Saturday, March 14, 2009

Floral Symphony in Gold



It feels like spring. Warmer temperatures, the smell of new mulch, birds chirping in the early morning, bulbs nudging their way out of the earth .... I love the rebirth and renewal of the season. I had a brief respite from deadlines these last couple of days, and used the opportunity to take a break from stamping. I know it's only been two days since my last post, but seriously, it feels like two weeks. Normally, even if I'm not posting, I'm still busy making things. This time, I I took a break and rejuvenated by doing some other things that feed my soul but I don't make time for as much as I should. Like playing the piano for one. I have a beautiful baby grand piano in my living room that is little more than a piece of furniture these days. My Rachmaninoff ended up a cacophony of crashing bass notes thanks to my curious toddler's wandering fingers, and my Chopin (yes, I love the romantics) was ousted by "I Scream for Ice Cream" thanks to my five-year-old. But that's okay. I played, and it felt good.

On to today's card ... Lots of aspects of this card are out of my norm, but I like the final result. The card was really built around the Que Sera Sera designer papers by K&Co. I picked up an 8x8 pack at Michael's quite a few weeks ago, and until now have had zero luck working with them. They're beautiful papers, don't get me wrong - I just haven't been able to make them work. Last week, I saw my blog friend Gretchen use one of the patterns on this beautiful card she made, and I was determined to get the pack back out and beat it into submission. The whole gold thing came about from the gold cord. I had fussed with some wide olive ribbon for a while before giving up and changing to something more narrow. A lot more narrow. Once the gold cord was on there, I decided to try heat embossing the image in gold, Jerri Kay-style. Then I couldn't get stopped. Gold embossed edges on the different panels, gold brads, flattened gold bead caps (jewelry making supply) on the buttons. I hope it doesn't look overdone or gaudy. You know, your own eyes start to play tricks on you after a while! The floral image is from Verve's new Floral Symphony, and the sentiment is from Fluttering By, also by Verve.

The layout is Jen del Muro's awesome Sketch For You To Try this week. Stop by her blog, i{heart}2stamp to see the sketch, Jen's sample, and guest designer Jenn Dierks's sample. Then show some love to the other SFYTT sisters: Amy Rohl, Carole Burrage, Kelly Lunceford, and Susan Liles. When you're ready to play along, go back to i{heart}2stamp and use Mr. Linky to add yourself to the list of participants. If you upload to SCS, remember to use keyword: SFYTT.

I also made this for today's Inspiration Challenge on SCS, which was to choose anything from Fitz and Floyd. I like to shop while looking for inspiration and hit the jackpot with the Bellacara collection. I've been thinking lately how nice it would be to get some new dinnerware, and this is SOOOOO me! My kitchen, breakfast room, and dining room are all done in these exact colors. I'll have to tuck this info away for "someday," and in the meantime be satisfied with making a card.

Last (sorry I'm chatty today), if you haven't been keeping up with the daily happenings at Our Daily Bread Designs, stop by the ODBD blog and catch up. Each day, a few members of the design team are posting projects and tutorials, plus there's new blog candy every day. It's all part of the one-year anniversary celebration. On stage today are Jane Wetzel and Judy Rozema. The show continues tomorrow and Monday, then on Tuesday, we will be doing a blog hop to showcase a most amazing pair of anniversary stamp sets. I can't wait for you to see what Kelley has put together to commemorate her first year in business!




Stamps: Floral Symphony and Fluttering By (Verve Stamps)
Paper: SU Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Ruby Red; K&Co Que Sera Sera dp
Ink: Encore Gold Metallic, SU Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Darice bead caps; SU Ruby Red buttons, brads, gold cord; Spellbinders Labels 1 Nestabilities and tag die; BossKut Vintage Tag die, #0834; Mark Richards bling; sparkly gold embossing powder (unknown); Copic markers (YR16, E09, YG95, G99); Martha Stewart border punch; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder; foam adhesive

35 comments:

Amy Rohl said...

Absolutely gold gorgeousness, Amy! Love the cheery colors and the brads are so perfect!

Happy for you that you got a chance to sit and play a bit. I'm a pianist as well and most of my playing is done to prepare for my church music!

Have a great weekend!

Silke Ledlow said...

PURE GORGEOUSNESS - AMY!!! Love the colors and the added gold!!!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh....what a stunning beauty this is! Such fabulous details!!!
I'm happy you got a little "you" time, even if it was limited. It IS hard to come by these days, isn't it?

Denise Marzec said...

Ohhhhh, I'm LOVIN' that K&Company paper!!...the colors are amazing!! Funny...when I see gold embossing, I call it "Jerri Kay Style" too. GORGEOUS card!!

Dawn Easton said...

Get out! You play piano too?! Girl you are so multi talented!! I love it!

This card is absolutely gorgeous Amy! Seriously, all that gold is amazing and the gold edges are to die for!! Love that idea and it is something I've never tried! You are full of inspiration and ideas...I love it!!!

Enjoy your weekend!!

Michelle said...

This is beautiful....love the gold embossing!! I'm so jealous that you have a baby grand!! I used to play.....eons ago....& we don't even have room for a piano in our house, but oh how I hope my boys want to take lessons some day!

Renée said...

This is gorgeous, Amy! Love the colours, love the gold. Love all the brads too!

Sounds like you've had a nice break. Totally relaxing!

Danielle said...

Beautiful card Amy - the respite obviously did you wonders! It's so good to feed your soul with other creative outlets and there is nothing better than some beautiful classical music played on the paino! So you're back tho' - I've missed your postings! :)
Hugs, Danielle

Anonymous said...

gorgeous!!

Kelly Lunceford said...

This is so beautiful! I have been wondering how these images would look embossed and here you have done it! Gorgeous! I can't wait to try it now!

zcdl said...

Absolutely gorgeousness !! :)

Anonymous said...

Totally awesome card, Amy. Really love those colors on there and all that gold is fantastic. Like how you have used the bead caps on your buttons too. Neat idea. Glad you enjoyed your piano playing too, good for the soul. My sister plays but I dont. Have a great weekend. Phyllis M.

Sonya said...

Beautiful and intricate! I love Jerri's style also, and love to see it done in other's styles and ways!

Anonymous said...

This is a beautiful card. I love all of the gold accents. Great job!!

Jasmine said...

I love your Blog, Amy!

I am sending you the award Scrapzine Tag.

You can visit my Blog in order to receive it.

douceursartisanalesjasmine.blogspot.com

Continue your beautiful work!

Carol Q said...

I think this is beautiful. lots of lovely detail to look at and so cheerful.

Chriss Blagrave said...

As Silke said, PURE GORGEOUSNESS. Wonderful colours. Love the gold embossed edges. Bravo!

June Houck said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I LOVE all the gold. It was so nice seeing you tonight. Let's get together again soon :)

Tosha Leyendekker said...

This is gorgeous Amy!! Glad you kept at that paper. Remember, we rule the paper, it does not rule us....*grin* seriously, I love the bold elegance of this card! Looks like it's Amy-1, Paper-0

Unknown said...

When I opened the feed, I knew I was in for a treat!
This is amazing. It reminds me an Inca temple. The richness of the gold I suppose. I love it.
Viv xx

Unknown said...

OH MY amy this is absolutely wonderful - i am SO copying the gold embossing idea! i have some things coming up that this would be perfect for *giggle*

glad you took some time for yourself - we'll have to get pezzy to do some of her dramatic piano playing for you next time you are here!

it was SO good to see you last night!!!!!!!!!! gotta do more of that!

Kathy Jones said...

Wait a minute - you're a crazy talented cardmaker.....and you play piano TOO!!! OMGOSH!!!! Is there no end to your talent??? This card is amazing and I love all the gold, the paper is fabulous, love the little scallop edge and the bottom and what a fabulous die cut for the image --- GORGEOUS!!!!

Judy Rozema said...

TOTALLY amazing -- I so love the colors on this! We should have done a duet at CHA.....we could have accompanied Kelley's singing.....LOL

Anonymous said...

It's stunning Amy! I love the colors, the paper, those fabulous buttons are incredible, and all those gold brads, you're amazing girl!

Unknown said...

b-e-a-utiful!

{{{hugs}}}
mercy

Monika/Buzsy said...

Beautiful card. Love the great colors and the brads. TFS!

Unknown said...

love it love it love it!!

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

This is gorgeous Amy!!! Love the gold, the brads, and the yummy paper!!!

Conniecrafter said...

Beautiful colors and so love the effect of the gold embossing and brads with it!

Jeanne Forsyth said...

I just love your card - the colors are beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Oh my holy goodness, I could stare at this all day. The colors and how you put everything together, simply stunning. Wow are you ever good at inspiring me!! =)

Lynda Benden said...

WOW Amy, this is absolutely GORGEOUS! I LOVE the gold and the orange, so beautiful!

Vianna said...

I really like the idea of flatened gold beads on the buttons - something I must try; all your cards are truly an inspiration.

Cheri said...

Pretty! Orange is such a cheerful color!

Desire Fourie said...

Amy, this is just gorgeous. Love the rich colours on this. Hugs from Desire