Aug 27 2007
Ruby Tuesday: Lovely, Framed
Hello! I’m so glad you could drop in to share another Ruby Tuesday!
I was feeling the need for sleek simplicity when I made this card. Does that feel good to you sometimes, too? Now, I’m all for layers and panels and bits overlapping or peeking from behind. Fancy brads and pretty buttons, photo turns and opulent ribbons and trims will turn my head into the next century, as the overfilled drawers in my stamp room will testify. The quest for ever more original and interesting designs is perpetual and mind boggling and ultimately I come to this place — where I need to rest…just ease down and take a slow, deep breath and fill myself with a fresh creative outlook. In time I’ll wander away and lose sight of this tranquil place but I’ll always find my way back again. I’ll remember how much I enjoyed my visit.
It was a pleasure to design a card that’s clean and uncluttered but I wanted it to present with a little interest, too. In my going-easy-on-myself frame of mind I fell back on familiarity — a simple recessed frame with a float-mounted image and some out of the box cutting. Very simple but it felt like enough. I pieced together three different patterns of the Stella Ruby paper and adhered that panel to Old Olive. Then I punched a window in it. The flower was stamped on Very Vanilla and colored and shaded with SU! water based markers.
This photo shows the back side of the panel with the beginnings of the punched frame. I determined the length my frame would need to be and then marked the panel so the frame would be vertically centered. I slid the 1 3/8″ square punch all the way in and made my first punch. I continued punching in this manner until I reached the mark on the other end.
As you can see in the finished card, I sanded the inside edges of the frame to give it a little definition. After I tied the ribbon on — that sweet, soft, pliable SU! taffeta ribbon — I adhered the frame panel to the card front. The card front, by the way, is Chocolate Chip stamped with Chocolate Chip Linen, a wonderful, visually textural effect.
I was in the middle of going all earthy on this card when I took a notion to add the pink and bring out the feminine side of its character. To tell the truth, I was actually just looking for a reason to use my new pink taffeta.
This photo shows a bit of the out of the box cutting. To accomplish this I stamp the image and then use a ruler to draw a light pencil line where I’ll make the new cut. I cut along the line till I come to where the image overlaps it, then cut around the image and pick up again where the line continues on the other side.
Out of the box is something I’ve done many times to add interest to a design. This technique was the challenge I presented in the recent Splitcoaststampers Dare to Get Dirty Fan Club challenge extravaganza. Many people remarked that they’d never tried this before so I thought I’d share it here in case someone might benefit from this information. To view a whole gallery of out of the box designs, please click here.
Thank you so much for spending a little bit of your Tuesday with me. I wonder what the next stop on my stamping journey will be. I hope to see you again when I get there. Happy Ruby Tuesday!
Stamps: Oh So Lovely, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Garden Silhouettes (the word, “Lovely”)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla, BasicGrey Stella Ruby DP
Ink: Timber Brown Stazon, Creamy Caramel, markers: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery
Accessories: 1 3/8″ square punch, pink taffeta ribbon, Scotch brand dimensional mounting tape
Very lovely. Yes, simplicity can be soothing. I like the out-of-box you did. I’ve only done that techinque a couple times but need to do it more.
Oh Leslie - your so-called “simple” cards are just stunning! I love both the recessed frame & out of the box ideas - thanks for providing extra detail. It’s funny you used this stamp tonight - I’m working on a card now that cases another card design you did with it! Now I have to add this one to my “must-case” tag as well.
Absolutely beautiful. I really like the way you’ve layered the paper on the card base, too. A perfect way to add interest, still keeping it “sleek”!
How beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing this technique and great instructions! You are totally awesome! I have to make a special birthday card for my sister…and hope to use this idea. Hmmm…what paper do I to that would work??? Thanks!
This card is soooo beautiful!! Thank you for sharing instructions on making an *out of the box* card, too. I particularly liked the tip on how you used a square punch to create the window - very clever.
Your flip book is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing!
Wow! What a wonderful card! Love the out of the box flower,what a great idea! I’ll have to try that,TFS!!
I’m sorry I am a bit mixed up hear today. Your tutorial on your layered panel card is amazing. You make it look so simple and easy, but I have never thought of it before. You have inspired me to try it now. Thanks for the instructions on how easy it is to make this beautiful card.
Very nice flip book! I will try to make one sometime soon. I hope it turns out as nice as yours!
I have never looked more forward to Tuesdays than I have with spending time with your Rubys - even more than when I first qualified (heavens) for a senior discount several years ago at Ross (which, BTW I used, once, for some pillowcases). I just love this card and how it all came together - including the pink taffeta.
Your stories, recipes, tutorials make me feel like I am a student sitting in your classes and enjoying myself immensely. Thank you once again.
I love the recessed frame idea. I am now logging that away for future use….
I love how you continually find different ways to use Stella Ruby! The outside-the-box technique looks so great in this card. I agree, simple is good and the stamp is so well-suited to a “simple” card. Of course, if I tried to get all the papers and cut-outs to line up like this, it wouldn’t be that simple for me! LOL!
Gorgeous card - and thanks for sharing your technique - it looks great!!
Beth (mommy to a busy 4 yr old)
Just stunning!!
Your card says it all - LOVELY!!!
Tranquility, spa green and soothing surroundings…your gorgeous card! Deb
Wow this is gorgeous!! How do you do it? Every week your cards are more beautiful and using the same paper it just blows my mind! I love the out of the box flower.
I’m so glad that you showed how you did that! I will definitely be trying this technique out soon, It looks so eye catching!
Your card is stunning! I love how you added the bits of pink to this earthy and gorgeous card! Your descriptions are perfect (I wish I could be so well spoken).
SO beautiful Leslie! I LOVE that stamp and how it’s cut out! Great job!
Just beautiful! Love when you do the cut out images!
another stunner for my keeper file. I am amazed at the ideas at see at 4 AM
I love your long tall variation of a window card, which I’m so partial to anyway. And leave it to you to add some special interest with a little “out of the box.” Love the coordinating pinks between the flowers and the tafetta ribbon. Linda
I love your out of the box design!!! Great window, Leslie!
Simply beautiful, Leslie. I just love the “out of the box” look. The touch of pink flowers and ribbon is wonderful!
Leslie, your card is beautiful!
Leslie, your simplicity is so creative and gorgeous. I always love your out of the box designs (one of my fav. tech. too) and recessed frame. Your DP’s and colors are just perfect too. TFS
This is AWESOME!What a stunning way to add interest to one of my favourite simple stamps. The pink is just right. I love that you included a link to the outside the box gallery as well. :0) Mel
Gorgeous card! Thanks for the tutorial!
[…] punched the frame in the top two layers of the card per my instructions here. After I finished this card I realized I used one of the same My Mind’s Eye Kaleidoscope […]
Wonderful Card!