Thursday, March 19, 2015

Guesting over at Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine

Hello everyone!  I'm truly excited about being a Guest Designer today!  Catherine, the publisher of Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine, asked me to contribute to their weekly blog feature, Card Cafe Thursday.  It's a thrill to be asked.  :-)

I'm sharing the article I wrote for SCT with readers here at my own blog, but I certainly welcome you to visit the SCT blog and have a look around.  Their website is so bright, fresh, and lovely.They offer papercrafting challenges and sketches, free digital magazine content, and more. 

Here we go!:
I’d like to share with you a few cards that feature some of my favorite embellishments: sequins and pearls.  These little beauties always add pizzazz to a project.  I've long been a fan of pearls on my cards, but admit that my recent addiction to sequins might have taken over.  :0) I add ‘em to nearly everything lately!


Imagine this baby card without its deep orange and white sequins

When I first created the card, I thought the butterflies-in-a-jar motif added such a fun touch, and I thought it was finished…until I spied new-to-me Pretty Pink Posh sequins on my work table.  By adding a smattering of these little gems, this card suddenly came to life. 


Stamps: butterflies - Springtime Beauty II - Inspired By Stamping; sentiment - Absolutely Fabulous - Stampin' Up! Paper: Vintage Cream, white, True Black - Papertrey Ink; gingham - Garden Vignettes by Carina Gardner - My Mind's Eye Ink: Pumpkin Pie - Stampin' Up!; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Marshmallow, Bronze sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; Baby die - Papertrey Ink; Modern Label punch - Stampin' Up!

I love making black cards because they are dramatic, and very eye-catching.  On this example (my very first shaker card, woohoo!), I’ve got several details that take it to the next level.  A My Favorite Things / Die-namics ‘Fancy Flourishdie cut, also in black, provides subtle texture, as does flocked patterned paper and a black seam binding ‘Colleen Bow.’  (P.S., I have a bow tutorial on my blog here.) 


The stitched rectangle frame adds more subtle interest, and how about that dotted acetate?  There are iridescent hearts, and even some lip sequins in this shaker.  Initially, I had trouble deciding where to put a sentiment on this card, and I put the project away to think it over.  The next day, the idea of a little tag at the top of the shaker popped into my head.


Stamps: sentiment - Fresh Cut Wreaths - Wplus9 Paper: True Black, white - Papertrey Ink; dotted acetate - Stampin' Up!; lavender and black flocked pattern Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: black seam binding - Hug Snug - The Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: assorted sequins; Fancy Flourish die - My Favorite Things/Die-namics; lavender rhinestone - Queen & Co.; Tiny Tags die - Papertrey Ink; Stitched Rectangles die - L'il Inker Designs

One of my most favorite card-making styles is a shabby chic / vintage vibe.  And you know what I love to pair with that?  PEARLS!


The inspiration for this card was a piece of packaging from some stickers.  It’s pink, with text all over it, and I just couldn’t throw it out!  I had die-cut a spiral notebook page from it for another project, and saved the negative, which happily fit this card perfectly.  I backed it with some lined patterned paper, added an Altenew sentiment, a couple of buttons, and scattered pearls.


The rooster image, as well as the flowers, were trimmed from patterned paper and added with foam tape for dimension.  And do you spy even more pearls in the bower of flowers?  I’m telling ya, they make everything better! 


Stamps: Sentiments & Quotes - Altenew Paper: Pink Pirhouette, damask, rooster/flower/lined patterns - Stampin' Up!; text/pink packaging Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Walnut Stain - Ranger Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions; Sahara Sand ribbon - SU Accessories & Tools: Spiral Notebook Page die - Papertrey Ink; pearls; pale blue buttons - SU

Since I tend to use gem and pearl stickers quite often on my projects, I keep a pretty box full of them near my work table.  Inside, gems and pearls are separated by color family in zip-top plastic sandwich bags.  My absolute favorite brand is Queen & Co., not only for the variety of colors, but also their budget-friendly price. 

Thanks for allowing me to share my joy about being a Guest Designer with YOU!

12 comments:

Unknown said...

WOW!! These are all so beautiful. I LOVE the black shaker card. It has such an elegant feel to it. And of course the mason jar with the butterflies has me smiling.

Hugs~

Anonymous said...

YAY Colleen!!!! Gorgeous cards!

Kara Lynne said...

Congratulations, Colleen! I'm so excited that you are doing this! Your cards are all gorgeous, and I love how you featured the sequins and pearls!

Marisa said...

Congrats on the GDT :) Love the black flourish on black paper next to the shaker - adds that touch of something. Cute mason jar with flowers and the multi-looped bow on the last on is the perfect touch.

Leslie Miller said...

These cards all have the WOW factor in different ways. I really love the black on black die cut flourish with your signature bow, and the baby card is so uniquely sweet. Great use of the designer paper on the rooster card. What is it about roosters that always looks so vintage, I wonder? Good job on this article, Colleen, and congrats on your guest spot!

Bonnie said...

Congratulations, Colleen! A well deserved honor, mf! Love all these cards!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

Congrats on the GDT!! These are absolutely GORGEOUS!!! I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee the colors and the designs!!!!!!!

Lisa Elton said...

Well a big YAY for you sweet Colleen and a congrats too!! What a fabulous variety of cards you're sharing today ~ beautiful work as always!

Shirley said...

So here's my story and I'm sticking to it, Colleen. I posted and was glad to be back hopping. Started another card and decided I needed some inspiration and here I am....and of course, you produced 3 beautiful cards, each with such great techniques that I am totally inspired again. Love the way you used the butterfly stamp and sequins, the sophisticated black with the shaker, and the shabby chic with the pearls!!!

Lisa Lara said...

Oh my goodness, Colleen, creations galore. Wow. Love 'em all.

Benzi said...

Super cards, Colleen. I do love your shabby chic style. And, I do like sequins a lot, too. You found the perfect spot or the sentiment on your second card.

Karin Ã…kesdotter said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

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