Sunday, March 27, 2011

A Garden Trio

Hello everyone.  I am relieved to have found some time to create a few cards.  My family is under a great strain right now, with one of my children being desperately ill.  Although I find card-making therapeutic, it seems that I am short on both time and the ability to focus right now. 

Let me share these creations with you, all of which were created for Splitcoaststampers' challenges.  What I like about their challenges is that they are timeless.  There are no deadlines, no pressure.  This is what I need at the moment.

This sunflower was created using a Mark's Finest Papers poinsettia, from the set Seasonal Poinsettias.  I feel rather proud of myself for cleverly turning a winter flower into a summer one with merely a change of ink and paper colors.  The leaf ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  The challenge entered is Free For All 57 - Hello Sunshine, to be inspired by the sun.  I've got my sunflower, and that is pretty sunny!



I used a new-to-me Spellbinders die called Beaded Circles to create the sentiment circle.  My in-laws gave it to me for my birthday.  The sentiment is from Mark's Finest Papers, too:  Just Dandy.

The next card was created for Free For All 56 - How Does Your Garden Grow.  I used the MFP set, Just Dandy, for both the dandelion flowers and the sentiment. 

The patterned paper comes from a freebie in a Stamper's Sampler magazine bought long ago.  I stamped the dandelions in Whisper White craft ink but did not emboss.  The punch is new-to-me; it's Martha Stewarts Double Arches.  I bought the set of corner and border punches with birthday money.


On all three of my cards in this post, I have used fabulous 3-D stickers from K & Company's Tim Coffey Blossomwood Butterfly Grand Adhesions.  I think I need to go buy another set, 'cause I don't have many left on my sticker sheet!


My final card is for Try A New Technique TLC317 - Newsworthy.  We are to use newsprint.  I cheated slightly and used a book page.  Real newsprint is a messy, smudgy affair.

A long time ago, I had punched out a Tulipe Bigz Die shape for another creation, and saved the negative that was left.  I layered this black negative over a piece of an old book page, then mounted on my card base.  The Lattice Edge punch helped transition to the edges of the card, since the negative wasn't quite large enough to cover it. 


The sentiment and tiny iris flower (seen here on the Pale Plum oval, stamped repeatedly) are from MFP's Grandma's Boudoir.  I made my own (rather lame) "newsprint" flowers from a Stampin' Up! punch. 


Here's a closeup of a dragonfly sticker from that K & Company pack.  Those stickers were worth every penny! 

That's it for now.  You all take care and thank for joining me today.  :)

Colleen

Sunflower card -
Stamps:  Seasonal Poinsettias and Just Dandy - MFP
Paper:  K & Co. Wild Raspberry Die Cut Mat Pack, Crushed Curry cardstock, white cardstock by PTI
Ink:  More Mustard, Basic Black
Other:  sponge, K & Co. Tim Coffey Blossomwood Butterfly sticker, leaf ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon, bling from Queen & Co., dimensionals

Dandelion card -
Stamps:  Just Dandy - MFP
Paper:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, patterned paper from freebie in magazine
Ink:  Whisper White craft
Punch:  Double Arches by Martha Stewart
Other:  K & Co. Tim Coffey Blossomwood Butterfly stickers, grosgrain ribbon

Tulip card -
Stamps:  Grandma's Boudoir - MFP
Paper:  Basic Black, white by PTI, Pale Plum, Very Vanilla, page from book
Ink:  Pale Plum, Basic Black
Punches:  Wide Oval, Boho Blossoms, Modern Label - SU, Lattice Edge by Martha Stewart
Other:  K & Co. Tim Coffey Blossomwood Butterfly sticker, bling from Queen & Co., silver brads from Joann's, half a Prima white flower, crochet lace trim snippet, dimensionals

25 comments:

Emily Keaton said...

All of these are just beautiful, Colleen. I love how you layered the die cut negative over your page of text. Genius! It looks wonderful. And way to use those cool stickers! I'm so glad that you found some precious time for a little paper therapy. I hope it gave you some respite. I'll talk to you soon!

Michele Gross said...

Beautiful cards! LOVE the gems on the first one-so pretty!! Praying for healing and comfort and strength.

Marisa said...

What a great mix of cards! Love the bling in the flower on the first, the MS border punch on the second and the way you punched out the image on the third. Great work on all :) Glad you got some creative time. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Anonymous said...

Love, love, love all three cards! Each one has it's own fantastic details! I don't think I could pick an absolute favorite out of the three! Those stickers are to die for! Thanks for sharing some time with us Colleen. Hugs and prayers!

Chris R. from Iowa

P.S. I wish my family would give me fun birthday presents like that!

darkchami said...

Your cards are so beautiful. I love that they aren't so over the top that I feel like I couldn't even try to do something similar. They approachable and yet still amazing.

I am also amazed at your strength. At this difficult time, you manage to keep moving forward. Stay strong.

Bev J. said...

All beautiful cards and I love the stickers. Praying for your family!

LeAnne said...

My goodness, Colleen, these are all beautiful! That last one is stunning! Praying for your child to get better soon and for strength and guidance.
Blessings,
LeAnne

Maria said...

All gorgeous cards, Colleen! Love that double arches Martha Stewart punch! Keeping thoughts and prayers for your daughter, you, and family. Sending warm hugs your way...take care!

~Tammy~ said...

I'll drop you an email! I have been away house hunting, so I am trying to play catch up! Many hugs and prayers your way! Your creations are beautiful as always and they are so finely detailed as always and I love them each! I am amazed you can find time to craft right now, but if you are like me it helps! Thinking of you! :-)

Joanne (jojot) said...

so gorgeous...each and every one.....and so glad you were able to escape your woes for just a bit during the creative process

Tracey said...

You have been one busy lady!!! ADORE all these cards Col!! Hugs, TRace

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

OHHHHHHHHH, Col!! I just love all three of these cards--but that first one....with the gems as the center of the sunflower...OH! I am sooooooooo in LOVE! LOVE LOVE LOVE:) This post made my day! Inspired!! LOVE!

Benzi said...

Colleen, so glad to see you making some cards. I absolutely love that bright sunflower.
Love your pretty border punch, too.
All your cards are just beautiful creations. I don't blame you for not using that smudgy, messy newsprint. LOL
Hugs to you!

Ann Schach said...

Three fabulous cards, Colleen! Love those bees! I'm glad that you found some "me" time. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.

Virginia L. said...

BEAUTIFUL cards you made, Colleen! I also find card-making is theapeutic no matter what kind of stress we are dealing with. So sorry to hear your child is unwell. Will keep you and family in my thoughts and prayers!

Linda Callahan said...

Your cards are beautiful - you have such an artistic flair! Thinking of you and praying for your daughter's recovery.

Bonnie said...

What a cheery sunflower and I love your garden. Great idea to use a page from a book. Newsprint is so messy. I'm keeping you and your family in my prayers.

Pauline said...

Oh Colleen, these are just beautiful! I am sending happy thoughts and prayers for your daughter, and hoping for a speedy recovery for her. Hugs and smiles to you, my friend xxx

sparklygirl-Tina said...

Hi Colleen

Just catching up with my blogging. My heart goes out to you - so sorry to read that one of your children is very ill. My thoughts are with you.

Love your three cards all stunning.

Take care

Big Hugs

Tina
X

Heather S. said...

Hugs my friend! Beautiful cards - so glad to see you creating. Hope things get better for all of you soon. Thinking of you! :)

Stacey G.-2 Craf-t-4u said...

Great Cards Colleen! Love that bee in the first two. Just made a card he would have been perfect for! Love the elegance of the black and purple card! Love the negative over the book page! Really hope your daughter is OK. Your in my thoughts!

Stella said...

It's amazing to see that you are able to create these gorgeous cards! And having so much on your mind.... I'm impressed.
I really hope your daughter is recovering. Take care...

Andrea Ewen said...

All beautiful and what a wonderful reminder of a pending Spring! Come on, Spring, get here already!

Shirley said...

All three are wonderful! I save things to work on later too. I am in the process of trying to use them. Ha! Love your blog!...and your creativity too!

Erum Tasneem said...

THIS I LOVE!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...