Hello, Friend. Yes, you. The one sitting in front of your computer. :) Just popping in to say hello to you. I hope you're having a great week so far.
I've got a friendly little card to show you today.....it's a bit scrappy and layered and I've also made a fun little discovery that I can't wait to show you. Let's get right to the details!
I started out with an aqua mist card base and added a piece of ledger patterned paper from the Library Ledger collection. Next, I began laying out a variety of die cut bits and pieces as well as a few stamped items, as I was building the card....not sticking anything down yet, but just getting a feel for how I wanted to place everything. You see, I wanted to use that little kraft bag (bought a bag of them at Michael's in their gift wrap section).
To the bottom right corner of the kraft bag, I stamped the "hello, friend" sentiment from Mat Stack 4 Collection. Behind the bag, I adhered a strip of dotted patterned paper from the Distressed Dots collection, as well as a bit of kraft card stock that was die cut using my Rick Rack Die.
Next, I die cut some scarlet jewel card stock with the mat stack 3 die and stamped one of the images from the Mat Stack 3 Collection, using scarlet jewel ink and adhered that behind the kraft bag.
Then, I die cut a bit of aqua mist card stock with a Doily Details Die and a bit of rustic cream card stock with one of the Limitless Layers: 1 3/4" circle dies. On that layer, I stamped a heart circle from the 2010 Love Tags stamp set in more scarlet jewel ink. Some leaves from Turning a New Leaf were stamped with aqua mist and scarlet jewel inks and both were cut out with paper snips. They were then adhered behind the doily and behind the flower.
A bit of fine linen felt was die cut with one of the Beautiful Blooms II #2 dies and I stitched a scarlet jewel button to it's center with a bit of rustic cream button twine. Behind the flower, I slid in a couple of pearl straight pins (from Michael's).
HERE'S A COLOR BALANCING TIP FOR YOU: Scarlet Jewel is a pretty dark color and I didn't want it to overpower any of the other colors in my color combo. I also wanted to maintain a really light, airy, springy feel to the card, so I simply used the dark color (scarlet jewel) in small snippets.......a skinny strip of patterned paper, a small button, small stamped hearts, a couple of leaves, and just a hint of a die cut mat stack 3 layer peeking out. By keeping the scarlet jewel to a minimum, it doesn't darken the overall look of the card too much, but I still get the benefit of the great contrast it provides when used in conjunction with aqua mist. It's almost like using it as a neutral, sort of like I would dark chocolate.
Plus, by using each color in my color scheme several times each, it really showcases the color scheme. Notice that I've used each of the 4 main colors at least 3 times each on this one card. Scarlet Jewel: skinny strip of patterned paper, small button, small stamped hearts, a couple of leaves, mat stack 3 layer. Aqua Mist: card base, doily, leaves. Cream: ledger paper, scalloped circle, pins. Kraft: sack, rick rack, felt flower.
Try to look for ways to use the colors you're working with at least 3 times each, to provide balance and to really showcase your color combo.
Now, check out the top of the kraft bag. There's a little something peeking out the top!
The button card die was used to die cut a bit of rustic cream card stock and that little button card die cut is a perfect fit inside the kraft bag!!! SO cute! I stamped 2 different button images from Button Boutique as well as one of the button card images. Then, along the bottom of the button card, I stamped the "just thinking of you" sentiment from Mat Stack 2 Collection. Again, a perfect fit! To finish things off, I punched a small hole in the button card and tied a bit of new leaf button twine in a bow, which makes a handy little "handle" for sliding the card out of the bag. It will also tip off the recipient that there's a little something inside the bag, that she might want to check out.
I can't wait to send this card off to a friend. I hope she likes it!
Hope you're having a great evening. I'm planning to spend a bit more time in the studio tonight......right after I have a bit of dinner. :)
Thanks for stopping by!
{hello, friend supplies}
Paper: aqua mist, scarlet jewel, kraft, rustic cream, Distressed Dots, Library Ledger
Stamps: Mat Stack 4 Collection, Mat Stack 2 Collection, Mat Stack 3 Collection, Turning a New Leaf, 2010 Love Tags, Button Boutique
Ink: scarlet jewel, aqua mist
Other: rick rack die, button card die, doily details die, mat stack 3 die, limitless layers: 1 3/4" circle die, beautiful blooms II #2 die, fine linen felt, rustic cream button twine, new leaf baker's twine, scarlet jewel button, small hole punch, Dritz pearlized straight pins (Michael's), small kraft bag (Michael's)
