May 18 2008
Asian Branches
Today I decided to use my Artfully Asian Stampin’ Up! set which has never seen ink. I’ve been shopping here, there and everywhere, enjoying so much of what the market has to offer I’m afraid I’ve nearly lost sight of how instrumental Stampin’ Up! has been in teaching me to love this craft. Were it not for Stampin’ Up! and Splitcoaststampers I’m sure I wouldn’t be sitting here composing a blog post today. My goodness, so many things have happened since that first Stampin’ Up! party.
All that said about Stampin’ Up! and Splitcoaststampers, I wouldn’t have gotten even that far if a coworker hadn’t come along to show me a project she made at a hostess club party. Well…I’d seen some Stampin’ Up! projects before but this…this was something special! You may have guessed by now I was at the very next party. But, can you imagine who the demonstrator was? How could I be so lucky as to be introduced to Stampin’ Up! by our very own *Cambria*? There was simply no turning back…
So, I’m feeling a little sentimental today… and I want to say “thank you” to more folks than I can possibly mention. Please include yourselves in that great big, universal thank you because you’re the reason I keep coming back here. I may have never met you or heard your voice…but…we’re connected because you’re reading this right now…and you’re reading this because we have something in common — stamping. It’s pretty awesome, really!
So…about the card: I would have thought my first card with this set would be with that pretty blossom branch (apple? cherry?). So why, then, did I make this card instead? Well…I saw a pretty little willow tree with pink and green leaves when I was out flower shopping the other day. I was coveting it for my garden but I don’t have room for another tree (sad face). Nevertheless, it inspired my card and for that I’m happy. As the sentiment says, each day provides its own gifts.
It’s a simple card but, of course, I had to color all those leaves. I did that with SU! markers. I thought it was interesting that when I brushed Celery over Pretty in Pink it came out sort of a Kraft color. Even more interesting that I’d already decided to mount the colored panel on a Kraft card base…hmmmmm…serendipity!
I sponged some Soft Sky on my two panels and some Craft white (white pigment ink) on the edges of the card base. The layered Prima flowers are dotted in their centers with Crystal Stickles — just a little touch of sparkle for a very soft, subdued card.
I’ve made another card with this set, too, but I’ll be sharing that later. I hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend. I got all my flowers planted and some other garden chores done, as well. Happy Spring! I’ll see you again soon!
- Stamps: Artfully Asian
- Paper: Kraft, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla
- Ink: Timber Brown Stazon, Soft Sky, Craft White, markers for coloring
- Accessories: Kraft taffeta ribbon, Prima flowers, Crystal Stickles, Pretty in Pink eyelets, ticket corner punch, Scotch brand foam mounting tape
What a soft and beautiful card. I can imagine Cambria was quite an inspirational force in your stamping birth - I love her work. Lucky for us you got hooked! :0)
Gorgeous card Leslie, I love your sentimental thoughts as well!
Beautiful card!! Your first paragraph hit home with me also! I am so happy to be part of this artist adventure and you are a true inspiration Leslie!
Gorgeous card! I love the soft, subtle colours, and your layout - well, everything really!
Very pretty! I know how you feel about SU…..sometimes I stray, but still feel their stamps are a good value as well as a great company. TFS!
LeAnne
This is just beautiful!!!
This is so soft and beautiful, Leslie!! I love your coloring and the subtle colors!
That is so lovely — I’ve always wondered what exactly to do with that image and now I know. You’ve colored it beautifully!
Oh goodness! Such a lovely card. Soft and serene.
Elizabeth Bead Diva
Wow! This is really gorgeous. I just love how you colored those little leaves.
This is lovely, Leslie! A beautiful job! I never would have thought to use pink and green together on the same leaf. Very pretty!
Thank you for the thank you! I enjoy reading your blog everyday and becoming inspired by all of your great projects. Thanks for sharing your talent with us.
This card is beautiful…love the subtle colors.
Charmaine
Ahhh a lovely card, Leslie! You are so right about SU! leading us to this path today. I get a little misty just thinkin’ about it! Thanks for sharing that with us!
Simple but stunning as usual! I love Artfully Asian and I don’t think you can create a bad card with it, but your colors make this beautiful.
As usual…This is just beautiful!!! I would never have thought of using that branch stamp to make such an elegant card…You have a talent for thinking “out of the realm!” I am learning a lot just because I am subscribed to your blog. TFS!!
So very pretty, love the soft bg to your stamping. Really enjoyed your beautiful garden pictures too in your last post!
Beautiful, Leslie! I love how you used different colors on the leaves. I like the white sponging around the edges too! So soft!
Absolutely gorgeous card! Definitely one to CASE! Thanks for the inspiration!!!!!!!!
I can’t imagine being introduced to SU by Cambria!! I still can’t believe you two live in the same town, soooo much talent in one little place.
Truly so soft and beautiful — I love the softened edges and the delicately sponged soft blue background — just wonderful!!!
Oh my! How I love what you did with this (less used) Artfully Asian image. White ink on Kraft paper always sends me, and the subtle sponging of Soft Sky creates a beautiful background. And I think I know the inspiration for your fantastic coloring of the leaves: the Hakuro Nishiki Willow. I’ve also coveted that shrub since early spring, every time I’ve seen it on my many Nursery strolls. I’m having a hard time finding a good spot for it in our yard, but I’m determined! Linda