Set Sampler

I imagine none of you do this...but I sometimes buy a stamp set and then find myself stumped for ideas. But I HAD to have it at one point for some reason or another. Or I have sets that sit neglected because I am just plain un-inspired. I have issued myself a challenge and you can feel free to play along if you wish. I will periodically pull a stamp set from my shelf and make a set sampler, ranging from simple to more complex. Put the set to the test, so to speak.
My first stamp set is SU's Bella Blossoms. This is actually a newer purchase for me. Christine and Mary Jo rocked on some cards they made and I HAD to have it. After I got it, I just stared at it for the longest time. Maybe I thought it was going to do some tricks or something, lol. Nothin'! After a bit of time, here are 3 samples.
This first one is a simple version.

I inked the stamp up with markers and pads (pink pirouette, certainly celery, old olive, pretty in pink, regal rose, chocolate chip) and stamped it onto white card stock. It is matted with chocolate chip, has some simple piercing, a sentiment and a button. The card base is pink pirouette. Easy right?? Using a couple of different shades of pink and green gives a flat image some life but keeps it simple.
Card two steps it up just a bit...

Here I used the rock n roll technique on the flowers (baja breeze and pacific point) and then stamped it again in just PP, cut out the centers and layered it onto the first flower with a dimensional. I used the 1 3/8" circle punch and the scalloped circle punch. I cut a 2" strip of baja breeze and repeatedly stamped it with the flower using BB ink. To carry the scallop theme, I layered it with a very vanilla panel that was punched with the scallop border punch. Finish it off with a sentiment and some wide vanilla grosgrain ribbon. This card could easily be done in many different colors.
Card three is a stepped up version...

I have to say, I love how this turned out! The red is so striking against the yellow. I inked up the flower with my riding hood red ink pad, then added certainly celery and old olive for the leaves and stems. I used my Coluzzle to cut a circle around the flower, trimming the flower that fit outside the circle by hand. I stamped a couple more layers of the flower and leaf, trimmed them by hand and layered them with dimensionals. The second layer of the flower also has some bravo burgundy sponged on the edges, just to give it a bit more dimension. The DP is from the upcoming SAB pack that you can get for free when you order $50.00 in product. The pack comes with 16 sheets of double sided DP (4 sheets of 4 different designs)! I chose this so saffron piece so I could use one of the other SAB freebies, saffron ribbon. I love that SU is giving us 2 non-stamp choices this time! The wide grosgrain is packed in a bundle with some celery twill ribbon, you are gonna love it!! Anyway, the DP has some faux stitching around it (using an Anna Wight trick-a tracing wheel), is layered with so saffron and then onto a white card base which measures 5 1/4" square. Four black brads tie in the black scalloped frame I used. That frame is the only non-SU item I used on any of these cards, but I didn't have an SU alternative short of just a plain circle.
So what do you think? Did I do the set justice? Did it offer you some inspiration? I hope so! I wonder what set I should tackle next?