Embrace Patterned Papers

When I was going back through the older posts, I kind of couldn't believe that I hadn't focused on pattern paper. I was sure I had (maybe I did but missed it...) Anyway, if it is a repeat, it's because it's that much of a staple in CAS stamping! Patterned paper can stand alone with a bit of ribbon and a sentiment (as Monday's card showcased), it can also be added as a form of an embellishment. Sometimes it simply gives you a starting point. A certain combination of patterns, images, or colours can be just the right source of inspiration to get that creative mind going! That's actually what happened with this card. I LOVE the Haiku paper (so much so that it may very well be a pack that I purchase again, which is quite the rarity for me!). I love the repeated patterns and the fresh combination of colours. I grabbed a piece of paper, and used the colours as my starting point- Tangerine and Saffron. Throw in a bit of white and you've got a sharp colour combination! To really make the silhouettes pop I embossed them with white and added a white rub-on sentiment. The card base is made from textured white cardstock.

Supplies:

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Haiku, Tangerine, Saffron, White

Accessories, etc.: white EP, ribbon

Ten Minute Monday

This card is quite possibly one of the fastest cards ever. When I started it, I wasn't even planning for it to be such a quick card. But once I got that beautiful paper on the chocolate card base, I just didn't want to cover it up! Instead, I accented the corners with brown brads, tied a bit of matching ribbon on, and then applied a chocolate rub-on. I quite like how it turned out. It could be used for all sorts of congratulatory events. I thought it would be especially good as a masculine congratulations. Supplies: Paper: Haiku, Chocolate Chip Accessories, etc.: Hidden Garden Rub-on, Chocolate Brads, Ribbon

FTL 16

I really like Natasha's layout - it is a quick, basic layout but you can do so much with it. I love the Fall so I wanted to use some Fall colors - blue for the crisp , clear sky, oranges and yellows for the flowers and some brown mixed in. I layered some felt flowers that I bought last year at PTI and have been neglected for so long! I put them together with some fall brads that I found at the Target $1 Spot. I chose the Happy Birthday sentiment from PaperTrey's Birthday sentiments set - I think this font is perfect for a clean and simple card. I matted the main panel with brown Prism cardstock to match the sentiment color. Once I decided what I was going to do it took less than 10 minutes to make it! Supplies: Stamps - PaperTrey Ink; Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa; Paper - DCWV, PTI Stampers Select, Prism; Misc - Felt flowers, brads, glue dots

Layout #16

I've been doing this online scrapbook class and this week's topic is repetition. Perhaps that is what inspired me to pull out this layout! It's such a great way to bring a card together, simply by repeating 3 of the same thing! Here's my card, I was in the mood for something cheerful and vibrant. I went with a mix of Summer Sunrise and Pure Poppy on the ladybug bodies. The touch of black really pops the colour nicely.

Supplies: Stamps & Paper from PTI (Little Lady)

This is the last one!

When I used this design most recently, I made 4 different versions. I promise, this is the last one. It's funny, even though they are all the same design, they all have very different looks. That's actually what this post is about- focus on the flowers! By changing the type of flower and the colours you use you can really alter the look of any card! Here I went with an almost Spring theme, since I chose light pink, purple, and olive. The great thing about flowers is how easy it is to achieve different looks. You could make clusters, watercolour the images, do some masking. I suppose you can do these things with any images really, but I find flowers are always so inspiring! There's SO many options out there it's crazy. It's also one of those themes where you can already own several flower sets, but a new one will catch your eye, because just like flowers, floral stamp sets off something new and unique with each design!