Sweet Valentine

Welcome.  On this Friday, Patrice, over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, has a wonderful sketch for you to try this week.   This sketch has alot of potential!

Here is this week's sketch:

This sketch looks pretty straight forward.  But, what if you replaced the squares with. . . .?  

Sometimes, you need to think out side of the perverbial box.  You could replace the squares with tags, hearts, circles, butterflies, etc.

here is what I created:

I replaced the right lower square with an oval.  I also replaced the right upper square with a rectangle.  I added a few hearts, a button, a blossom, and a few tiny tags!

The card base is basic grey card stock.  I ran the main panel of very vanilla card stock throught my swiss dot embossing folder.  I wrapped a piece of basic grey taffeta ribbon around the top of the main panel and tied it in a bow.

To start, I created the largest piece.  I used pink pirouette card stock and an oval embossing folder.  I tore around the edges.  I used basic black card stock and white craft ink to added the faux chalk board technique.  I used a clear heart-shape button, a tiny piece of real red card stock, and white baker's twine to add a whimsical embellishment.  

The two square pieces that I kept, are the postage stamps.  Those I stamped twice, and layered.  I wanted to add a sweet embellishment to the 'Paris' stamp, so I created my own blossom from card stock.  I sponged some pretty in pink classic ink.   I added an embossed grey heart, to help 'connect' the hearts.

The top right square, I replaced with a rectangle.  I have a weakness for ticket stubs.  Just so nostalgic.  I wanted to add something, but I didn't want to distract from the ticket.  So, I embossed a pink heart, and added two tiny tags, stamped with 'Love' and {love}.

The sentiment, was actually the easiest piece to create.  I took a scrap piece of very vanilla card stock, and cut it 1/2" wide.  I used my stamp-a-ma-jig, to position the sentiment.  I used a square punch to create the banner ends.  I used some dimensionals to lift the sentiment banner off the front of the card.

So, give Patrice's sketch a try, over @ SFF.   Let's see what you create!

Happy Spring-time To You!

Good Morning All! And let me extend a warm welcome to my latest follower, Isbel. It is a pleasure to have someone new, and a delight to know that someone out there likes my work enough to 'follow' me. You have surely made my day! Thank you.

So, here is my latest card. Yes, its an Easel Card. The traditional take on this. No fancy-shamancy folds, twists, or turns. Just regular. I am entering this card in two different challenges. Our Creative Corner, is hosting a card type challenge. Make an Easel Card. No limits. How wonderful, and easy to work with. Color Q (cQc #81) color challenge is to use these wonderfully soft colors: Pink Pirouette, So Saffron, Old Olive, Soft Sky, and white. Now don't those colors say 'Easter or springtime' to you? They do to me. In theory, this card should have been a walk in the park. However, my park is still covered with some snow, if you know what I mean. I made about three different cards with different colors of card bases. I used different stamps for my image. I even tried using a wedding cake image. I struggled. Then, I found this left over image from Crafty Secrets I had laying on my crafting table. And Viola! It all started to flow.

The card base is Soft Sky. My stash of this retired cardstock is getting pretty low. So, there is no room for error. The first matted piece is actually Presto DSP. I just sponged Soft Sky classic ink onto it. I love that paper. I used the regular scallop trim border punch and punched some old DSP and stacked them together. I used some other really old retired DSP to make the heart. I used the Beautiful Wings embosslit to create my butterfly. I made my leaves with the leaves embosslit and cut them apart to have leaves poking out behind the heart in all directions. I used my Lots of Tags die to create my label for the inside and stamped one of the saying from the Blessed Mother stamp set in Old Olive classic ink. The final touches were simple: distress the edges with White craft ink and add a few rhinestone jewels to give the card some bling.

The thing that strikes me about my card, is that there is no ribbon or buttons. Believe me, I tried. But, I couldn't get those elements on, and still love the card.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend. Share this time with your family and friends. If you have a moment, share with me your favorite Easter activity. Mine, doing an Easter egg hunt with my grandchildren. I can still see my kids in their faces. God bless.