This card started with a very easy sketch challenge. I needed something to get my stampin' mojo moving and this was easy, once I sat down at my stamping desk and started playing with paper. It wasn't where I thought I was going, but this card had a mind of its own.
The Designer Series Paper is from the Sweet Pea Designer Pack in the Occasions Mini. I cannot tell you how much I adore Houndstooth in any color and this pink really spoke to me. It was the back side of a "scrap" and when I saw it, I knew that whatever I did would have to use this Houndstooth.
I started with a base of Rose Red, which is a color I do not ordinarily use. But I wasn't happy with the Pretty in Pink as the base and needed something darker. In fact, I actually stamped the focal image from Thoughts and Prayers FIRST before determining how the card would be put together. I used my Stampin' Write markers in Rose Red, Mellow Moss and Close to Cocoa to color the image prior to stamping. I had a scrap of Glossy paper on my desk and I just grabbed it and stamped, hoping the image would fit. It did and here it is!
The layers are Rose Red, Sweet Pea DSP, Rose Red, Sweet Pea DSP in Pretty In Pink Dots and Glossy White. The ribbon, although the color is called Rose, is just a shade off and I decided to move with it anyway. The sentiment "from the heart" is from All Holidays and is one I use often. I am fond of saying, "Hear my heart...." when I am trying to make a point and this sentiment moves me. I do not think I will ever let it go. And if I ever find one that says "hear my heart", I will own it as well. Have you seen one like this?
Incidentally, my stamping desk is a large piece of countertop that was a remnant or cast off from someone's home as they remodelled their kitchen. Thom's builder, Royce, found it and Thom added about 6 to 8" to the back of it so it would be deep enough for me and it is about 7 feet in length. It sits on two saw horses (yep, it looks crazy!) but it works so well for me. Behind me, I have short filing cabinets and I put a long piece of wood across the top to use as another desk. The filing cabinets sit at each end and the wood (about 24 inches deep) is fabulous to hold my tabletop cutter, my Big Shot, my heat gun and still have plenty of room to lay things out and stamp, emboss, or whatever. I love my make-shift desks -- testament that you don't have to have a specially built room to stamp. I am lucky in that I have a California Closet set up that was in the room prior to my taking it over. I've labelled my shelves and store my stamps in the closet, which Thom had changed to my specifications. I have so much stuff! I really need to take a weekend and just pitch and toss -- or reacquaint myself with all my treasures to see if my creativity kicks in again! Can you tell that the idea of tossing any of those items I've taken the time to choose causes me great stress? I can't toss them, but I would be willing to find them a loving new home where they could be appreciated and put to good use.
See you tomorrow! God Bless and have a fabulous day!
Tami, I love love this card..it is simple which as you know is my style. I am desperately searching the web right now for some valentines project inspiration!! HELP?!?!?!?!? If you have any ideas or know of where I can get some please let me know. I decided to set this day aside to make something great for a friend, Grandma and also Brian and it is 1:30 and I have made nothing...I am in real trouble here.
Love you so much and miss you.
Becky Clawson
Posted by: Becky Clawson | 02/10/2010 at 01:28 PM