Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Heartfeltgreetings Sketch



Okay, if you've been with me on this blog any amount of time, you've either heard me say, or you've noticed yourself, I am not big into patterned paper. For me, it's a scary thing! When I see someone who can work magic with patterns, I pay attention, hoping to learn a thing or two. And Amy Westerman is one of those magicians. She's got it goin' on! So when she recently brought back her Super Sketch Sunday feature, which is a sketch challenge with patterned paper requirements, it looked like just the thing for me. She gives a sketch and shows exactly where each pattern goes. I can do that, right?

This, my first attempt, is made from this past Sunday's sketch, which calls for FOUR different papers. I'm calling this my "crawl before you walk" card. I didn't take the #1 easy route, which would have been to pull out a pack of one of Stampin' Up's designer paper series and its coordinating set. But I took the #2 easy route, which was to pull from another manufacturer's kit. These papers all come from SEI's Dill Blossom pack, so naturally they already coordinate. Where I often stumble when using patterned papers is picking out a stamp that will coordinate, but I think I did okay here :)

A couple of notes on the card: The flowers and stems are colored over with a clear Spica. It makes for a very subtle sparkle in real life, but it's a bit too subtle for this amateur photographer to pick up with the camera. I very lightly sponged all of my edges with Close to Cocoa using a sponge dauber. The sentiment (by Verve Visual) is stamped in Old Olive on a piece of Really Rust and punched out with Stampin' Up's Key Tag punch. It's hard to see in the photo, but it says, "You inspire Me." [Tip: The stamped image panel is raised up on foam tape. For larger pieces, I like to use tape more than SU dimensionals because it has much less "give." Sometimes with the dimensionals, unless you put them really close, the larger panels start to bend and sink in places.]

And now, for the really cool part: the SEI paper came in my box o' goodies that Northridge Media sent me after they published two of my cards in the May issue of Cards magazine. Submit your work, girls (and guys) - if I can do it, so can you!!

Last, Amy, if you see this - thanks for the inspiration. I'm so happy with my card!



Stamps: Live Your Dream (SU!); Thoughtful Florals (Verve Visual)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, SEI Dill Blossom
Ink: Old Olive, Really Rust, Summer Sun
Accessories: antique brass jumbo eyelets, sponge daubers, wide olive grosgrain, key tag punch, clear Spica glitter pen, foam tape

25 comments:

Julia Aston said...

You should be happy with this card!! - this doesn't look like a card from a person who shys away from DP!!! this is beautiful Amy!! love those papers and your stamp is colored so well! well done!

Tammy said...

WOW!! This is absolutely beautiful!! Love the colors!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful card Amy! You worked a little pattern paper magic of your own :)
Cyndi

Nancy Riley said...

Amy, this is absolutely gorgeous!!! It looks as though you are a PRO with patterned paper (you don't fool me!). LOL!

Anonymous said...

I just LOVE this card and the colors you chose! Thanks for the site with patterned paper sketches.I not only found creative inspiration there, but spiritual inspiration as well!
Jill W.

Michelle Tech said...

Wow, the colors you chose on this card are absolutely beautiful! I love the darker colors on the flower!

jjcreations said...

Very nice card...I like the mixture of papers you used. Thanks for the "reminder" "suggestion" of submitting to magazines. I suppose I should be brave enough. Joan

June Houck said...

You have mastered use of patterned paper.
I love the warmth of the apricot appeal...that would be a lovely paint color for a craft room IMO.
BTW...I love your cards...I had them at the Leesburg store by 8:45 this morning:)

Jackie Pedro said...

Gorgeous!! Your combination of patterns is fantastic!!

Dawn Easton said...

Oh my Amy!! This is gorgeous! I haven't attempted this one yet...four Designer Papers scared me a little too...hehe! Although I use them as a crutch. I don't often make a card without a LITTLE DP ;)
These papers are wonderful together!! GREAT card!

Anonymous said...

OMG! Your card is awesome!!! I LOVE SEI DILL BLOSSOM! You did great for being so "scared" of patterened paper,hee hee!

Lisa T. said...

This is lovely. Everything goes very nicely together and I love the large rivets. Beautiful.

Denise ~ Paper Ponderings said...

Wow...this is a super card! I love it!

Sears Family said...

thanks for your inspiration! I went ahead and tried the challenge myself! I LOVE mixing DP so it was right up my alley!

Pam Speidel said...

YOU GO GIRL! You totally rocked this challenge! Love your creation!
Smiles,Pam :)

Amy said...

Hi Amy! I arrived safely in Fairfax this afternoon, and am now happily esconsed (?) on my SIL's screened porch blogging! There is a water fall pond in their backyard, so I am uber relaxed right now as I blog to the sound of trickling water! You did a GREAT job on your SSS card Amy! You have no reason to be scared to use paper anymore, you are a pro!!!! Yippee! It's absolutely beautiful. You should be proud of yourself for giving it a try. I ended up leaving Minneapolis without taking a picture of my Apricot Appeal card, so I'll have to post it when I return next week. But I just wanted you to know I DID keep up with my end of the challenge, just like you. Way to go!

Hugs to you across the miles,
Amy

Kathleen said...

I really LIKE this card!! You did great on it~I feel the same way about patterned paper---perhaps I should try out her challenge! This is lovely~

Anonymous said...

I think the card is beautiful

smallcity

LeAnne said...

This is absolutely beautiful! I think you did a wonderful job with the papers & the image....just gorgeous!
LeAnne

Anonymous said...

You are crazy, girl! You are a whiz at patterned paper..silly!! This is super pretty!

Anonymous said...

Amy, this card is beautiful and I love the colors. You did a great job, don't be scared of the DP girl, you have conquered it!

Tracy said...

so pretty - had to check out that challenge cos you did such a spectacular job... in my favorites now!

Jessie/knightrone said...

For someone who is challenged by patterned paper, you did an amazing job with this!! Just Beautiful!!

Laura (scrapnextras) said...

This is just fabulous Amy! I love your paper choices and your awesome embellishments and the tabbed sentiment! Fab job!

Carolina said...

What a WOW card - love the paper combo and the jumbo eyelets are such a nice touch. Just beautiful!