Sep 28 2007
Simple Flourished Sentiment
Cathy M. mentioned that she’d like to see ideas for simple cards and I’ll bet there are other folks who might enjoy that, too.
Well, Cathy, simple is right up my alley at the moment because I’ve been totally immersed in my stamp room reorganizing project for several days now. My stamp room isn’t all that much to shout about as far as being pretty and loaded with brilliant ideas. In fact, it’s a little bit of a nightmare right now and I’ve resolved to fix that situation. Once I get the current mess squared away I’ll take stock and a few measurements and get to work on some storage and work space solutions. I’ll share photos, even though it won’t be anything to get too excited about.
So…for my simple card: At one point in my reorganizing frenzy I came across this white textured paper that I purchased a long time ago at Wal-Mart. I have stacks of it in a variety of textures. This piece has a semi-gloss finish with this wonderful leathery texture. It’s surprisingly fabulous for stamping on. It takes the ink beautifully without any interference at all from the texture. It hasn’t been too long since I noticed this same paper at Wal-Mart, if you’re interested. The paper pack comes with a variety of textures and finishes.
Did I really make this card? I’ve only admired this extreme simplicity from afar till now and it took every bit of will power I have to avoid creating more of a layout. I learned something from this card, though — simplicity will set you free! Wow! I’m suddenly seeing this as a Christmas card, a wedding card, a set of thank you cards — so quick and easy. It can be elegant or sweet, depending upon the image or the font of the sentiment. This birthday sentiment is one of my Flourished Words that I love so much. The little accent image is a flower from Flourishes Fantasy Floral Garden. Gosh, it could double as a snowflake, couldn’t it? I used my double rectangle punch from Stampin’ Up! to create a spot to tie on some Basic Gray taffeta ribbon. The card is 4 1/4″ square. I’ve never made a card this fast before. My head is still spinning!
Back to work on my stamp room now. No rest for the weary. I still have a long way to go. See you again soon!
Stamps: Flourished Words, Fantasy Floral Garden
Paper: Textured white from Wal-Mart
Ink: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky
Accessories: Double rectangle punch, ribbon

I LOVE this card — it is so right up my alley!!! Great job!!! Good luck on your reorganizing — I’ll be anxious to see pictures!!!
Nope, you’re not to late to join in. I’d be more than honored! We have a swap about to start too if you want to do that too. I know you’re a busy lady, but I have to ask since I’m such a fan!
Very beautiful and you are so right - so many other possibilities for it. You’ve made it look quite easy! Simple can be a struggle for me - I tend to go back several times to see if I can add something.
This is beautiful. It isn’t “simple” though — it is difficult!! It is soo hard to pull off a clean design and you make the hard look so easy. Great job. That textured paper rocks.
That is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.simplystamping.blogspot.com
So beautiful!! Love that paper! Lucky you spending time to reorganize…I need to do that so badly myself!
Simple but gorgeous. I love it!
Very pretty!
Remember to take a before and after shots of your craft area for yourself! I kinda like whatever space you have now; don’t want a change to affect the mojo!
These simple (and one layer none the less) cards are so much harder than they look! To use just a brilliant design and stamps… and achieve something as pretty as this, well..you should win some award or something! I really love how the taffeta ribbon draws the eye to the stampin instead of “taking away” from it! Just lovely!
PERFECTLY simple! I love it!
This is so elegant and beautiful, Leslie! I love the textured paper! The Flourished Words sentiment, floral image and taffeta ribbon are perfect!
Love this card! Great job. I love how this can be turned into almost anything. Will have to look for some of this paper.
Simple and fabulous, Leslie!
Stunning! I am glad you left it alone, because it is just right the way it is!
That is soo simple and lovely. I can see like you said. christmas and so forth. thanks.
Simple is by no means plain. This is wonderful. So elegant and understated in its elegance.
Oops, I am brain dead, its almost 1AM here and I see that i miswrote my sentence. It has such an understated elegance is what I meant to write. sorry for posting twice, but I felt kinda dumb.
Hooray for simple! Excellent, Leslie! And I do love the 4 1/4 square format. It helps you to keep it simpler. Linda
This is truly simple elegance in a class all it’s own…Simply Beutiful!
Elegant and royal. Amazing card.

simply gorgeous!!
Beautifully simple! Gorgeous card Leslie!
Linda