May 27 2008
Magnolia
I made this card for someone special, as you might have guessed from the sentiment. I love shaped cards…well…even a rectangle is a shape but I mean something other than the standard rectangular card. I was hoping it might be just a little bit more special if it was other than a rectangle.
I cut my oval shapes with my Creative Memories oval cutting system. This started out with a vertical orientation but not only would it not stand on its own, it looked suspiciously like an egg! Not exactly what I had in mind… So I tried cutting a little off the bottom so it would have a straight edge on which to stand — then it looked even more like an egg! Alas! Well, gee, at least I know what I’ll be doing for Easter next year… I did find, however, that it would stand once I turned it on its side.
More trial and error: If the spine isn’t centered exactly the card will sit lopsided. I thought I was home free when I re-engineered that. Well…as the magnolia blossoms were added their teensy little bit of weight would tilt the card to one side or the other. Finally, though, with a little here and a little there I managed to balance both the weight and the design. The finished card is almost exactly standard A2 size — just a tiny bit narrower.
The pretty magnolia blossoms are from Flourishes’ Lilac set and the sentiment is from Many Sentiments. I gave the magnolias a blush of pink chalk, then one quick spray with matte sealer. They were very easy to cut out and fun to arrange. The embossed background was lightly sponged with pink. An absence of glitter or embossing kept the overall appearance very soft. The small scalloped oval, by the way, was made with a giga-punch.
I hope she likes it! Have a wonderful day!
- Stamps: Lilac, Many Sentiments — both from Flourishes
- Paper: Pretty in Pink, River Rock, Whisper White
- Ink: Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, River Rock
- Accessories: Ribbon, Creative Memories oval cutting system, Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder, scallop punch, soft chalks for coloring, spray matte sealer, Scotch brand foam mounting tape
Yep, tried that vertical egg thing too and it didn’t work out for me either. I really love how this came out. Great cb and beautiful sentiment stamp!
Oh Leslie, this card is spectacularly elegant and beautiful. Your flower placement is perfect and the sponging on the sentiment is a wonderful touch.
Leslie this is so fine. Love every inch of it. Your extra engineering paid off big time. They will love this. TFS
Thanks so much for sharing this gorgeous creation!
It is gorgeous!!!! Your extra effort was worth the outcome!! The receipent will treasure it!
This is the prettiest card I have ever seen Leslie, I love ovals!
The elegance of this card is just amazing! It is just plain out and out stunning! Your ideas never cease to amaze me Leslie…I am going to have to CASE this one
Oh My Leslie! This is gorgeous!! I love the shape of the card but the magnolia’s still the show!! The soft pink coloring is stunning!!
This is beautiful Leslie - and you bring whole new meaning to having to have “balance” in your card!
You must be an incredibly patient person, I probably would have given up on this shape much sooner! I hope the special person knows how much thought and effort you put into your cards!
Absolutely gorgeous! I love the elegance and soft color, as well as the oval. Beautiful job, Leslie!
Just beautiful!
What a soft and pretty card! The oval is just perfect with your flowers and colors.
Ooooh, this ever so lovely!!! Love the soft colors and the card’s design - beautiful!!
Wow, this card is gorgeous!
I love this! Especially the embossing and the colors, so soft and pretty. I guess it does have an Easter-y look, but why should Easter have the monopoly on eggs? Unfair! lol!
You did a great job on the card. I love it. Thanks for sharing the idea. Mary
A really beautiful card-so soft and pretty. Like your design. tfs
Bev J.
Leslie, this is a simply stunning card. Okay, now I’m on the hunt for the Creative Memories cutting system. Gee, thanks!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA Have a wonderful day!
Wanda
This is so stunning, and so beautiful, Leslie!! I love shaped cards, and oh what patience you must have to create this beauty!! I love the soft colors, texture…and your coloring is as lovely as ever!! I can almost smell those magnolia blooms! Sniff, sniff……ahhhhhhh!
Perfectly balanced and so beautiful. I am definately going to try this. Thank you for such inspiration.
what a pretty, charming card — love the idea of an oval card. TFS!!
So beautiful!
Many Blessings,
M.
Breathtakingly beautiful - pure and simple. You have a tremendous talent!
She will absolutely LOVE it!!! Just Gorgeous Leslie!
Absolutely divine!!!
lovely - please tell us you will post the template for us novices to attempt
Absolutely stunning!!! This card is beautiful!! Thanks for sharing.
Incredibly Stunning, Elegant and yes, very, very Special ! I love the softness, textures, colors and oval design. TFS your beauty
What a BEAUTIFUL card (I think that’s almost always the word that comes to mind when I see your work!)!! Love the softness of it. I’m sure your friend will love it — and if she’s a stamper, she will no doubt appreciate the delicate balance of creativity and engineering. tfs
Oh my, this is simply wonderful. Your friend is ’specially lucky too!
Marion
UK
This is elegant and gorgeous and different. Can’t beat that combo! It is special for sure.
Leslie, This is stunning!!!! I just keep looking and looking at it with all the wonderful details. Beautiful!
Just Beautiful, very lucky girl to recieve this one!! Love the shape and thanks for all the tips, pretty softness to the whole card!
Wow. amazing.. hmmm oval card.. hmm might have to try this out.. you have amazing cards as always and I love them ALL!!!!
Thats my challenge for myself today to make an oval card.. hmmm lets see what I come up with! lol Thank you for the mojo push!!
Leslie, this is SO beautiful! I love the tint of pink on the embossing! I love the shape too.
Leslie, this is JUST a stunner — totally amazing!!!! So soft and delicate — a true work of art!!!! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful creativity with us all!!!
Just beautyfull as every time !
Sooo Beautiful…
this card is so beautiful, it reminds me of our apple blossom festival we just celebrated on the weekend. Our little valley was just covered with beautiful pink and white blossoms.
As I have told you in the past, you make some of the prettiest cards I have ever seen. To give gifts to others also is fantastic and sweet.
Stunning card! Love the oval! Just gorgeous! Deb
What a beautiful card with so many textures and details. I love it!
CB
This is so unusual, just lovely
This card is lovely, and the coloring on the magnolias is perfect. I am looking to plant one of these trees over the grave of a good dog that I just had to lay to rest after over 13 years with her… this card could be for HER… I am so glad I stopped by to see it.
So feminine and elegant, and wonderful dimension - love those Magnolia’s. I think I’ll be ordering that Lilac set soon, along with Spring Ephemerals, because I’ve got to have that Bleeding Heart image! But I digress - back to this very special card. The light touch with the chalking creates a soft and sweet effect, and bows don’t get more perfect than that! And I really enjoyed your description of this cards’ evolution, LOL. I look forward to seeing your very special Easter card next year. Linda