A New Purchase and Some Other Inspirations for This Card Design

I made this card for my aunt and when I finished,

I remembered that she used to do tole painting.

The influence shows in the design and colors.

I found this photo of a tole tray after making the card.

I had been watching some videos from Papertrey Ink and Splitcoaststampers

on negative die-cut sentiments.  We had also used negative floral and butterfly die-cuts

in our monthly paper making group's sessions this summer.

I started with yellow gingham paper and black card stock and the birthday sentiment die-cut.

Then I added some larger flower negative punches (a Stampin' Up item) and 

some leaf and vine positive die-cuts (Papertrey Ink, I think).

It still didn't look right and I remembered my new purchase:

A smaller Martha Steward floral punch with three coordinating stamps.

I negative punched those smaller flowers among the larger florals.

Then I found some scraps to positive punch with the smaller floral and scatter about.

I used the center stamp from the small floral punch pack to give the small flowers some detail.

A few yellow gold rhinestones complete the look.

It's amazing to me how things come about once creativity sets in!

But also how all your background experiences and knowledge play a part too.

And then you need to have a "stash" to be able to achieve your ideas.

A new craft room to store the "stash" and provide lighting and air-conditioning helps, too!