnsemble2_TheGreetery

Next, I stamped the sentiments from the Sentiment Suite: Thinking Of You set onto their coordinating die cuts and attached them to the front of the card with foam tape. Again, with clear cardstock you need to be mindful of how to hide your adhesives. To conceal mine, I simply adhered a second die cut to the inside of the card. Easy! I also used the braided twine to create a hanger for the card. It's not functionally necessary, but I think it adds a nice softness. Plus, it's a nice touch if someone wants to hang their card rather than put it on a shelf or table.

I am thrilled to pieces about how this ensemble turned out! The gravel adds such a wonderful texture and the colorful succulents are so cheerful. I'll definitely be creating with these succulent dies again soon. I can't wait to try more color combinations and techniques (like watercolor!) to make these dies truly sing. Thank you so much for joining me today! I hope you've enjoyed this look at the debut release from The Greetery! Make sure to pop by The Greetery's blog for more information and visit the other designers that are creating with these gorgeous new projects today:

Heather Nichols
Dawn McVey
Kelly Lunceford
Kay Miller
Laura Bassen

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Supplies:
Succulent Birthday Ensemble

117 comments:

see mary stamp said...

I always admire your fresh take on new stamp sets and dies. Your terrarium card and tag are delightful and the succulents turned out beautifully!

Grams716 said...

These are so nice and I love how you used the fine gravel to add more realism to the terrarium. Very pretty. Thanks for sharing.

Amy McCue said...

Your tags are so pretty!

Kim’s Stampin Patch said...

What a great use for them! tags!!!! Love the subtle colors you chose

Darla said...

LOVE your creativity with these dies! All your added details made these succulents come to life!

Debbie said...

Oh, Lizzie I love your design of a tag and shaped card. They are both so pretty. It is wonderful to see you designing again.

Diane said...

Very cute tag and shaped card. Love you inspiration.

Natalie Winterstein said...

Absolutely gorgeous! The succulents and terrariums are so beautiful!

Nancy said...

Very creative stamps, love how you made into a tag, would be perfect to add to a plant for gift giving!

Amanda said...

They do make wonderful tags!!

Marcia Hill said...

Both the tag and the clear card are SOOOOO pretty Lizzie...someone is going to be so "WOW'd" when they receive these!! :0)

Lori Beseke said...

Love how you used the terrarium dies to make your clear card & tag. Great ideas!

Tami McBeain said...

Such cute ideas, l really like the gravel you used such a fun little touch!

Chris said...

These turned out really neat!

Niccole said...

Lizzy these are beautiful! I love how you added sand/gravel to the card!! Thank you so much for sharing.

Stephanie Clapper said...

Hi Lizzie! Isn’t this exciting?! You must have had so much fun working with Betsy’s new designs! And WOW, your projects are amazing. The gravel was a wonderful, creative touch! Was your large terrarium card made with Kraft? It looks like gold and is gorgeous. I absolutely LOVE your succulent colors, so realistic. This is a beautiful post Lizzie and it’s wonderful to “see “ you again this week! 😊

Joy Meadows said...

Such fabulous creations, Lizzie! I love the tag and the birthday card is so pretty, too. Thanks for the inspiration.

Isabel Z said...

Absolutely stunning!

Jan P. said...

So lovely. I love the colors you chose, as well.

Donna Oates said...

Lovely projects that really showcase these stunning new products we are all going to get to play with soon!

jan metcalf said...

Sharing your excitement for this new Greetery set! Great idea for a clear standup card!

Joan K said...

So helpful to see that you used 1 succulent inside the terrarium tag to give a good perspective on size/proportions. Love your color combos and the way you arranged the sentiments. Can't wait to play with these!

Melissa Sibert said...

Super cute cards.

Cindy Otto said...

Love your samples! So fun!

Birgit said...

Oh my word Lizzie, these are gorgeous done with the clear acetate!! I love your inspiration!!!

Marilyn M said...

Love this card, Lizzie! So creative.

Susan said...

Love your card and tag Lizzie! So creative!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous cards, Lizzie! Love the terrariums! Sue N

Liza Dehnel said...

So inspirational - the gravel just adds that something extra

Scrapthat said...

SO very lovely Lizzie!! Thanks so much for sharing!

Jenny K. said...

Your work is so soft and pretty - beautiful!

Annette Snyder said...

Very pretty!!

Mary W said...

I love to hang things from my window closure and your cards would work great that way. Having the terrarium shape begs to include different flowers and colors. It would be fun to 'plant' the birth month flower in one to give as a birthday card. Great inspiration!

TLady said...

HOW FUN, Lizzie! I'm ONE OF THOSE that don't do well with plants! I HAVE TRIED! LOL I LOVE this little terrarium & succulents! THIS is the ONLY WAY, other than silk, that I have plants anymore! LOL I think you did a WONDERFUL JOB on both your tag AND your card!!!! CAN'T WAIT to see MORE with what you do with these! A SUPER JOB!! ;) INKY HUGS! <3

hulla said...

Thanks for posting the two sizes. Sometimes I'm so busy looking at all the pretty pictures that I don't read the post!

BarbaraB said...

Oh my! Both the card and tag are gorgeous! The terrariums look so realistic since you used the gold paper and the gravel. Love them!!!

Pauline T. said...

Wow, I love your projects today! I have been wanting to use real sand on a project and this totally inspires me to give it a try!

Crystal O. Minkler said...

Wow! Love your card and tag! So beautiful!!

Karthikha said...

Wow! Love the tag and the beautiful transparent card!! So creative! :)

Robin said...

Love your tags and card designs, Lizzie! The colors are just beautiful!

Susan Beauchaine said...

Beautiful card and tag! Awesome!

mel h said...

Simply beautiful cards. The clear card is just amazing and so detailed.

Wanda Cullen said...

Gorgeous projects! Friday can't get here soon enough - lol!

Diana K said...

So pretty and so very creative. Love how you achieved all of that subtle shading in the succulents!

DGolly said...

Great cards. Love the look with the window sheets as glass. So much fun!

Jan said...

Great cards--I liked your addition of the gravel for a touch of realism.

Leslie said...

So loving your cards today! Just beautiful!

Cynthia C. said...

Love your take on these great products!!

Esther Asbury said...

Absolutely gorgeous card and matching tag! Such a creative and fun idea -- both are stunning!

cghundley said...

These creations are
fabulous! Love the
card.
Carla from Utah

Paula I said...

This card and tag set is just so pretty, love the touch of gold with the rustic succulents.

Sue D said...

Great idea to make a tag and shaped card with the two sizes.

Andre M. said...

These designs are fabulous and make these products shine. Thanks for sharing your creativity.

Martha Herrera said...

So pretty! Love the color combo.
Thanks for the inspiration.

acons said...

Your card makes a gorgeous display and the tag is so pretty! Love the colors of your succulents, too - you rocked it, Lizzie! (literally 😁)

Kathy Mc said...

Appreciate your detailed post, Lizzie, and gorgeous ensemble! Some lucky friend will proudly display these. You’ve made Betsy proud once again!

merryf said...

stunning stunning stunning! I love your detailed instructions -- and what a great idea to use clear cardstock! I love these!

blaze said...

Hey Lizzie! Love what you've done here - the colors, the gold, the gravel, the arrangement... oh, I just love all the things! How special this week has been! I am just all ver klempt at seeing my all time favorite designers!

sharon g said...

Such pretty colors. YIKES, all of you ladies have made such gorgeous succulents--I really love the colors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Laura Jean D. said...

Something about this screams environmentalism. I love it. So realistic. Thank you for sharing.

katrynka said...

The gravel idea is genius!!! I love your creations! So pretty.

Traci M said...

Really cute cards today and love your display idea, Lizzie!! And the tiny gravel is genius!! Thanks for sharing!!

Suzanne Russell said...

I'm loving all the ink blending going on at The Greetery! It's been a while coming for me, but it's my favorite way to color these days. Your projects with these new products are so beautiful.

Janet said...

Thanks for showing us great ways to use the 2 sizes of Terrarium dies. Perfect!

Sandy V said...

Loving your take on the succulents, beautiful examples!

Natasha said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Love that you filled the shaker with the fine gravel to make it even more realistic.

Kim Klinkovsky.My Kraft Kloset said...

Just beautiful. Very creative. Just lovely for many occasions.

Vickie R. said...

I love that you used fine grain gravel for your shaker tag! I never would have thought of that! :)

StephH said...

So creative Lizzie! I like your use of the decorative sand for a realistic look at the bottom of those terrariums!

Vicki A said...

Wow, Lizzie! How beautiful!

Anne B said...

Love your tag and card, Lizzie - just gorgeous.

Denise Bryant said...

Gorgeous tags!

Jennifer Rasnick said...

Beautiful tags!

Roxana B said...

Oh man! I love your creativity and the cards you created, especially the one with the acetate!

Cyndi said...

Gorgeous projects. I love those BotiniCuts succulents.

Christine said...

Each of you designers has done wonderful things with the beautiful succulent dies! I love your projects!

Sue D said...

Very creative... and beautiful!! I really like that you created terrarium-shaped projects. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

Katherine said...

Such a beautiful set! Your color style really inspires me. I’ll be excited to see your ongoing work with Betsy, I know it will be great.

Joanne said...

So soft and pretty. Love your ideas.

Sandy C said...

Thanks for your inspiration. I DO love a card with acetate!

carol (krillsister) said...

Great projects.

ErinS said...

Very creative ideas Lizzie. Great cards.

3 Happy Crafters said...

I love the 3-d effect you gave these terrariums. Beautiful!

LR said...

Your tag and card are wonderful!

Dawn Y. said...

Both your tag and card are just delightful, Lizzie! It's so wonderful to see my favorite designers together again. Pure joy! We are all feeling excited and inspired this week! 💗

Kathleen said...

Lizzie, think you are an engineer at heart. Great projects. Hope I can recreate it. So beautiful.

Linda BL said...

I absolutely love your card and the terrarium tag. That little tag is adorable.

gardener said...

Clever clever projects. Love these dies.

Mutzy Mia said...

Your terrariums turned out darling! Love the colors of the succulent on the tag. Both of your projects turned out so realistic...complete with the gravel! So nice to see everyone supporting Betsy with such wonderful projects.

Miriam Prantner said...

I love the idea of using these for tags, it's such a unique and gorgeous tag!

tycodmom said...

Yet another beautiful set of cards.

Cynde said...

Lizzie I love your gift ideas and the gravel makes the setting for the succulents so realistic. Genius!
Love your cards

Betty Neville said...

What an amazing project - love it! Lucky recipient!

Julie L said...

I really love these terrariums! They are so adorable!

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

So fun!!! Thanks for sharing these wonderful projects!

Lisa Dolson said...

Sweet, sweet projects, Lizzie! Those dies are amazing!

karen said...

Lizzie, love your tag project and the colors you used. Really beautiful!

Cindy C said...

LOve the colors you used....so cute!

Melanie Ann MacKenzie said...

Brilliant ideas! Love that sweet little tag and such a great idea for the card! Cheers.

Collette J said...

You always have such original ideas. Love the gravel touch. Colors are gorgeous.

Lizzie T a/k/a Wifelady said...

These are TOO CUTE! I love the touch of gravel -- so fun!

jengd said...

I love the idea of making these tags and the gravel is a fun shaker!

Mary Holshouser said...

Fantastic card and tag.
Using the clear for the
terrarium is a great idea.
Hang it in a window and
you can see through it.
thanks for sharing
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

Karen said...

Both cards are wonderful! Fine gravel as the shaker element is truly inspired!

Jadestewart said...

I love you creativity.

Julie518 said...

Gorgeous use of today's release - thanks for sharing!

Heidi Gonzales said...

I love both your tag and your card! What a great way to showcase that die with a clear card... Nice work!

Kathleen said...

These are both stunning. I especially love the succulent that is light green with the pink tips! Those are my favorites in real life too! Great use of the dies for shaped cards!

Anonymous said...

Marisela Delgado said: Beautiful colors. mariandmonsterd@yahoo.com

Amy C. said...

I just love these new products! Beautiful job! I love the shaker version.

Amy C. said...

I just love these new products! Beautiful job! I love the shaker version.

Lindsey said...

Absolutely love these, Lizzie! The sand was such an awesome addition.

D.Ann C said...

Oh. My. Goodness. !!!. Simply fabulous!! LOVE the see-through shaped card!! MUST CASE!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh these are so neat!
Sheila W

Lwardwallace said...

Just so adorable. Love your shakers. So cute.

KristieH said...

Love the shaker with rocks...so cool for a terrarium!

Kerry said...

Love the colors on the succulent in the tag. I had no idea they really came is so many colors. Great clear card too.