May 25 2008
One Flowered Branch
Hello! I hope you’re all having a nice holiday weekend. It’s been a stay-at-home for me but I’m enjoying every precious minute of it. We were expecting rain so you can imagine our surprise and delight with two beautiful days so far. I can’t help but be outside when it’s like this so I haven’t done much stamping. What I do have to share is a card I made the other day with my Stampin’ Up! Artfully Asian set.
This, essentially, is a layout on top of a layout. Do you find yourself sitting frustrated at your stamping table sometimes, trying to come up with an original layout? How many more original layouts can there possibly be? In fact, I CASE’d my own layout. I used this card as a guide. The only change I made was to split the first background layer into two parts and place a band across the seam. That, alone, would be a layout and one I’ve used many times, such as in this card. The first CASE I showed you is simply this card with the layout turned upside down.
It’s a fun way to stretch your layout possibilities and exercise your imagination: Find two layouts and combine them in some manner to make one new layout. Or flip a layout upside down. Or make a mirror image. Or do all at once and really mix things up. Keep it as simple or as complex as you like. Many of you probably do this all the time. If not, I hope this is a helpful idea the next time you hit a wall.
As for my one flowered branch: I colored it with markers, put Crystal Effects on the buds and Stardust Stickles on the flowers — much more effective in real life. I shaded around the branch with Old Olive Stampin’ Pastels (soft chalks) and sponged the edges of the panel with Pale Plum ink. When I was putting the layout with all the papers and panels together I was thinking what a lot of to do it was for this one little branch, but that’s part of the fun of stamping — the paper crafting.
Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend. I know we all have loved ones who’ve passed yet occupy our thoughts much of the time. Today we’re reminded, not only of the folks we knew and loved, but of others who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We honor them with respect today. Thank you.
- Stamps: Artfully Asian, Warm Words
- Paper: Certainly Celery, Pale Plum, Very Vanilla, retired SU! double sided designer paper
- Ink: Basic Brown, Pale Plum, markers for coloring
- Accessories: SU! ribbon and hardware, ticket corner punch, Stampin’ Pastels, Stardust Stickles, Crystal Effects, Scotch brand foam mounting tape
This is gorgeous!
This card is so lovely. Thanks also for the tips on layout—-I think this is what I struggle with the most—if there’s a sketch challenge out there, I feel like I can come up with a nice card—-but left on my own I have no confidence. Thanks for your help….still growing in this craft!
Oh Leslie this is so *dreamy*! LOVE it!
OH this card is peaceful and so beautiful. Lovely as always
Beautiful Leslie! Love your colour and paper choices…oldies but goodies! Your layout is fabulous; love it on both cards, and I might have to try it myself!
This is so very beautiful, Leslie!! I love the celery with the pale plum!! Your flowers are gorgeous, and I love your beautiful papers and hardware!!
I’m happy to hear you’re having nice weather for the long weekend!!
Leslie, this is absolutely wonderful. I’ll be diving into my “stash” to retrieve this designer series paper!!! Thanks!
This is really a beautiful card - the layout, the colors, the stamps - everything!
This is absolutely gorgeous! Love everything about the card. TFS.
Gorgeous card and I love all the DP you used! Perfect and love the layout!!
Your card is so cute! LOVE those colors ~ Great job! http://artycreationblogspot.com
Such Beautiful Spring Colours Leslie……………….gorgeous!!!!!
I absolutely adore this card! Love all the colors and paper! And the sketch is fabulous,going to have to case this one!
This is such a stunning card — SO beautiful! The image is just lovely, and I love the soft colors and your paper choices. The layout ideas you shared are tips I’m gonna have to remember. tfs!
Your layouts are always fresh neat Leslie. This is beautiful with so many details yet remains crisp and simple in asian style. Gorgeous weekend here too, a gentle rain fell in the night but cleared up at dawn and made for a perfect parade day!
I have this same problem, sometimes. You did this layout justice for sure, though! This is such a pretty card, Leslie!
Really beautiful , great color combo !
Beautiful papers, and love your chalking around the stamping!
Happiness is admiring every little detail of your gorgeous work of art! I love your layout on top of a layout and how your ribbon thru a slide pulls it all together. TFS your very Inspirational card
So soft and elegant, Leslie!
Lovely and beautiful card… the layout, the colors and the stamps
This card is just stunning! so soft and elegant with the pastel colors. Love it!!
Beautiful card, Leslie. This pretty little branch with your wonderful coloring looks perfect with these papers. TFS.
I just have to say that this is beautiful enough to be framed!!! If I were the jealous type (which I am not), I would be jealous of your talent! Maybe it is envy I am feeling…LOL…I just love everything you post!
This is so pretty! I like your layout(s). I really like the ribbon (no knot) with the slider. It seems as if I can rarely let a ribbon go untied.
Totally beautiful — AA never looked better and I LOVE that particular SU paper and these colors — so well done!!! TFS!!!
This card is so soft and pretty!
Denise
It’s lovely! One of the most beautiful cards I’ve ever seen…
So very soft and pretty. I love these colors (that’s one of my all-time favorite SU! designer paper) and how you blinged up the flowers and leaves and shaded around them. Your designs always amaze me - thanks for sharing how you arrived at this one. Linda