Thursday, August 23, 2012

Agapanthus in Green ... and You're Special

I spent quite a bit of time in the art studio today ... makes me happy :)  I made two cards that are completely different.  I like so many styles of card, that I can't just make one - variety is the spice of life, right??!! :)

The first card is for two challenges:  SCS Sketch Challenge (SC399) and CASology #7 (Green).  I'm a little obsessed with the white-on-white layering and having a hard time doing anything else :)  I love the look of this style of card ... and paired up with two shades of green, it makes for a clean and fresh looking card.  Hope you like.

"Agapanthus in Green"


Stamps:  Agapanthus Long (Stampendous); En Francais and Pocket Silhouettes (SU!)
Paper:  Whisper White (SU!); Heavy white cardstock (Neenah)
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss (retired), Old Olive (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), small oval punch, adhesives and dimensionals



I cut two card fronts from the heavy white cardstock, layered them on top of each other, and ran them through the Big Shot, cutting out the smallest square.  I put aside one layer and ran the other through again, this time centering the next larger square nestie over the cut-out.  I adhered my two card fronts together with the smaller cut-out at the back.

I inked the En Francais background stamp with Kiwi Kiss, stamped off once onto scrap paper, and then stamped onto a Whisper White card front.  I inked the Agapanthus stamp with Old Olive and stamped on top of the background.  I placed the stamped card front in behind the cut-out until I was happy with the placement, trimmed the stamped piece to approx. 3" square and then mounted it to a heavy white card base.  I mounted the layered, cut-out card fronts on top, popping them up with dimensionals to add depth.

I stamped the sentiment in Old Olive ink onto Whisper White cardstock, punched with the small oval and mounted onto the card front.

I stamped the Agapanthus flowers on the inside panel for interest.

____________________

The second card is a fun scene I created using die-cuts and punches with just the sentiment stamped.  This is for two more challenges:  Color Throwdown (CTD206 - Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink and Tempting Turquoise) ... and ... SCS Way's To Use It Challenge (WT389 - head in the clouds).  I did manage to use all four colors for the Color Throwdown ... you'll see that the pink is the teeny, tiny centers of the flowers.  Hope you like.

"You're Special"


Stamp:  Sentiment Sampler (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  Heavy White (Neenah); Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise polka-dot, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery (SU!)
Ink:  Early Espresso, Certainly Celery (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Picket Fence die (Poppy Stamps), Puffy Clouds die (Memory Box), Olive Branch die (C.C. Designs); Nestabilities Label 10 die (Spellbinders), Mini sun punch (Punch Bunch), sponge, mini pink half-pearls, mat, stylus, glue, adhesives, and dimensionals



Cut a card front from heavy white cardstock and ran it through the Big Shot, cutting out the three clouds (negative).  Adhered the Tempting Turquoise polka-dot paper to the back of the card front.

Die cut three of each size of Puffy Clouds from the heavy white cardstock.  Used the Stampin' Write marker to add "stitches" around one of each size of cloud and then glued the same-sized layers together with the stitched cloud on top.

Die cut three of the picket fences from heavy white cardstock and glued them together.  Die cut two of the Olive Branches from Certainly Celery cardstock and wove them through the picket fence, adding small dabs of glue to secure.

Punched out several mini suns from Cameo Coral cardstock and shaped them with my mat and stylus.  Added a mini pink half pearl to the center of each blossom and glued onto the olive branch dies.

Sponged a piece of Whisper White cardstock with Certainly Celery ink and then cut it out with the Labels 10 die (to create a "hill").

Stamped the sentiment in Early Espresso ink and then mounted all the dies into the card front, popping up the stitched clouds and picket fence with dimensionals to add depth.

Mounted the card front onto a card base of heavy white cardstock.  Added a strip of Tempting Turquoise polka-dot paper to the top of the inside panel (1 1/4" wide) and mounted one large "stitched" cloud die off to one side and slightly off the polka-dot paper.


25 comments:

Ardyth said...

Wow! Both are beauties! Love the double embossed frame for your green card - lots of texture without making it busy or crowded! Thanks for playing along with CASology this week!

Bonnie said...

That double window card is awesome, Loll! I love the cool crisp simplicity of it. And the fence with the pretty flowers is just as beautiful. I love that you do a variety of cards! So inspiring!

Tracey McNeely said...

Your window card for CASology is really beautiful. I love your images. Thank you so much for joining us this week at CASolgy!

Darnell said...

My fave is the white-on-white-super-clean-and crisp-"sparkler"-flower-through-the-window card. Drool.

Kim said...

I love your clouds, and your pretty little white fence with the flowers growing on it!! This is a great card for both challenges.

Mynn xx said...

Such fabulous cards!!! LOVE the simplicity and elegance of the first one, but your second darling card with the fabulous clouds really made me smile! LOVE them!!! :)

Jacynthe said...

Love those little flowers on the fence! Awesome detail!!

denmo said...

Superb cards! love the variety - adore CAS!! Thanks for sharing...hugs..Denise

shirley-bee said...

I love the white on white frame, it's so elegant, and I love the two shades of green stamping for depth. That picket fence card is so pretty. There's so much detail to it but it's still a clean design. Love 'em both!

Karen M said...

I really love both your cards - they are stunning, hugs x x

Susan said...

I'm in love with your first card! I love the double layered frame! I will have to try that. And I would never have thought of stamping the agapanthus (which I have) in green - it looks great against the text background.

And I love the way you did the vine of flowers on your picket fence in the second card.

Broni said...

Both are very pretty cards! I love the whimsy of the second one! Thanks so much for joining us this week at the Color Throwdown.

Caggy said...

Love the first card, might have to have a go at the double frame technique, thanks for the inspiration! Caggy x

Patrice said...

Great cards - I hope you'll link up at 52 Card Pickup again this week!

http://www.oldbackporch.com/2012/08/52-card-pickup-week-34.html

Carole said...

Most excellent. Love the deeply embossed frame, the simplicity and style.Sensational:)
http://carolescreativecritters.blogspot.com/

Rosemary said...

beautiful cards... love your CASology card!! thanks for playing along with us at CASology!

Tania said...

I just LOVE the Your Special card, simply beautiful!

Melissa said...

White on white is ALWAYS good in my book! So clean!! Love what you've done with it on your friend card! That little window is wonderful! You're second card is gorgeous! Love those dainty little flowers on the fence!!! Thanks for joining us at CASology this week! :)

Pam Sparks said...

Gorgeous Loll... love the scene too! fab cloud creating and fence, flowers and grass too! Wonderful cards!

Monique said...

I love both of your cards, but the green one is a winner for me!!

Wanda Cullen said...

Loll, I so love your card-making style! LOVE green, so the simple, clean design of the first card is a fave! Then I love that you combined the negative cloud die cut with popping the shape - genius! This is such a fabulous summer card! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Color Throwdown again!

Jenni's Jems said...

Two brilliant cards but oh my the green one is just a stunner !! x

Deanna said...

The double frame is just fabulous! love the design very clean and beautiful:)

nancy littrell said...

Wow Loll.....2 absolutely beautiful and creative cards. TFS your cards and your descriptions.

Joan Ervin said...

I love both your cards, Loll...you have such a beautiful style!!! The embossed frame on the first card is lovely and what an adorable design on the second!!!! Thanks for joining us for the Color Throwdown!!!!