Monday, April 27, 2009

Looking Ahead ...

The background for this card was created with July's Stamp of the Month, "You've Got Flair." It's one of those stamp sets that had me initially thinking, "Hmm ..." It's grown on me, however. Now, I'm seeing the possibilities and thinking, "Mmm ..."

For my debut card, I stamped the large paisley image on white cardstock with clear embossing powder and then added some color with inked up round sponges. Sweet Leaf and Crystal Blue were the colors I used. Wanting something long and lean that wouldn't take up too much real estate, I chose a sentiment from the Treasure Life set. As not to overwhelm, I kept the black matting narrow (as in 1/16-inch). The two-layer, punched butterflies are Crystal Blue topped with vellum that I stamped with polka dots to coordinate with the dotted chiffon ribbon. I played around with the ribbon placement due to the fact that there were three butterflies. My decision to place it about one-third of the way from the bottom of the card worked ... I think. Tiny self-stick pearls on the butterfly bodies finished it off.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Crystal Blue, and Black cardstock; Vellum; Crystal Blue, Sweet Leaf, VersaMark, and White Daisy Pigment ink pads; Clear embossing powder; You've Got Flair July Stamp of the Month, Argyle Backgrounds, and Treasure Life stamp sets; May Arts ribbon; Kaiser Kraft pearl accents; Martha Stewart Butterfly punch; Round sponges; Embossing tool.

Happy Monday! I had quite a day. At 4 p.m., I told my supervisor I was going to stay as long as I could stand it. I clocked out around 6:30, working 9 hours and 51 minutes. With work up to my eyeballs, my 32-hour workweek is not working out, and after this week, I will be resuming a regular 40-hour schedule. This week, I may very well work nearly 40 hours in four days. With the revelation late last week that the 32-hour thing wasn't practical, I was kind of bummed. On the other side of the coin, I recognize that I'm lucky to have a job. I'm not oblivious to what's happening around the country. Tomorrow, I'm going to try to start my long day a little earlier in the morning.

Enough talk about work. How was your day? A good one, I hope. Tomorrow, too! For tonight, I'm off to get something to eat and maybe stamp a little so I have something to show you tomorrow. 'Til then, take care and know that I appreciate you!

9 comments:

Alanna said...

This is so pretty and inspiring Kathi. I really was not thrilled with this SOM and wasn't sure what to do with it. You've definitely given me some food for thought. I love the vellum, how you did the background and the butterflies.

Sorry to hear that your shortened work week isn't going to work out. Like you said though, you have a job and hey, now, back to having more money for the important things in life, like stamps and paper. LOL

Sarah said...

I love the idea of using this SS as a background. I have only used it as a focal image so far. I Loved it at first...then though ..yikes...all that coloring...then realised you don't have to color it all.
I will have to try your method as it is stunning.
The butterflies look awesome with the vellum and dot's to tie them in with the ribbon!!
All in all this is another gorgeous card!

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Oh, I love this card! The colors are dreamy and the butterflies are so sweet! dotted to match the ribbon - now that's what I call attention to details.

I'm sorry you have to go back to 5 workdays a week. But, as you said, we are thankful for our jobs. Right now, work is such a blessing that I don't even mind!

Laurel said...

Another beauty!

Anonymous said...

The card is SO pretty!! thank you for sharing and sorry to hear about your work!

Jeanne said...

Oh my gosh, Kathi! HOW do you do it? Another absolutely gorgeous card! I love every single thing about it. Wow!

I'm sorry to hear about the shortened work week not working out for you. But...haven't you ended up not feeling well on the Fridays you've been off? I say...go to work, earn more money (to buy more goodies to wow us with) and stay healthy! LOL

Big hugs! Oh and all that snow we got? Melted and gone by the end of the day. That's the kind of snow (if we have to have it in April) I like!

Michele Kovack said...

What a gorgeous card this is!

Ava said...

Kathi - this is the first card I've seen done with this stamp set in this technique - and it's the first card that I LOVE! Absolutely gorgeous! ... and I NEED that butterfly punch ...
*inky hugs*
Ava

Carolyn said...

This is beautiful! I'll come back later and browse your blog. I missed alot this week.
Thanks so much!!