An Improvement on a Good Idea

Sometimes you get a second chance. Today's cards are an example of card grace. I made this first card for my mom, whose birthday was yesterday. I wanted to use the ornament punch to create "pots" for flowers. I used the Garden Silhouettes set. The flowers were colored direct to rubber with Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, and Garden Green Stampin' Write markers. Dusty Durango was used to create the terracotta "pots".

Part of the trouble with this first card was that I didn't have the right base color for it (ended up using Soft Suede), and I wasn't entirely pleased with the scalloped edged strips. But time was of the essence, so in the mail it went.

Here's where the second chance comes in. That card was an original, and I wanted to use the layout and premise of a punch being repurposed for my upcoming Stamp-A-Stack featuring paper punches. So, I had to return to the drawing board and remake the card so my students would have a sample to refer to. Turns out, I like the second chance card better than the original.

Here's a closeup so you can get a better look. I cut the tip off the ornament punch so that the "pot" would have a sturdy base. I used a large tag punch and rounded the edges to make the tall vase. I stamped the flowers, starting with the middle bouquet, and then added the "pots". This focal image is smaller than the other as well, and no greeting is incorporated into it.

I also procured some Cameo Coral to use for my base and folded it as a gate fold for added interest. I placed a mat of Garden Green behind the focal image and still wanted a little more eye candy. I had popped up the middle "pot" on dimensionals, so I threaded some non-SU! ribbon underneath and tied a square knot. Proportionately correct--love it!

For the interior, I stamped the flower image with Versamark on the center panel and mounted some Very Vanilla for the greeting. Since I haven't decided if this is going to be a Mother's Day card or a birthday card, it's blank. My students will have their choice of sentiments. (Double click on the photo to more clearly see the details.)

You haven't heard from me much lately because I've had my nose to the grindstone working on a HUGE project that's due next Friday. I'm making invitations for a fundraising dinner, and one element of the design necessitated adhering 5 layers together 600 times. Yes, I know that I created this situation by designing the invite this way, but I guess I'm a glutton for punishment! I'll post more about these next week. Have a great weekend!