reclaimed trash

I got a new stamp set called Chalk Talk by Stampin' Up. It has a coordinating Framelit set that I wanted to play with yesterdat. So I set about making a card based on tag. Let's just say that things didn't go well. Ever have one of those crafting days? I must have worked on this tag for three hours. First I played with the colors. Then I had trouble stamping the flower image with white embossing powder. Once I had it kind of working, I still wasn't happy with it, so I crumpled it all up threw it away. I felt pretty dejected. Not very creative. I vowed to start something new with the set tomorrow.

Tomorrow came and I decided that my crafting space was too messy to be creative in! So I set out to straighten up a bit. I put away my stamp pads. I organized my scrap bits into color families. I put all of my tools back where they belong. And I gathered up all the paper bits that had fallen on the floor to toss them into the trash. That's when I spied my tag from yesterday, all crumpled up and sad. I rescued it, pressed it out flat, and decided that it wasn't so bad after all! I kind of liked the double embossed look of the flower. Yesterday, what had frustrated me had now become a happy accident!). I even loved the distressed effect! (Behind the scenes look: I just had to google effect vs. affect to keep all of my grammar nazi friends happy). Lesson learned? Sometime when crafting and things just aren't clicking, walk away. It just might look better in the morning!

Happy stamping!

Time to get girly

Sometimes, even I, get a little bit girly. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes, I get a whole lot girly! Like with this card. I couldn't help myself! I started with the flower image from Gentler Times, a retired set that I haven't used that much, but lately, I've fallen in love with it! I decided to use my Aquapainters and I had a great time water coloring. When I finished, I knew that I wanted to soften the look of the image. It looked too stark against the clean watercolor paper. 

I clear embossed the ledger image from By the Tide and sponged a bit of Crumb Cake and Pear Pizzazz over top of that. 

I couldn't leave the mat just plain. The girly side of me had taken over. I got out my Versa Mark, and embossed the Helli Doily stamp with Gold Embossing Powder. 

I went nuts and made the edge of the card all fru-fru with a fancy scalloped edge that I dry embossed. I love how this card turned out! 

Happy stamping!

Peek a boo

Clean, simple lines. Crisp colors. And great use of negative space! I have to admit, I love this card! And I love how easy Backyard Basics Framelits makes cutting the butterfly out. Sometimes it's all about the tools. And that is the case here. 

For the sentiment, I inked up my stamp once and then stamped it three times without reinking. I love how it looks like it's flying off the page. Just like the butterfly. It gives the card a sense of movement.

Happy Stamping!