Good Morning Fellow Stampers -
Well, here it is Monday again. I took the weekend off from blogging. With everything that was going on around here, I just decided I needed to take something off my platter. Mom and I ended up delaying our birthday brunch until next Saturday since the weather was so yucky when we got up on Saturday morning; which ended up being a good thing for me since I still had plenty to do around my house to get ready for the Watercolor Technique class Saturday afternoon -- which was a huge success by the way. I'll share those cards a little bit with you later.
It's Paper Players [PP287] challenge time! This week's challenge is a CAS (clean and simple) challenge. I'm not a big "CAS" girl -- so today's card is about as CAS I get I think. Sometimes I can push myself into a pretty layerless (what I call lifeless), nothing to it card; but not too often!
Here's today's design color-scheme -
With the start of Holy Week, and Easter upon us, it seemed only appropriate to break out some new product I got recently. I don't often showcase non-Stampin' Up! products on my blog itself; once in a while however, I enjoy sharing with you some of the other fun products I dabble in and like to mix into my repetoire ~
I decided to continue my watercoloring fun from class over the weekend, and create a background for my Ornate Cross display ~ I had originally intended on creating more of a "sunburst" effect behind the cross, but frankly it just wasn't turning out the way I wanted. After about four different attempts at trying to get what I wanted, I changed tactics, and went to a wet-on-wet watercolor technique and created a marbled effect with the So Saffron, Perfect Plum, and Blackberry Bliss re-inkers on a Canson Mixed Media paper. The result is really quite beautiful.
The gorgeous overlay is created with several dies I ordered recently from Impression Obsession ~ The Ornate Oval Frame is really quite unique. When you cut with this die it cuts out the ornate oval, several inset oval frames along with it, which include a plainer oval, and and oval with scallops; and then also a full oval circle that can be used in projects as well. And you are left with this cut-out in your card stock as well. So I chose to use several of the pieces from my cutout -- starting with this overlay, which I also punched the corners with our Curvy Corner Trio Punch for some added effect. The piece was set over the watercolored background with dimensionals to give some lift and dimension to the front of the card.
The beautiful cross is cut with one of the dies from IO's Cross Set dies. I used the largest one from that set here; and attached it just over the edges of the oval cutout with a little 2-way glue. I first overlaid the Wisteria Wonder Seam Binding Ribbon before permanently gluing the cross down so I would not have to worry about that after the fact (Tip: I have just a touch of SNAIL underneath the ribbon on both sides of the cross to hold it in place). The Pearls, of course, are the final touch in just the right spots!
The actual Ornate Oval cut out I used on the inside of the card, first gently brushing the edges with some of the Perfect Plum watercolor I had created. I stamped this beautiful sentiment from Suite Sayings first in Perfect Plum, and then laid the oval around it with 2-way glue. The background of Whisper White is again punched at the corners with the Curvy Corner Trio Punch and then laid against a background mat of Perfect Plum. The inside of the card could work as the outside of the card too -- LOL
In many ways, this is actually a very simple and clean card for me. I worked the details, but let the dies carry the day for this card design. I think its impact speaks for itself. It really was a pleasure to meld Stampin' Up! products with beautiful products from other wonderful companies. Exploring and playing is always good inspiration for your creative soul!
I hope you have enjoyed today's design and my "kickoff" to Holy Week. No matter how you may celebrate this special season of the year, may you be blessed. I'd love to hear from you and always enjoy when you share your thoughts ~~ Won't you leave me a comment today?
I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR
If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, you can order your supplies in my online store here. Thanks for looking!
Until Next Time . . .
