Everything Eleanor Sympathy Card

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Hey y'all. Happy Humpday! I hope you're having a great day, and week too. :) Just two more days until the weekend. Yea!

I don't know about you, but one of the hardest cards for me to make, even harder than the dreaded "Masculine" card is a sympathy card. There's really such a fine line when designing this type of card. You want something beautiful but not flashy and something sincere but not overdone.. you get the idea. They're just hard for me and I think for many of you as well. Unfortunately, this is not a card I have a ready supply of. I may have to do something about that. Well, Monday morning at work, my co-worker told me she was taking off the last few days of this week because her Best Friend had died last Friday. Awwww! I can't even conceive of that happening to me. Well, of course we know what I felt a need to do, right? Yep! Create a little bit of hand-crafted love for her. Isn't it great that SU has such beautiful sets to  help us with this difficult task? Isn't it awful that somehow those sets keep getting pushed back on my order form in favor of newer sets that I just have to have RightNow! That's right. No sympathy sets at home for me. So I had to figure out a new idea. Well, I went to have dinner with my Stamping BFF, April, isn't it nice that she offered to feed me? We were going to stamp too but got a little caught up in the Olympics. To be honest, I'm surprised I've gotten any stamping done this week! After a relaxing evening with friends I made it home around 9:30 and still needed to come up with a card. Why, Oh Why, is it that I don't already have these things prepared in advance!?!

Here's what I came up with-

Sympathy Card featuring
Everything Eleanor and Petite Pairs

This is a CASE of a card I made in Robin Merriman's Stampin at the Firehouse class. I changed a few small things, but the basic layout and focal image is hers. I thought it was a pretty card and would work well for what I needed. What do you think? I wanted the colors to be elegant but subdued. I think Night of Navy, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla fit that bill nicely, don't you? This was the first time I used my Everything Eleanor stamp set. I got it for Free during SAB. I love how SU takes care of us!!! Anyways, I used Night of Navy as my base and topped it with a piece of Crumb Cake that I ran through my Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper E.F. This layer was sponged with Crumb Cake Classic Ink to make the embossing stand out more and then adhered to the base with Tombow. I stamped my images on a piece of Very Vanilla and mounted it to a piece of Night of Navy c/s. The original card didn't have a sentiment on the front and I tried double mounting the sentiments and stamping them on the inside, sometimes that works out, but it just didn't look right for this. So I started looking for punches to use and came up with the Oval and Scalloped Oval punches. They were just the right size and I think the scalloped edge ties in well with all the rounded edges on the embossed layer. A little C.C. sponging to soften these two layers and I adhered it to my center panel with two Dimensionals. I tried a few different ribbons and settled on the Very vanilla Seam Binding. The Victorian Lace was pretty with this too, you could see the colors through the lace...what a pretty effect, but a little too much with the punched layer. I simply wrapped it around my layer and tied it in a small bow. This completed panel was then adhered with Dimensionals.

Here's a look at the inside-

Inside of Sympathy Card featuring
Everything Eleanor and Petite Pairs.

I simply inked my images up and stamped off once before stamping them on this inside layer.

Ok, I said simply. I lie. O.K. I don't really lie, but it wasn't quite that easy. In fact what should have taken me about 30 minutes to do ended up taking over an hour. I don't know if I was tired or if I was worried about making "the Perfect card" for my friend, but it just wasn't happening. Does that ever happen to you? First off, it took me a few different takes to decide if I was stamping the front full strength or half strength, then to sentiment or not to sentiment, then what to use. During this time I inadvertently inked up my stamps in the wrong color, managed to ink up the edge of my fingers in Night of Navy and that was just on the front. Once I got to the inside I inked up my background image not once but twice in the wrong color! *Headdesk!* Finally it came time to stamp the sentiment. I had it mounted and inked up, had done a practice stamp and made sure I was lined up where I wanted to be, you know all level and everything and what happens? The stamp falls off the block. Augh! Well, luckily it fell on my grid paper. Other than the fact that my heart stopped, no harm no foul. I re-mounted it, re-inked it  went to stamp it and it fell off again and bounced, leaving Night of Navy ink on my inside and not where & how I wanted it. Let's just say AUGH! is not the word/words/phrases I was uttering in a loud voice. Ok, so it was my fault. This is a set I had mounted a while back and I didn't adhere the backing flat. It was a little tight and the stamp curved inward. So I peeled it off a little at a time, and trimmed around the edges so the sticky part would adhere to the block and decided to try again. It's a good thing I don't adhere my inner layers until I'm done stamping! I stamped the sentiment again, and got it right the first time and then making sure my Night of Navy pad was closed, inked up & stamped my background image  and then my floral image. Whew was I glad to be done!!!

Oh snap! I still had to do the envelope. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I mounted and un-mounted those 2 stamps thinking I was done each time. One more time each and finally I really was done, over an hour after I first started.  *SMH* I think the time and effort were worth it though, especially after seeing the look on my friends face. Don't you just love it when they ask, somewhat incredulously, "Did you make this?" She loved it and couldn't believe I had not only made it but made it for her.

Here's the card and envelope together-

Sympathy Card and Envelope featuring
Everything Eleanor and Petite Pairs

That's all I have for you today. I hope you liked today's card and I hope it inspires you to make some sympathy cards to have on hand so you don't have to scramble at the last moment like I did. :) 

For those of you, like me, that are measurement challenged I have today's measurements for you. I've been trying to remember to put these on my posts, in fact I've been putting them in my B.B. for that reason, but often forget to post them. If I forget and you 'd like the measurements, leave me a comment and I'll get them for you.

Night of Navy Base- 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 scored and folded at 4 1/4

Crumb Cake layer- 5 1/4 x 4

Night of Navy panel- 4 1/4 x 3 1/4

Very Vanilla- 4 x 3

I love hearing from you so if you liked today's card or have questions about it, and have a moment to leave me a comment, you'd make my day. I read all of my comments. If you'd like to +1 or Pin today's card, I've put the buttons on my post for your convenience. Friends and Followers are always welcome too! :)

Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy day to stop by my little corner of the world. You are appreciated! I hope to see you back soon. I'll have this week's End of the Week Technique for you tomorrow. Till next time-

Remember- Life is often more about the storms than the peace they seek to overwhelm. It's not about Waiting for the storms to pass, but Learning to Dance in the rain.

Be Safe,

Shan

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2 Challenges in 1 and A Sneak Preview

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Hey y'all. Happy Humpday! I hope you're having a fabulous day and an amazing week. I've go two cards to post before they close, one at midnight and one first thing in the morning so I'm actually going to do 2 posts today. This is #1.

So, Nacho Average Challenge is a new challenge site and I entered their 1st challenge, a sketch challenge, last week. Their plan is to alternate between sketch and color challenges. I think I've only done one color challenge on here in the last year, because as a general rule, I'm really just not that creative. There's just too many possibilities...all the potential combinations....AUGH!!! Which is why it's so funny that I have 3 cards and 2 color challenges to show you today.

You know by now, that I show the good with the bad here and I'm pretty honest with y'all about my shortcomings and faults. Color challenges and me....well, I'm pretty inept at them, really just too many possibilities, so I just don't do them. Yeah, yeah, Scaredy Cat and all that. I'm working on it.... Well, I saw the challenge colors yesterday and decided I would just have to give it a try. What's the worst that could happen? I'd have a sucky card to show you, so you know my cards don't always turn out. (As if you didn't already know that! LOL) On the walk to the slug-line, I started thinking of the stamp sets I had at home, and which ones could I possibly use with this color combination. Believe it or not I had two different stamp sets and two different card ideas come to mind. *Score!*

Here's the first one-

Happy Birthday Card featuring
Apothecary Art

Here's the Color Challenge (if I put the images of the sketches/color chart first then that's the image that shows up in my rolling top-ten list)

Wow! I wasn't sure about these colors outside of a fall/autumn type card and there was already one of those in the DT cards. Normally I wouldn't look at the DT samples first, but I was afraid I might need some inspiration. Good thing too, or I might have used my Gently Falling set and looked like a copy-cat!

I'd been wanting to use this image from the Apothecary Art set as it hadn't yet seen any ink. How sad is that? So I inked it up with Black Staz-On and stamped it onto a piece of Whisper White c/s. I ran this through my Big Shot with the corresponding Labels Framelet. I used my Blender Pens and Classic Ink Pads in the challenge colors to color in the image. It's a little hard to see at first glance but the inside portion of the flowers are in More Mustard. Do you know, I think this is the first time, I've used my M.M. products. I had to open the paper and the pad I know had never been used. I don't even think I've used the marker. Hard to believe how light the Riding Hood Red can appear. I love how using the blender pen you can make the colors almost a "wash" and then go back and layer in more to add depth and intensity. I wanted to add a little ribbon and as Riding Hood Red was all I had (from Christmas Cards last year) guess what I chose. I opted to put it across the center of the focal point instead of a sentiment.

Here's a close-up-

I decided to use Lucky Limeade as a mat. My original idea was to make two and cut them down so I'd a have just a small mat, you know like we do with labels but, silly me, I cut out two of the next larger size instead of the same size. I decided to just go with it and for a little added something-something I ran it through my Big-Shot with the Perfect Polka-Dots E.F. Now why I didn't think to just put the smaller framelets on the larger ones and cut them out is beyond me. Who know!?! As a stand-alone mat I was happy with how it looked so I decided to go with it. If I had it to do over again I would try it with the smaller mat. In fact I may still try that at home. That just left the More Mustard. What to do, what to do? Think, Think, Think, (you know what to do here (:  ) I decided to keep it simple with just the card base and no additional layers so I ran it through my Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper E.F. I then sponged it with M.M classic ink to bring out the detail.

For the inside, I used the sentiment that came in this case and the other floral image as well.

I stamped the sentiment in Soft Suede as I thought Basic Black might be a little strong. The floral image is actually from the journaling stamp that comes with this set. I masked off everything except the floral image and then inked it up with Black Staz-On.

Sorry, about the lighting. Not sure why the flash didn't go off. I used the same colors and blender pens to color in both stamped images and then let Tink have just a little bit of fun.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. With the exception of trying a smaller mat, I think it's o.k.  Now the challenge doesn't end until midnight Saturday so why am in such a rush to post today? Well, as I was mounting the focal image on my card front it struck me that it would fit in the Stamping 411 challenge too. Yes, I know I've already entered that one, but it never hurts to enter twice. : D In case you missed that sketch yesterday, here it is again-

Remember when I said I had two sets come to mind yesterday as I was brainstorming on the way to the slug-line? Well, I made a second card last night for this color challenge. It's actually my favorite of the two, but I'll do the complete post either later this week, maybe Friday or on Monday.

Here's a preview-

So excited about how this one turned out!!!!

Don't forget to stop by Stamping 411 and Nacho Average Challenge. There's still time for you to play along.

Well, that's all I have for you today. I hope you liked my stab at this challenge, and if not I hope you can at least appreciate the challenge it was for me and commiserate with me. :) I hope it inspires you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.

Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy day and stopping by today. You are so appreciated!!! If you liked today's card and have a moment to drop me a line, I'd love to hear from you. Your comments make my day! I read all of them and try to respond to them as well. If you liked today's card, or any here, and would like to +1 or Pin it, I've put the buttons here on my blog for your convenience. Friends and followers are always welcome too.

Till next time-

Remember- Life is often more about the storms than the peace they seek to overwhelm. It's not about Waiting for the storms to pass, but Learning to Dance in the rain.

Be Safe,
Shan

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Bordering on Romance Pocket Card

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Hey y'all. Happy Friday! I hope you've had a great week and are getting ready for an Amazing weekend.  For those of you that follow me and sent up prayers and/or positive thoughts for my interview this morning, I feel good about how it went. I was in the top 5 candidates chosen to interview, so we'll see. Even if I don't get picked this round they will have more openings soon so... Will let you know as soon as I know. :)

I had a lot of running around to do last night and didn't get to stamp :( so I was trying to figure out what I could post today. I looked at my photos on my phone and found one that I hadn't posted yet. I actually did today's card for a team swap months ago when the Occasions Mini first came out. I think it was the first pocket card I had ever created. I have been meaning to do this as one of me "De-Constructed Card" posts where I show how it evolved but I realized this morning that I didn't have the other "failure pics" loaded on my phone. (Every once in a while I like to show how my cards came to be. You know, the ones that took two or three or more tries to get right. I hope it makes all the other Scaredy Cats out there realize they're not the only ones who struggle.) Guess I was trying to spare my self the agony. Lol! Will get those loaded and do that post another day.

Here's today's card-

Bordering on Romance Pocket Card

I don't know about you, but I'm so glad this stamp set and the DSP were carried over to the new catalog! I think the theme for the team swap that I made this card for was "Fun Folds or Something other than a standard card". I decided to try a pocket card and I knew I wanted to use this set and DSP, so it seemed like an easy idea. WRONG!!!! But in the end I was happy with how it turned out.

I started with a base of Island Indigo, even with our New In-Colors this is my all time favorite color. I don't remember whose blog I saw the angled cut on , but I thought it would make a great addition to my card. I used my edgelet to create the decorative edging and it not only cut the beautiful edge but left me an embossed look as well. *Bonus!* I used Sticky Strip to close the side and bottom. 

Here's a closer look at the pocket portion of my card-

I ran My Twitterpated DSP through my BigShot with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder and then sponged some CrumbCake lightly over the top to make the embossing stand out a little more. My pleated ribbon was  tucked underneath my DSP with SNAIL and then the entire piece was Tombowed. I really wish this pleated ribbon had made it to the new catalog. Do you have any idea how much distress pleating my own ribbon causes me? Sends my OCD into overdrive! 

Here's the pull-out piece of my card-

For my pull-out card, I stamped my image with Black Staz-On and used my blender pens and Classic Ink pads to water-color. I look at this now and compare it to my recent "Copic-Style" watercoloring on our watercolor paper and am truly amazed at the difference. I don't think the shading was too bad considering it was my first real attempt at this type watercoloring and it was on regular cardstock instead of the watercolor paper. Looking back I think maybe I should have added a few pearls to the center of the flowers for an added touch. Oh well, hindsight and all that. Guess I'll have to add them when I get home. :) Actually, looking back now I think I may have added some Dazzling Diamonds to the flowers, for my swaps, to give them a little extra pop. I used my Crop-a-Dile to punch a hole at the top of my card and used Island Indigo Bakers Twine to loop through for the pull.

What do you think? I love pocket cards but so often forget about them, as well as other card types, when I sit down to create. Do you do that too?

I hope you liked today's card and that it inspires you to try something new. If you liked it, I hope you'll consider leaving a comment. I love hearing from you! Also, if you liked it and would like to +1 or Pin it, I've put the buttons on my sidebar for your convenience. Friends and Followers are always welcome too! :)

I hope you have an Amazing weekend filled with Family, Friends and of course plenty of time for creativity. I hope you'll stop back by and see me soon.

Till next time-

Remember- Life is often more about the storms than the peace they seek to overwhelm. It's not about Waiting for the storms to pass, but Learning to Dance in the rain.


Be Safe,
Shan

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Dual Sneak Peak - Framelets & Every Day Elegance

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Hey y'all. Hard to believe Wednesday's here already. Before you know it the week will be done and so will the year. Am I the only one that finds this hard to believe?

Well, with a new year comes a new Mini catalog and today's card showcases items from that as well as from our exciting Sale-A-Bration that starts January 24th. Normally I'm not a "Vintagey" person but I'm really loving the new Everyday Elegance DSP from SAB. Such a beautiful collection. Can't wait for you to see it and to get it for FREE! Yep, I said for FREE! For today's card though I went went with the "vintagey" feel for the whole card and kind of surprised myself. Here it is-

I started with a base of Peach Parfait. I like this color but often have trouble finding color combinations to use it with and luckily the Everyday Elegance DSP works beautifully with it! I also stood my card up tent style (not sure if that's what it's really called) and I almost never do that. In fact I don't think I have any cards here shown in that style. I ran the card front through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder. I thought it kind of picked up on the design in the DSP. I sponged over it lightly with CrumbCake Classic Ink to make the images stand out a little more. The DSP is already antiqued around the edges so I had to sponge the other 2 edges (the cut edges) to make them appear equal and I used more CrumbCake for this.  I decided to use some  lace to cover the edge between the DSP and card base and actually antiqued it a little as well. Boy was my CrumbCake getting a workout on this card! I used SNAIL to adhere the lace to my DSP and then Tombow to adhere that to my card base. I also used my Corner Rounder Punch to round the bottom corners also something I don't normally do.

For the focal point I used the Fresh Vintage (an OxyMoron I think) stamp set from our upcoming Sale-A-Bration. I used my Blender Pens and In Color Ink Pads to color right on the the stamp in Peach Parfait and Pool Party and used my Old Olive Stampin Write Marker and then stamped on Very Vanilla c/s. I then used my new Heart Framelet to center and frame the image and cut it out and then while the frame was still in place I sponged with, what else, CrumbCake and then removed the framelet. If you look closely you can see a faint cream edge. I then took the next size up and used it to cut out another heart and then embossed that one with the same Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder I used earlier on the cardbase. This time however I flipped it over and showed the debossed side. I sponged it as well to enhance the embossing. I adhered the two together with Tombow and then used dimensionals to pop them up off the DSP layer.

WOW! A lot of antiquing for me! Can you believe it? LOL...

Here's a look at the inside-

The sentiment is from Sprinkled Expressions and it's stamped in Peach Parfait. The design in the bottom is once again colored in with my Blender pens and Classic ink pads. I stamped off once to decrease the intensity of the color and then sponged around the edge of the Very Vanilla c/s. A quick rounding of the edges before adhering it to the card base and all done. I kept the inside simple since the outside had so much going on, but I think it still keeps with my theory that the inside should still be pretty. What do you think?

Well, that's all I have for you today. I hope you like it and I hope you're getting excited about the new products that are coming next month! I know I am. If you liked it, I would love it if you left me a comment. It's great when I get to hear from you! Also, if you liked today's card, please feel free to +1 or Pin it. I've added the buttons to my side-bar for your convenience. Friends and Followers are also welcome. :)

I hope you have an Amazing day and you come back soon!

Till next time-

Be Safe,
Shan Pin It