Up, Up, and Away!

Another Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has come and went…and what a beautiful sight it was – as always. The week started at a friend’s home with a front-row seat to the Mass Assencion (without the lines and crowds of the event itself). One couldn’t ask for a better way to see such a great sight: spending it with great people, enjoying fantastic conversation, and enjoying an amazing breakfast. Beautifu!

During the Fiesta, I was able to capture a photo right as the sun was poking up over the Sandia Mountains and I was inspired. Though I had already made a card for my Card Club’s challenge, an idea came to me:

I love this card. The card is just a white piece of paper with a hole cut from the front panel and then sponged with a plethora of different colors and then popped with hot air balloons…simple and lovely. I added a bit of thread as a throw-back to the ropes and strings used in ballooning.

At the end of the week I found myself at the office on an early Saturday morning. Usually I would not be happy to be there (and if I had a choice, I wouldn’t have been there that morning either), but being there gave me the opportunity to see the balloons again since my office is just a couple blocks from the Fiesta field.

All in all, it was a great Fiesta!

Recipe: Whisper White, Basic Black, and Poppy Parade cardstock; So Saffron, More Mustard, Peach Parfait, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, and Not Quite Navy ink; linen thread; sponges.

An Initial Attempt

First of all, I need to apologize for the image...I can't get it rotated upright.

For Card Club this month we were challenged to create a card using a template created by the operators over at Stampin 411. Since I knew how busy the forthcoming weeks were going to be, I jumped right on it. The template called for a square card with a large circle and some type of division across the center. I don’t know why, but knocking one inch of the long end of a card makes the plane so much more difficult to plan. I decided to make the circle front and center by finding the perfect section of patterned paper and rim it with some ruffled ribbon (I’ve only tried it a few times – maybe after a few times more I may be able to make it presentable); duplicating the ribbon and adding a coordinating bow followed naturally. So, now I had a frilly circle, a ribbon, and a bow on a blank piece of cardstock; well, that just wouldn’t do. One of the things I love about Stampin’ Up!’s Designer Series Paper is that each “series” comes in a pack; I pulled out the package again and saw so many various coordinating patterns which would have been excellent choices. However, my final decision wasn’t in the pack, it was in my scrap pile. I used more of the green and the reverse razzleberry pattern as well.

I thought it turned out well and I was going to use it. Unfortunately, after a few days, though I still liked it, I was inspired to create something different.

Stay tuned….

Recipe: Pocket Full of Posies DSP; Rich Razzelberry and Night of Navy cardstock; Rich Razzelberry polka-dot and 1/8” taffeta ribbon; 2¾” circle punch; dimentionals.

Amazing, Awesome, Talented…You

This card is one of a kind, just as the woman for whom it was created.

This plan for this card was very simple: lots of flowers and lots of green. Utilizing a monochromatic green as the background of this card (matted with white and green to offset) left the wind open for a plethora of flower choices. Honestly, at this point I didn’t know what to do next – in what direction to proceed.

All I knew what I wanted flowers. I sorted through my paper and decided on five different possibilities for flowers. Still unaware of what flowers, what specific colors, or what design I wanted to use, I just started punching – punching flowers of different shapes, sizes, and colors. I shaped the pieces of paper flowers to give them dimension and added pearls to each center (thinking that those which I didn’t use for this project could be used on another). What do flowers need? Leaves. I used other punches to add leaves to each blossom; as I attached each leaf, I put the completed blossoms into a small pile off to the side (which just so happened to be on top of the green paper). When I finished the last one and tossed it into the pile, I looked over and saw the pile of flowers down the side of the green…I liked it. With a little manipulation and a fitting sentiment the card was complete.

I love it - fitting since I also love the woman for whom it was created.
Happy Retirement!



Recipe: Perfect Words stamp set; Old Olive, Whisper White, Pear Pizazz, Concord Crush, Sahara Sand, Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade, and Pool Party cardstock; Old Olive Designer Series Paper; Old Olive ink; Three Flower, Itty Bitty, Perfect Petal, and 1¼” Square punches; Basic Jewels: Pearls; mini glue dots.

Time Well Spent

Once in a while I am able to combine all (if not all, then definitely most) of my favorite techniques into one project; this is just that instance.

Pattern Paper: three different patterned paper are combined in this card: I like how the square pattern offsets the roundness of the flowers; the stripe pattern could mimic a picket fence; the flower pattern could be the sky with birds.

Punches: so many were used in creating this card – all of which work together cohesively.

Sponging: adding a sponged edge to all the pieces unifies and softens the edges.

Accents: the layered buttons accent the flowers nicely and the touch of linen thread finishes them off. Additionally, utilizing dimension creates interest and depth.

There isn’t much else to say besides: I love this card!


Recipe: Time Well Spend stamp set; Cherry Cobbler, Mellow Moss, and So Saffron cardstock; Washington Apple DSP; Circle Scallop, oval Scallop, Small Oval, 1 3/8” Circle, Scallop Border, and Build a Blossom punches; Subtles, Brights, and Regals Designer Buttons; linen thread, dimensionals, mini glue dots, sponges.

Transformation

Of all crafting tools, my favorite would have to be punches. They are easy to use, add dimension, and create the perfect accent to a project. More than ever, what I love to do most with punches is to transform them into something different. Whether it is using ovals and circles to create an owl card or recreating the Twelve Days of Christmas, punches can be used to create so many different things.

In this card, a scallop-edged square was transformed into a funky three-petal flower. Accented by other punches, shapes, accents and color, the flowers add just the right touch and pop of fun to this card.


Recipe: Well Scripted stamp set; Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, and Crumb Cake cardstock; Baja Breeze and Wild Wasabi ink; Scallop Square, Wide Oval, Boho Blossoms, and Modern Label punches; Basic Jewels: Pearls; sponge dauber; sponges; paper piercer; dimensionals, hobby blade.