Card Evolution

This card is a perfect example of how I usually stamp. Unless I've been consciously inspired by something I've seen somewhere, many of my card designs simply evolve. For this card, I began by random stamping my flower image on Baby Pink cardstock with Chocolate ink. I colored my images with markers and a white gel pen. I knew that I wanted to add the sentiment and found it a perfect fit for the small oval Nestabilities dies. Together, however, the sentiment and background piece I'd put together looked pretty bleak . . . ugly, actually. Thinking that it was going to be a candidate for the wastebasket, I gave it one more chance and random stamped the flower image over the top of my design with same-color ink. Things were looking up. I rounded the corners of the pink piece to soften it and tie it to the oval. Finally, I distressed my sentiment and the edges of the background piece with Chocolate ink and a sponge dauber. Although my initial random stamping could have been a little more uniform, playing around and letting my card evolve saved it from the dumpster.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Baby Pink, and Chocolate cardstock; Chocolate ink pad; Baby Pink, Blush, and Garden Green markers; White gel pen; Simple Beauty stamp set; Corner rounder; Cuttlebug w/small oval and small scallop oval Nestibilities dies.

I hope you noted that I used the term "consciously inspired" in the second sentence of this post. I don't know that there are many cards I make for which I would take sole credit. Between bulletin boards and blogs, I see so much, and I believe the majority of my ideas start somewhere else,whether they're stored in my conscious or subconscious memory. This card was no exception. As it evolved, it took on some elements that were again inspired by Lisa's awesome cards.

Thank you, Lisa!

I think I mentioned before that the March Stamp of the Month set, Simple Beauty, is one that challenges me. Some stamp sets are like that, and when that the case, it's great to have other CTMH to inspire you. These cards were inspired by Lisa from Lisa's Creative Corner. I'm not linking directly to her cards, because if you haven't already, you need to take a look at everything this girl has done this week. Everything Lisa does inspires me. You'll also note that my cards do not bear that much resemblance to her beautiful cards. I was working from memory, which tells you (and me) something. Anyway, I am ever so thankful for the inspiration and relatively happy with the cards I turned out because of it.

Material & Tools (top card): White Daisy, Baby Pink, and Chocolate cardstock; Baby Pink and Chocolate ink pads; Baby Pink and Brown Bag markers; Simple Beauty stamp set; Edge Distresser tool; Brown mini brads; Crystal Stickles; Sponge dauber.

For my second card, I used various cardstock colors for my paper-piecing. I've been fighting with my markers recently and didn't want to risk frustration, using them for anything more than
coloring in small areas and highlighting same-color cardstock. I also did a little highlighting with a white gel pen. I love the 3-D look the foam mounting tape creates. It even impressed my husband, who described this card as "cool" instead of the usual "nice."

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Crystal Blue, Heavenly Blue, Amethyst, Baby Pink, Blush, and Sunkiss Yellow cardstock; Chocolate stamp pad; Amethyst, Crystal Blue, Baby Pink, and Garden Green markers; Simple Beauty stamp set; White gel pen; Edge Distresser tool; 3M foam mounting tape; Brown mini brad; Sponge dauber.

OK, so now I know I can stamp a couple of inspired cards without throwing away multiple pieces of paper or doing something like spilling my coffee on them once they're finished. With my confidence somewhat restored, I'm going to spend some time in Kathi's Corner today and see what else I can come up with today. Later!

Simple Beauty

This card was inspired by Lisa who said she was inspired by someone else. Isn't that the way it goes in the stamping world? The floral motif is from the March Stamp of the Month set, Simple Beauty.

I'll have to admit that when I saw this set, I didn't think it looked like me. While others were raving about it, I was wondering what the heck I was going to do with it. Now that I've made one card, however, I'm a little more confident that there will be more to come. It's made easier by inspiration like this card on Lisa's Creative Corner. Isn't that something? For my card, I paper-pieced the large elements of the design and used markers to fill in the details.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Hollyhock, and Garden Green cardstock; Chocolate and Garden Green ink pads; Hollyhock and Garden Green markers; Simple Beauty and Impression Obsession Anytime Sentiments stamp sets; Cuttlebug w/Distress Stripes embossing folder; Crystal Stickles; Garden Green mini brads.

I don't know how much stamping I'll accomplish today. I have a hair appointment this morning (postponed from earlier in the week) and a couple of grandsons who deserve attention from a Grandma who hasn't seen a whole lot of them lately. I guess we're all going to a hockey game tonight, too. As hockey is not my sport of choice, I will frequent the concession stand with the little guys, so that their daddy and grandpa can keep their eyes on the puck.