Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Three Ferns, Three Cards

Three Ferns_Hero Arts_2_Apr 2010

 

While I am occasionally guilty of impulse buying, my purchase of this Three Ferns stamp from Hero Arts was not such an act. I have wanted this simple, classic stamp since I first laid my eyes on in quite some time ago. It will be one of those stamps that will be used over and over again for years to come and will be particularly good for cards with masculine appeal.

I used a resist technique to create this first card, stamping my image with VersaMark on patterned paper. After embossing it with clear embossing powder, I used a round sponge to apply Olive ink and bring the design to live. On this card, the look is soft and subtle. I like it!

Materials & Tools: Colonial White, Olive, and Bamboo cardstock; Expedition paper packet; Olive and VersaMark ink pads; Clear embossing powder; Hero Arts Three Ferns stamp; Happy Birthday stamp set; Copper mini brads; Embossing heat tool; Round sponge.

 

 

Three Ferns_Hero Arts_3_Apr 2010

This next card is a CAS (clean and simple) design that was going to be a one-layer card before I decided it really needed a border. Instead of mounting my card front to the mat piece and then adhering it to the card base, however, I cut down the card base and mounted it on the green piece. Following me? In other words, the larger green piece is the back of the card. Regardless, it was a 10-minute project that makes for a perfect sympathy card.

Materials & Tools: Colonial White and Garden Green cardstock; Garden Green ink pad; Hero Arts Three Ferns stamp; Impression Obsession Sympathy Sentiments stamp set; Kaiser Kraft pearl accents.

 

 

Three Ferns_Hero Arts_4_Apr 2010The photo of this last card does not do it justice. I’ve discovered metallic stuff gives me the same fits as glitter when it comes to photographing it. It’s either too much or too little. Anyhoo, I stamped the image with VersaMark again, this time embossing it with copper embossing powder. To give the Olive cardstock some texture, I used what I call the “Saran Wrap” technique. If you “stamp” with a wadded up piece of plastic wrap, you can achieve texture that almost looks like suede. Desiring more boldness with the sentiment than I achieved with the top card, I opted to stamp it with New England Ivy. Mission accomplished. And the result is an all-occasion card that would be appropriate for either a man or a woman.

Materials & Tools: Colonial White and Olive cardstock; Expedition paper packet; Copper metallic paper from my stash; Olive, New England Ivy, and VersaMark ink pads; Copper embossing powder; Hero Arts Three Ferns stamp; Say it in Style stamp set; 3/8-inch Natural Twill ribbon; Copper Picture Hanger and mini brads; Plastic wrap; Embossing heat tool.

 

I think I should take a little break from my corner more often. Man, all enthused about trying new/different  things, I’ve had fun the past few days. Instead of scrambling for ideas, I have ideas. 

Not feeling 100 percent, I took a little hiatus from work this afternoon, too, in the form of a half day of vacation. It must have been what I needed, because I perked up when I got home. That said, I’m off to go get a much-needed haircut.

I hope you are having a wonderful day. Enjoy the evening, and a big thanks for stopping by!

9 comments:

Carla said...

Kathi -
these are gorgeous!!
I especially love that metallic copper fern!

Sparkplug17 said...

What lovely cards! Nice to see you can make so many different things with the same stamp.

Sharli Schaitberger said...

You are definitely on a creative roll, Kathi! These three cards are wonderful - I love them all for different reasons! LOL

I'm glad you had the afternoon off - spring fever, maybe!

Hugs!

Laurel said...

These are super! Love that stamp!

Deborah Young said...

Wowzers! Do I have to pick a fave? You know how much I looove copper...but I love them all. The first one is really eye-catching.

dining tables said...

All of them are so beautiful! Your works are always very stunning.

Jeanne said...

Yep, I do believe taking a break did wonders for you! I love these cards! I love the different effects you can get by using one image and a few different supplies. Fantastic, Kathi!

*Ü*

Dawn said...

That copper card really is gorgeous! My favorite for the day. Thanks! Enjoy your weekend!

Alanna said...

These are stunning. I love the look of the last one in particular. Sorry to hear that you weren't feeling great. I'm glad you could take some time off of work.