Saturday, August 15, 2026

Inkspirational #374 Word Prompt - Garden

 Today there's a new challenge up over at Inkspirational Challenge.  #374 Word Prompt - Garden

So I literally went out to my garden, picked some pansies and a few leaves from other plants to press for this card!

I laid the blossoms and leaves, face side down onto a panel of water color paper.  I folded a piece of computer paper in half and inserted the panel inside (to absorb moisture) and then ran it through my Big Shot.  I took the panel out, removed it from the folded computer paper, and scraped off the bits of pansies and leaves that were left on the card stock  - and a print was left.   I added orange gems, stamped the sentiment and ran along the edge of the panel with a gold Sharpie pen.  

Every time you press a panel it comes out different - depending on the blooms and the leaves used (some plant leaves don't leave any green so it's trial and error!)

The wetness of the fresh blooms pressed against the paper can make the cardstock damp and curl a bit. I laid the panels out overnight to dry and then laid heavy books on top of them to help flatten them.

Here are several more cards I made using geranium and pansy petals.  On many of these I didn't use any leaves.  I used plain white card stock on a couple of them.




So please join us and show us how "Garden" inspires you!  You'll find some lovely inspiration from the rest of the team as well as Mr. Linky over at Inkspirational!

This challenge ends on Aug 28th

Also linking my first card to:

Anything Goes  ends 8/19

Summer  ends 8/17

Make it Colorful  ends 8/18



Stamps:Beyond Basic Borders - PTI (retired)
Ink:  Nocturne - Versafine Clair
Paper:  Water Color Cardstock - Spellbinders, white - PTI, computer paper.
Other Supplies:  Pansy and Geranium blossoms, different green leaves from my garden, Candy Gems - Waffle Flower, Big Shot.

17 comments:

cm said...

GASP! Julia, your 'real flower' cards are absolutely gorgeous! What a fabulous technique for creating lovely prints - and for preserving the beauty of your pretty blooms. I can imagine the texture is wonderful as well. In awe, again, at your wide range of talents; fantastic inspiration for our Garden theme.
hugs~carol

Loll said...

WOW! Gorgeous botanical cards from your garden Julia. They are all so beautiful. Amazing colour transfer from your beautiful blooms. Great work! xx

Lisa Elton said...

Wow, these are so cool! What incredible results you got!

HilaryJane said...

What a clever idea. I have never thought of using a die cutting machine to press flowers. Brilliant. I love them all xx

Christine said...

Wow, incredible colours from your pressed flowers, this is one of my favourite techniques. I usually have leaves but now I want to try full flowers xx

Jeanne H said...

Well done! Your cards are wonderful. WIsh I had a garden; lucky you. TFS

Susan B said...

Wow - I've never managed such great results when I've tried that technique! I must remember to try it with pansies. What a gorgeous set of cards!

Marlena M. said...

JULIA!!! These are gorgeous! I didn't know one could just press them on like that; fabulous inspiration friend~

Hansi Brittain said...

Wow!!! These are gorgeous! They look so soft and vintage. I have never heard of this technique and can't wait to try it. I don't have anything in bloom right now thanks to this impressive heat, but I will try it soon. Thank you so much for fresh inspiration!

Barb Finnical said...

Julia, this is a brilliant idea! I love these flowers so much, and I'm so glad you thought to make cards out of them. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful creations with us at Word Art Wednesday! :)

Bonnie said...

You got wonderful results with this technique, Julia! Your pansy prints are perfect! You have the makings for many beautiful garden cards!

Gillena Cox said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anke said...

WOW WOW WOW absolutely stunning, I love your idea and your wonderful cards, Julia.

Hugs
Anke

The Rev. Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I LOVE these! I have a flower press that I got years ago, but never think about it. You've just inspired me to pull it out!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Absolutely amazing set of cards with the pressed flowers, Julia!! Especially love the ones where the color ran down the card - very artsy!!

alice k. said...

Julia, these are so cool! I never thought one could crush them with Big Shot and have shied away from using a hammer. Gorgeous!

pearshapedcrafting said...

What a brilliant technique - these are all so beautiful and perfect for Sympathy cards.Thanks so much for joining us at Try It On Tuesday, Chris