May 06 2009
Two Silhouettes
Today I’m sharing two cards which began when I had Garden Silhouettes and this paper out the other day. I’ve been making a valiant effort to come to the end of this retired Stampin’ Up! designer paper collection (Enchante?), but it does seem to go on and on. I hoped by using these larger pieces I could put a bigger dent in what’s left, but I foresee several more cards still…sigh…
The first card is meant to be suitable as a masculine sympathy card, but it could go either way, really. The simple lines, muted colors, copper brads and cord all point in a masculine direction. There’s more foliage than flowers, with only a hint of plum. It’s funny how we form these stereotypes, not only about masculine cards, but about sympathy cards, as well. I tend toward sedate and understated for sympathy cards, but I think a lot depends upon the individual you’re remembering and the one to whom you’re sending the card. If a card can gently coax a smile from the bereaved while showing respect to the lost loved one, then all the better, but it’s a fine line when one’s emotions are in such a fragile state. Soothing and gentle is always a safe approach.
The colors I combined are Not Quite Navy and Sage Shadow. The image was stamped on Very Vanilla, sponged with Pale Plum, and coated with Glassy Glaze (ultra-thick embossing powder). It cracked on it’s own in one spot as I was handling it, and it seemed just enough.
The image on this next card was headed for disposal when it turned out so pale, but I couldn’t quite shake it from my fingers into the wastebasket. Instead, it made it’s way onto a pale plum background for a feminine birthday card. I wasn’t sure I cared much for it, but I put it in my little “cards for sale” basket at work and it was purchased the first day. You just never know.
These are both cards that can be mailed with one 42¢ stamp. I don’t mind adding extra postage to my personal cards. When in doubt I’ll put two stamps on the envelope and write “hand cancel, please”. I still think it’s a bargain for the service you receive. My “One Stamp Wednesday” cards are a challenge I’ve set for myself, to share mail-friendly designs and ensure a card or two for the basket once in a while.
Happy Wednesday to all! Thank you for sparing a moment of your time today. I’m always so glad to know you stopped by for a visit.
Oh, these are both lovely cards! ITA with you about sympathy cards. When my grandma passed recently, I got a ton of cards. The one stand-out was a hot pink one with a huge flower with happy, happy, happy on each petal. The sentiment inside was appropriate to the occasion, but I LOATHED the card. There was nothing to be happy, happy, happy about. As the card came with a yummy plate of brownies, I decided not to take offense or let it hurt my feelings…that wasn’t her intention, surely because she is a really good friend! But it felt wrong to me.
You’ve inspired me to pull out that four-year-old bottle of UTEE and CASE your first card. I don’t have that paper but can improvise. I love that SU silhouttes set…bought it used and have definitely gotten my money’s worth out of it.
Thanks for your blog, btw. You definitely inspire me in many, many ways!
Very pretty. Love the soft colours.
Just lovely!
Again, Leslie, these are both gorgeous. I’m glad you didn’t trash the “pale” one…..it’s beautiful. I would buy it in a heartbeat. I love the soft colors. They’re both so elegant. I really love your work!
Leslie, I have to second Karen above, I am glad you couldn’t shake the pale image into the trash I think it is beautiful and delicate! I would have bought it without a second thought.
Both terrific, I love the effect of the crack glass, keep forgetting these techniques when making cards, and the softness in the second one is just lovely!
Oh Wow!!! Why on EARTH do you want to get to the end of these gorgeous papers!!!! Give ‘em ter ME if yer fed up eith ‘em!!!!!LOL
Look at the fantastic two cards you just made with them! STUNNING!!!
Viv xxx
Two fantastic cards! Thank goodness you didn’t throw away that lovely image on the second one - it’s gorgeous!
Stunning cards! I always appreciate your take on Wednesdays. I can’t seem to keep from putting bulky embellies on mine. I take as an accomplishment if I can achieve that on a card. I’ve been sending mine in a clear envie which means more postage but like you said, I don’t mind putting extra postage since it is going to some special peeps.
I can’t believe you almost threw out a card - how dare you! Your creations are awesome. I love how the second card came out - very soft and perfect for a feminine birthday card!
Alma =)
Both cards are PERFECTLY GORGEOUS!!! And yes, I am yelling! LOL
I love your creations, and these are just lovely…so soft and appealing! and not so complicated, either…very nice!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent with us!
Think the second one is my favourite. Love how the soft flowers echo the
background paper - and the oveerall softness of the card!
Both cards are simply beautiful. I love the sympathy card - always so hard to make. The birthday card is just perfect. Please don’t throw your work away. Just set it aside because sometimes it will look different to you tomorrow:) TFS
Beautiful sympathy cards, Leslie! That paper does seem to go on and on. I still have a huge pile of it.
Both of these are just stunning, love the crack glass effect on the first one.
I am laughing so hard because I have this same paper and have been trying to use it up in swaps… It is like it keeps multiplying! I do love it though!
http://images.splitcoaststampers.com/data/gallery/14762/IMG_0551_by_mom2tres.JPG?ts=1241132577
Love your card! have a great day!
These are beautiful Leslie! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
Leslie, your two cards are wonderful. I love the cracked glass technique and so often I forget to use it. Your pink card is the sweetest with that darling ribbon and the image is one of my favorites although I don’t own it. TFS.
Oh my goodness, Leslie! These creations could not be any more exquisite! They are so gorgeous! Love the cracked glass image panel.. just beautiful.
I just love both of your beautiful cards. I love your glassy glaze with just a little crack. Your color combo’s are so soft and pleasing. TFS them both…..
Both are wonderful cards. Love the cracked glaze. tfs
Ohhhh, your cards are so pretty Leslie!
Both are Beautiful Leslie!!
These are both understated and so very elegant. So gorgeous! I can certainly see how the dainty feminine card sold on the first day!
Both sets you have used on these cards are favourites of mine and you have created two lovely cards. The glassy glaze on the masculine card is perfect. With the sponging around the edge it looks like an aged picture where the glass has cracked in the frame.
I’m glad you salvaged your pale scrap for the second card, it works so well with the muted colours of the paper.
Both of these are so soft and pretty Leslie. So one of my fav SU sets that I will never part with. You have inspired me to dust them off ( sad I know) and use them soon. :0)
They are stunning, Leslie! I love, love the gentle colors! Love the sentiment on the first card, it says everything! Love the embossed sentiment on your second card too!
Leslie: Thank you for sharing such beautiful cards and wonderful ideas. You are an inspiration to me and encourages me not to give up in my card and gift-making endeavors. I want you to know how much I appreciate these cards that you have in your card sale basket that they are mailing-friendly and simply perfect!! These are the kind that people really go for — simple, yet a touch of class! I hope you make more of these and share them with me and all the others our there who I am sure appreciate your work, too. Keep up your fantastic creativity, I do enjoy it immensely — Thank You so much for the ideas and for spurring me on!! ~Amy S.~
Both of them are just gorgeous, Leslie!! I love the images, and colors!! Your first looks lovely with the subtle cracking, and the second is so soft and beautiful!!
Both cards are equally beautiful Leslie ~ I especially like the pale colored one…I’m a fan of soft colors…but the 1st card is really different in that you cracked just the right amount on the image!!! I love it when I get my subscriptions from you…You are such an inspiration to me!! You knock me down a spot by reminding me that “simple is elegant!”
Love them both! I love how you are showing us how to make cards that use a single stamp. I tend to load mine down with too much and then they cost a fortune to send. Blah!
Such beautiful cards–and great without the bulky embellishments! I’ve been trying to stay away from anything too bumpy for mailing, so it’s nice to know your blog has such good ideas–TFS!
I just love, love that you continue to use this set and make such inspiring creations with it. Everything looks so fresh everytime you use it. Beautiful as usual!!!