Today’s Simon Says Stamp Always There release Instagram hop is officially underway, so be sure to head over to my Instagram to hop along for even more inspiration from the full release. For my contribution, I chose to feature the Gorgeous Hydrangea Embossing Folder and Die set because apparently I remain deeply committed to florals, layered dimension, and making embossing folders work overtime.Possibly an excessive decision sometimes… but still a good one.

For this card, I really wanted to lean into everything this embossing folder and die combination does best. The embossing folder alone already creates beautiful texture and depth, but adding the coordinating die cut layer with foam adhesive takes that dimensional effect even further. It’s one of my favorite kinds of product design because it does a significant amount of the heavy lifting while still allowing plenty of room for creative customization.

Featured Supplies

• Gorgeous Hydrangea Embossing Folder and Die
• EZ Strips Reverse Traditional Wedding
• Love Script and Shadow Die
• EZ Strips Die

Using Distress Spray Stains with a water brush allowed me to build soft variation throughout the hydrangea petals while preserving that airy, watercolor-inspired feel. I love this approach because it creates movement and color variation without feeling overly controlled, which worked especially well for florals like hydrangeas that naturally benefit from softer transitions.

The layered die cut over the embossed base really became the defining design feature here. That added lift gives the bloom stronger visual presence while still maintaining elegance, and it reinforced exactly why these embossing folder and die combinations are so satisfying to work with. There’s already texture. Then there’s added dimension. It’s essentially paper crafting with excellent priorities.

I also appreciated how the cleaner card base allowed the hydrangea to remain the clear focal point. Sometimes a product this detailed simply deserves room to breathe rather than additional competition.

This card felt like the perfect balance of softness, structure, and layered impact… with just enough shimmer and floral drama to keep things interesting.