Spring is upon us  … I can’t wait to see more flowers , warmer weather and longer days. 

I love seeing different flowers and plants that grow around me and enjoy seeing the bees and butterflies enjoying them too. 

The rustic garden kit came with 2 flower stickers and they are transparent.  This has inspired me to create these botanical specimen cards.  

I thought I can use the cards to embellish my journal pages , or even send some to my friend for them enjoy and also use in their journals.  These cards would also be good for autumn themed botanical specimen cards – you can use mushroom images ,  pressed acer leaves , etc. 

What  do I need ?

I used a frame die  that I had in my craft supplies and the papers from the kit.  The wooden effect from the kit papers  give out a  nature / botanical theme.  I also cut out some plain card stock for the back of the frames.   This will make the frames more sturdy . 

I pulled out similar stickers  from my stash to make a few of the specimen cards.   

I made sure that the  stickers that will fit nicely in the  frames.  

The cut apart strips also came handy as I can use them to embellish the front of my specimen cards. 

Laminating the stickers 

For the transparent film effect , I stuck the stickers in a laminating sheet and laminated them.  

I was so worried at first as the stickers were plasticky .

I wasn’t sure whether they would get ruined from laminating.  

FYI , they survived the heat …whew!

Putting things together 

The laminated stickers will now have to be placed in between 2 frames. The decorative card stock for the front  and  the plain card stock at the back.   Make sure that the images is at the centre of the frame.  

Use double sided tape to stick the frames together.

Just make sure that you take your time as there is  little room for errors. 

If you want a vintage effect , use vintage photo ink to ink the edges of the card.  

Embellish the front of the cards using the stickers and cut part sheet that was included in the kit. 

DIY envelopes

I created 3 coin envelopes from the left over kit papers.  The envelopes had different closures.

The cut apart sheet and cards are again handy in embellishing / decorating the front of the envelopes.   I think this will look adorable  in journal layouts to keep hidden journaling or any other memorabilia ( receipts ,  photos , tokens , etc) 

This turned out great !

I can’t wait to use them in my journal  or send out as happy mail.  

This would be a lovey embellishment for a botanical/gardening or nature themed journaling. 

What if you don’t have stickers?

If you don’t have the stickers ,  why not pick some flowers and leaves ?

Press it in between 2 heavy books (you don’t need to buy a flower press ).

The dried leaves and flowers can be laminated for your specimen cards. 

The dried flowers and leaves survived the heat too.

I hope this little make has inspired you .  Please do post in the group if you have them too .  I would love to see what to have created and how you have used them in your journal.

I hope you are all having a good week …

Big crafty Hugs, 

Sheryll