Finding Inspiration

Since I started cardmaking in earnest, I began to see color combinations everywhere. One that particularly inspired me was this ad from a Bed Bath and Beyond flyer. I loved not only the color combination, but the circles and stripes theme as well. So, I set about to create a card that would follow these themes.


What do you think? I was very pleased with it! The color combo is SU!'s Old Olive and Chocolate Chip, with Very Vanilla. The dots and circles were created with the Level 1 Hostess set called Riveting, and some that I punched with my circle punches and popped up on dimensionals. The focal image is also from a retired set (it might be a little hard to tell, but it's a birthday cake with a candle), stamped with Versamark and then heat embossed with Copper Embossing Powder. Love how that created shimmer! There were stripes on the inside along the left flap, and a sentiment from It's Your Birthday (SU! retired).

I challenge you to look around you, because cool color combos are everywhere! I'd love to see any cards you come up with that follow this exercise. Give me a link in the comments! Thanks for stopping by.

Variations with Pick A Petal

I did a little bit more playing with the new Pick A Petal set yesterday, and I have to admit I'm being won over! This set is fun to use, and the variety of images that can be created is only limited to your imagination (or your ability to copy!) In this card, I used all the new In Colors. The petals are Purely Pomegranate, the stem is Wild Wasabi, the sentiment is stamped in Blue Bayou and matted on Groovy Guava, it's all placed on a background of Soft Sky, which is matted onto River Rock! Notice the new firestone brad--these are easy to use and add a nice little bit of bling!

The second card came about as a result of my wondering if I could make a shamrock using those petals. I've seen others use background paper as their base, and so I thought I'd try it to add interest. This paper is from the Petals and Paisleys designer paper pack that was in the spring mini and made it into the fall catalog! The sentiment "lucky you" came from the "Party" block in the Block Party set. It's an entire stamp of different birthday wishes. I masked off what I wanted, colored it in Old Olive with my marker, and stamped it!

The interesting fold started out as a mistake. I was trying to create a different fold and scored the paper at the wrong place. Not wanting to waste an entire half sheet, I improvised, remembering a card I'd seen on another blog. The result may be a bit hard to tell, but the shamrock is the main image, bordered by more of the DP on the flap that tucks behind it, and the "best wishes" message (from Sincere Salutations) is in the middle. This one's going to show up at a workshop or stamp-a-stack in the future!

So, I'm happy I experimented. Hope this gives you a better sense of what this set can be used for. If you need more ideas, visit Splitcoaststampers to see the petals used to create a ladybug, a turkey, and a poinsettia!

Climbing the walls

We have less than a month left until school begins again. I can hardly believe that we're here already! The summer has been so good, with several highlights for our son, Michael, who is almost 13:

whitewater rafting trip with Dad
spending time with friends
time at the lake in WI with family
improving his tennis skills at a day camp

But now, as you can see, he's climbing the walls. While there's a smile on his face because he's figured out this neat little trick, he really is at a loss to know what to do each day. I've said for a long time that I did not take on the title of "entertainment director" when I became a mom, and I've communicated repeatedly that I'm not responsible for his fun. But I remember what it was like to be his age. You can't go anywhere by yourself, and you're too old to enjoy the things that used to amuse you. You're also too young to have a job (although he has made good money mowing 2 lawns this summer), and the structure that provides for your day. Being a teenager can be boring sometimes...

Anybody have any suggestions? He's read at least 10 books and is taking piano lessons, which means he has to practice 30 min. a day. Computer time is earned by practicing, but we have regular conversations about whether or not he can earn any more time each day. I love computers, but I hate computer games! They are like quicksand--easy to get into, difficult to get out of in a timely manner. We've been to the subdivision pool. If you can relate to any of this and can offer some sort of advice, I welcome it!

I've been tagged...

I'm not sure how this started, but Dawn over at Amusing Musings and Things nominated me for this "title" and I'm tickled! I'm supposed to "tag" 5 other blogs that I think are great, but most have already been nominated. Here are my favs anyway:

1. Amy Westerman, a wonderful gal from Minnesota, always challenges me to think outside my comfort zone. Her cards and thoughts on life are at Heartfelt Greetings.

2. Michelle Wooderson, another Midwest gal hailing from Kansas, has great tips for creating cards en masse, and for unique layouts. See hers at Mish Mash.

3. Lydia is a fellow blogger whose website I discovered just a few weeks ago. Love her ideas, her whit, and her honesty! Be prepared: she loves BLUE! Only the Fireborn Understand. Doesn't she have an interesting blog name?

4. Fellow Georgian Amy creates beauties that inspire me too! Her blog is called Gone Inkognito. Another creative name!

5. Nichole Heady is an amazing artist and the founder of a new stamp company, Papertrey Ink. Great, great, great layouts and stamps! If only I had enough money to support my habit...Check her out at Capture the Moment.

I've been meaning to add some links to this blog for other artists' sites you can visit to get more inspiration, so this post will do double duty for awhile! I'll try to post a card later today...

Pick A Petal

This afternoon it was raining--AGAIN!!--and I was playing in my paper garden and discovered this flower! I came up with the design for this card all on my own, which explains why it took the better part of an afternoon. I'm extremely pleased with the results though. I always think I'm not going to like working with Bold Brights, and then whatever I make always makes me happy. A nod should go to Beate Johns, card crafter extraordinaire, for the initial design "seed". The layout is what she calls a "joy fold".

Here's what it looks like when you open it:



I made 3 of these because I have a contract with a friend who gives sets of cards and other items that I make to her employees when they come to a meeting off-site. Did you know I do custom design work--gifts, invitations, etc.? I wish I could be there to see the looks on their faces when they find this card among the other goodies!

Well, here's hoping for a dry weekend. Get out and find some flowers to enjoy--humidity and all!

Mini Pocket Gift Card

Yesterday I was waiting for my son to finish his time on the computer so that we could go to the pool, so I spent my time visiting the different blogs I have bookmarked. Over at Charmaine Allen's Oodabug Alley I saw a link to Dawn Mercedes' blog for a trifold pocket card. This got me to thinking, so I went to my craft room and got out a piece of 6x6 Palette of Prints paper and the result is this sweet little gift card and accompanying tutorial! Enjoy!


These are the supplies you'll need for this project: Rose Red Palette of Prints 6x6 paper, All About U SU! stamp set, scissors and mono adhesive. (Since I'm new to creating tutorials, I should also mention that you will need 1-2 1/2" square piece of Whisper White paper and one strip of 2" paper big enough for the "U" to fit on. You'll also need Purely Pomegranate and Soft Sky ink.)


Fold the paper in quarters and cut out the lower left quadrant, saving it for another project.


Fold the lower right and upper left quadrants on the diagonal, creating 2 triangles.


Apply a small amount of adhesive in the corners of the flaps and adhere them in place. Take the lower right triangle flap and fold it up to cover the square above it. Using a very small amount of adhesive along the far right edge (not along the angle!), secure the triangle in place. (If you use too much along the edge, you won't have a big enough pocket for the little note enclosure.) This creates your pocket!




Stamp the 2 1/2" square with the little flowers that are in the All About U set. They match the paper so nicely! Insert into the pocket.


Stamp the "U" from the set with Soft Sky ink. Then choose what sentiment you'd like to express; I chose "Thank" which I stamped in Purely Pomegranate. All the words that are included in the set--bless, miss, love, celebrate, happy for, good for, are the best, and just be--are designed to fit inside the "U"! Lots of options here...


Apply 2 Stampin' Dimensionals to the "U" and place it in the center of the 2 flaps. Be sure that just a bit of the right dimensional overlaps the 2 flaps. This will hold it closed.


Here's the completed card! This has so many uses and the fact that it's self closing means it doesn't need an envelope. If you try this, I'd love to see what you come up with. Send me a link!!

With or Without U?

 
I made this card this afternoon as I was trying to come up with a sample for my display board using the new Pick A Petal set. I'm happy with everything except the final detail.

Should the card have the "U" on it or not? I'd really appreciate your feedback. And don't say that either one is fine--I want an opinion! Have a good evening...