Masculine Thanks

I'm finding that I am not having as difficult a time doing quick and simple cards as much as I used to. Even my daughter noticed it. When I showed her the card for this post she said, "Wow, what happened? You did a simple card!" (LOL)

I needed a thank you card for a male friend, so going with vintage, frills or collage wasn't an option anyway. I also needed to get it done quickly, which always aids in the decision to use less product.

I adore Bonsai trees which is the main reason I bought the Plant Hope set. Having only used the palm tree in the set so far, I figured it was time to get more use out of it. I colored the Bonsai stamp with markers, misted it with water, and then stamped it on watercolor paper. I then misted the paper to get the colors to bleed a little bit.

Be careful when doing this, start with just one or two light mists to see what the colors do. You can always add more water, but there's not much you can do once the colors have all bled into a muddy blob because the paper is soaked. :)

I then layered the image on a distressed piece of soft suede. The ribbon is Pear Pizzazz seam binding with Hemp Twine layered on top of that. I only put adhesive in the middle of the image mat so that the corners and edges stayed "loose" for some added dimension. The card base is textured Early Espresso cardstock.

Stamps: Plant Hope
Ink: Early Espresso, Old Olive and Soft Suede Markers
Paper: Early Espresso Textured, Soft Suede, Watercolor Paper
Misc.: Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Natural Hemp Twine


Make it a great day!!

Coming out of the dark...

So what's a girl to do when the desire to create seems to have flown the coop? Well, sometimes you just have to force yourself to make something...anything. My day job has been kind of sucking the life force out of me lately. :) Tired of giving in to the dark side, I made myself go into my studio this past weekend and play.

Here is my first attempt:

I felt kind of like a first time crafter. It's been months since I picked up any type of stamp or tool. It was fun.

I think this card looks much prettier in person. I couldn't get the Wisteria Wonder to photograph right. It's such a pretty color too. I used the set Sprinkled Expressions from the SAB catalog. Only a few days left to earn FREE product! The Luck Limeade 1/8" Organdy ribbon is also a SAB item that you can earn until March 30th. The flower was stamped in Wisteria Wonder and the sentiment in Elegant Eggplant. Once the matting was done I popped it up on dimensionals to give it a little depth.

Stamps: Sprinkled Expressions
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Patterns DSP Stack-Regal Collection
Misc: Clear Rhinestone Brads, Lucky Limeade 1/8" Organdy Ribbon, Dimensionals


I like my second attempt a little better...

I really like the neutral palette of black and cream; it's so elegant looking. I stamped the First Edition DSP with the French Filigree background and then inked the edges. This was so quick and easy to put together.

The little crown stamp is from Clearly For You. I added the smallest pearls to give it a little zing. The Chantilly trim tied behind the Antique brad just added that extra little touch.

Stamps: Clearly For You, French Filigree
Ink: Basuc Black
Paper: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP
Misc.: Basic Pearls, Minit Vintage Tags, Chantilly Crochet Trim, Antique Brads, Basic Black 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain, Sponges

Well, I hope you liked my attempts at getting my creative mojo back. Have a great day!

Kym