Sunday, March 27, 2011

Birthday Hydrangeas

When I first set out to craft this birthday card, I was absolutely positively without a doubt going to use patterned paper.  I was pretty sure I was finally going to break into my stash of Love Letters Designer Series Paper but as I was searching through my stamp sets, I spied the gorgeous hydrangea from the Because I Care hostess set, and my carefully laid DSP plans scattered to the wind....


The trickiest thing about this card for me was trying to figure out where to put the sentiment. My Top Note die is a recent acquisition that I've only used a handful of times so far (sacrilege! Believe me, I know >.<).  As such,  I didn't think ahead to how I'd plan the space. I originally planned to fit in a ribbon, border punch strip, and sentiment all towards the bottom of the card, and I kinda lost track of how much room i'd have >.<  Catty-cornering the sentiment up at the top makes it feel like an honest to goodness "birthday banner" which I think i'm ok with =) I also gave it a bit of lift in the center to give it a smidge of movement and dimension.

This ribbon treatment was a new one for me.  Normally this striped grosgrain is a delicious 1 1/4" thick, but if you cut it down the middle, you're left with a neat little strip that lends itself to fringing by pulling strands out from the cut edge.  I want to play with this technique just a bit more to see how I can get the fringe to be a bit more "crumpled" and "fringey" looking but for a first attempt, I really like the way this turned out!  And, this technique effectively doubles the amount of ribbon you have, so it's a triple word score bonus!

Other techniques used on this card include sponging around the edges of the top note with Sahara Sand ink, and it's hard to tell from the photo, but the black background layer has been run through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.

Maybe my next card will give me the opportunity to cut into my Love Letter DSP?  It's kinda funny how all the planning and forethought in the world can be so easily cast aside when inspiration takes over.


DETAILS - Products are available for purchase from me  at Stampin' Up

Stamps: Because I Care, Something to Celebrate
Paper: Basic Black, Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla
Ink: Perfect Plum, Pear Pizzazz, Sahara Sand (around edges)
Accessories: Basic Black 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain, Antique Brads, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Top Note Die, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder

14 comments:

  1. Michele this card is so beautiful. Ok now will you answer a question for me about it. How do you get that ribbon to scrunch up like that on your card? I have seen many cards with this technique on it and I have been trying to figure out what everyone is doing and cannot. Would you mind sharing?

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  2. Hi Stacy! Thanks so much for your kind words =D What I did was lay down a piece of sticky strip (or other adhesive that's really sticky) across my cardstock. Take the ribbon and pinch it, then stick it down to the tape. Repeat over and over all the way across the tape, working from left to right. You can also put a little bit of a twist to each pinch to make it look "scrunchier" if that makes sense =) Hope this helps!

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  3. Beautiful card. Love the colors and I love that bottom layer you did on the top note. Really adds a lot to the card. TFS

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  4. This is a beautiful card, Michey! I just have to say, I really enjoy reading your blog - love the way you write :). And you did a great job with your blog design - beautiful and simple. I'll be a frequent visitor for sure! Thank you also for your wonderful comment on my card!

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  5. Very pretty card, Michey! Your ribbon treatment is so creative...love it!

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  6. Beautiful card, Love the stamp set. Great Job with the ribbon and layout. :)

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  7. Michey these is a gorgeous card. I love the ribbon treatment, hadn't seen that before. I also love the elegant flow of the card. Perfect.

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  8. beatiful card Michey!! Lovin the ribbon! TFS Hugz n blessings.

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  9. Wise choice to go with the hydrangea. Your card is lovely and I like what you did with the ribbon.

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  10. Michey,

    Thanks for posting such a kind comment on my blog. Have you been able to attend any events by Stampin' Up!? It was awesome. I posted some new photos today.

    BTW, you have an awesome blog and I am following you now.

    Be Blessed,

    Shannon Willis
    www.shannonscropstop.blogspot.com

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  11. Just love what you did with the ribbon.
    Great looking card

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  12. Beautiful card and I love the ribbon technique. I will have to give it a try. TFS.
    www.carriesscrapyard.com

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  13. I love your card - it is really pretty. Your blog is great too! I am now following you from SC. I am number 61.

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  14. Absolutely gorgeous, Michey! The sentiment banner looks fantastic and I just love the ribbon treatment. I really like how everything just pops off that black background. Very pretty! :)

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