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)