Welcome to the first ever Inkreator’s Blog Hop.  If you’re joining me from Love Life Lauren then no doubt you will have already been inspired by the uber talented Lauren Matthews or if  you’re starting here then make sure you hop all the way round just follow the link at the end of this post.

Each month we will be showcasing one particular product, tool or theme using current Stampin’ Up! product.

First up this month is the Pretty Petals designer series paper.  I love the bold flower patterns but if you prefer a smaller more generic pattern then the reverse side of these papers will be right up your alley.  It comes in the new 15.2 x15.2 cm stacks which are perfect for card making and have a coordinating cardstock pack – and this week your in luck the Pretty Petals stack is on sale in the Weekly Deals.

My first card for you today features the paper in a wide banner behind my stamped image.  I’ve kept the layout simple which allows the flower, from the set Remarkable You, to be the focal point.  The flower was stamped in Staz-on on watercolour paper then coloured using Calypso Coral ink.   A custom envelope finishes it all off.  How I love that matchy matchy feeling when you  line the envelope with coordinating paper.  I think it satisfies my OCD tendencies!

This next card definitely didn’t turn out like I saw it in my head.  Does this ever happen to you?  I’d planned to use one of the bolder floral patterns but to be honest it was just too busy.  So I just turned the paper over and used the reverse pattern which in retrospect I think I like more.  The flowers are from a 2-step set called Wild About Flowers and coordinate well with several of the Pretty Petals designs.

That’s it from me today.  Make sure you hop on over to Laura Browning’s blog, I’m sure she has something fabulous to inspire you.  Don’t forget to leave a little comment love on the way.