Wedding Card

I haven't been to a wedding since last fall, and I don't see any on the horizon in the near future. Still, having a go-to layout for a unique wedding card in my repertoire is a necessity, so when I saw the free card template for this creation a few months ago on Lynn Pratt's blog, I filed it away. Yesterday I got around to giving it a trial run. I really like how it utilizes the Bride Specialty Paper and captures the elegance of this once in a lifetime event.

I followed the template for the most part, although I eliminated some panels that were to be added to the dress, and I decided to let the DSP speak for itself. The groom's tux also uses the DSP, and the single brad is silver.

I added my own interior, deploying Dazzling Diamonds judiciously on the swirl from Baroque Motifs. I think the "congratulations" stamp from Well-Scripted is perfect for this card, don't you?

Like I said, there are no weddings for us to attend this summer. What about you? What are your summer plans?

Clear Mount Whimsical Words

Hey! Happy Wednesday! It's feeling like Chicago here today and it's all due to the WIND. The temperature is in the 32, but with the wind chill it feels like 21. At least it's sunny!

Speaking of sunny, this bright and cheery card will be on its way next week to my father-in-law. I CASE'd this from Jill Hilliard and added my own little touches.

The base is Bermuda Bay. I'm growing more fond of this color by the day. Such a rich, unique shade of blue! The striped strip is actual Bridal Specialty Paper on which I used a brayer inked with Summer Sun to change the color to match the scheme. The stamps used are from Circle Circus, a go-to set for me. The mat for the main image is Crushed Curry, a very close cousin of SS. I kept this very free of embellishments, since this is a card for a man.

I love love love that I can see EXACTLY where I'm going to place my sentiment with the clear mount stamps! It was straight and positioned where I wanted it the first time. Fantastic!

Easy Elegance Comes with Persistence

This is a post about how it pays to not be satisfied with a first attempt, even if you're under a deadline. I saw this card on Karen Graff-Povis' blog last month and put it in my starred file of cards that I use to inspire me.

As I considered her card this morning (because I have my first stamper coming for this month's Stamp-A-Stack this evening), I began to pout because I wasn't sure how I could replicate the embossed look on the large background piece of Karen's card. Then it hit me. I said I'd feature a card using Bride Specialty Paper (BSP)! Perfect!

I pulled out the BSP and chose Night of Navy (NN) to achieve the contrast I wanted. I used the same stamp set Karen did--Baroque Motifs--and approximated the measurements of the different layers. When I finished, I decided to use the striped pattern in the BSP as the card base, but when I attached the NN layer, it was mostly hidden. It looked okay, but not quite the display of elegance I was going for. I thought there was too much space between the image, the ribbon, and the sentiment. So I began again.

This time, I made the NN layer smaller, 3.75" x 5", and made the Bride DSP layer 3.5" x 4.75". The focal panel, which I wish was glossy white but I don't have it, is 2" x 3.5". The NN layer behind it is .25" bigger. This creates plenty of exposure for both Specialty Papers.

A little touch of white satin ribbon and the card is complete. I think this would be a great wedding or anniversary card, either of which is always good to have in the stash.

Although There Are No Words

A new acquaintance and customer of mine had a tragic loss in her family this past week. Her daughter-in-law, 31, died suddenly. As I was going on with my life, this woman was walking through shock, pain, and deep grief.

Does it strike you, like it has me, how very odd it is that this happens with great regularity? One mile away from my house, someone's life is forever changed, and I would've had no idea, had she not sent me a short email.

When I received her message, I was too paralyzed to do anything except send a short message back expressing my condolences. This afternoon, that didn't seem like enough. So I made her a card, even though we're not all that well acquainted yet.

The colors of the card are Whisper White, Always Artichoke, and Cameo Coral. I broke into a package of new paper I have called Bride Specialty Paper, which debuted in this fall's Big Idea Book. It was designed specifically for making wedding invitations, but stampers never limit themselves to what things are intended for!

Several places in blogland I saw examples of how this paper had been brayered to change its color, so I tried it. WOW! Adding color reveals this beautiful pattern! I really like how quick and easy it is to create texture and eye-catching detail with this stuff.

The sentiment is non-SU!, but conveyed my heart perfectly. I added a little Whisper White taffeta ribbon to pull the design together.

I hope her heart will be encouraged some, knowing I'm walking beside her through this, even if it's not as closely as some who know her better. Who can you encourage, even from afar, with a simple card and your words today?