Monday, January 21, 2008

Ballard Inspired



I forgot to tell you that my crafting workspace is featured on the cover of the January 2008 Ballard Designs catalog (see below). Yep, that's my workspace ... in my dreams! Seriously, I love the "look," and wanted to see if I could re-create it on a card. I love how this came out!

The swirly green background was created with a stamp from Artifacts (retired Stampin' Up). I used a stamp positioner to line everything up. Side note: I LOVE my stamp positioner! I never understood how it worked until I had the pleasure to watch another demonstrator use one to finish up swaps for a leadership conference a couple of years ago. I must be a visual learner. If you've never used one, take a look at this tutorial by Kristina Werner. It's the next best thing to watching someone in person.

[Edited to Add: I didn't realize the link to Kristina's tutorial didn't go to her blog. Her blog, www.kwernerdesign.com/blog, is one of those must-sees that will rise to the top of your list right away. She is amazing!]

Back to the card ... the black embossed medallion-type main image is from a retired set called Mostly Flowers. The two bands of ribbon are a scrumptious velvet ... not sure you can see that very well in the photo. It adds an unbelievably rich and textured feel to the card. I wish I could say for sure who makes it, maybe May Arts. I got it at my local Recollections. Gotta say, I wish I'd bought the whole spool. It's that delish.

Stamps: Artifacts, Mostly Flowers (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Certainly Celery, Versamark (Stampin' Up)
Paper: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: decorative metal brad (Making Memories); black velvet ribbon (May Arts maybe?); ticket corner punch, dimensionals, black embossing powder, paper piercer (Stampin Up)

16 comments:

Silke Ledlow said...

WOW!!! Amy this is stunning....

You also got me on the *Your Workspace* I was WOW how lucky is she...until I continued reading -
that this is your dream room...LOL!!

But I absolutely love what you have done with your card!!!

Sandra Smart said...

Too funny. You had me actually believing you there for a minute! Yes, we would all love that workspace! But, no matter where you created this card, it is just beautiful!

Shannan Teubner said...

This is beautiful!! I love that catalog...sigh.

Melissa said...

This is awesome!

M.

Carolyn King said...

What a beautiful card...and workspace. Love the cool design!

Angel said...

Very Cool!!!

Alhambra Club said...

LOL I believed you and was so impressed, then I read on, LOL. Must say not enough shelfes to hold all the goodies though. Love your card, great interpretation of the photo.

Susie said...

Oh this is so totally elegant and gorgeous.

Stampin_Melissa said...

Your card is incredible! I love the elegant feel to it, TFS!

Arcticstamper said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Arcticstamper said...

This is beautiful, and elegant.
I can see how it could be inspired from the picture. Perspective is an amazing thing!
-Darleia

Tracy said...

ooo - now that is a most elegant card!

Lastel said...

Awesome card , love it and what a cool pic to get the inspiration from !

Anonymous said...

Great card and excellent tutorial! She mentions in it that it was a tutorial request from her blog. Do you know where to find her blog? I'd be interested in checking it out too. Thanks!

Unknown said...

love the card - JUST got the fancy corners in yesterday along with some super cool little square stamps so i am anxious to put them to use!

Stampin_Melissa said...

Amy, I have your post tagged in my Google Reader, I needed to make a wedding card and came to your post and knew this was my inspiration! Thank you for sharing with us, specifically me! Please feel free to see what I did with your inspiration.

http://stampinmelissa.blogspot.com/2008/03/river-rock-wedding.html