As much as I've really enjoyed the last challenges we've done, this week's had me totally stumped. I looked at the picture quite a few times, hoping it would spark something. No luck. All I could think was linear and masculine, but I had nothing beyond that point. Here is the inspiration piece in question.
And then, last morning, I had a flash for which colors to use and the rest came together really fast. Now, as you will see, my colours are all over the place, since they combined three different In Colours families as well as a current neutral. It is really too bad the In Colours don't get added to SU!'s current colours as we go along, but the new and old colors can be paired together so beautiful. Look for yourself:
So aside from the colour, I picked from the picture the linear design, the straight lines of various heights and the pillow at the top. So what I did was stamp the trees from Trendy Trees (a very fun, inexpensive set that you should really take a closer look at if you don't already own it) in a row and cut the panel out as a rectangle, then triple-matted it. To create my background, I used paper strips of various widths (perfect for those paper scraps, by the way!) and added a ribbon and a row of piercing on top for texture. For the pillows, I chose one of the Canvas Cuts I've been using so much of and stamped a sentiment from the hostess set Holiday Best (Expressions festives). Doesn't it look great? I love sentiments that use different fonts altogether. I stamped the same sentiment again on a Vanilla die-cut that happened to be the exact same shape as the Canvas Cuts, but smaller, and layered it on top of the first die-cut, and finished it off with a mini library clip. Then added two matching buttons at the end of the paper strips, matted the background and added it to my card base.
TIP: Don't have the right color floss to thread your button? Use your paper cutter to cut a very narrow strip of paper and thread it through your buttons holes. Fast, easy and inexpensive!
Card dimensions: 6½ x 3-1/4 in. (sized to slip into the small open-end envelopes)
I honestly cannot wait to see what the other design team girls have put together after seeing the picture this week! I wonder if they found it easier than I did to find inspiration...
Supplies
Stamps: Trendy Trees, Holiday Best (hostess)
Papers: Holiday Harmony, Walk in the Park, Urban Garden
Cardstock: Soft Suede, Basic Black, Baja Breeze, River Rock, Kiwi Kiss
Inks: Soft Suede, Basic Black, Baja Breeze, River Rock, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Soft Suede ribbon, Bouquet of Buttons, paper piercer and mat pack,
mini library clip, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, Canvas Cuts, tag die-cuts
WOW!!! What a beautiful card Cindy!! I found these colours a challenge too!!
But you have done an amazing job!!!
Have a great week!
Amy xxx
Posted by: amy Fleming | July 24, 2009 at 03:00
Love your card Cindy!! Everyone has made some real beauties this week! Love yours to bits!
karen
x
Posted by: Karen Thomas | July 24, 2009 at 03:10
Very very earthy Cindy! I love it! You have captured the inspiration beautifully. Well done
Kirsty
Posted by: Kirsty Brown | July 24, 2009 at 03:58
I love your card! It's gorgeous.
Posted by: Melissa Barkwith | July 24, 2009 at 04:00
C'est une de mes cartes préférées! WOW! Tout est beau et bien balancé dans ta carte! Le combo couleurs est très joli aussi!
Bravo!
Posted by: Marika Lemay | July 24, 2009 at 06:40
great card, Cindy! 11 more days until convention!!! I'm going to call you this weekend...
Posted by: brandi | July 24, 2009 at 09:42
FANTASTIC design, Cindy! I love everything about it! So many fun elements that work so very well together!
Posted by: Nancy Riley | July 24, 2009 at 10:16
Love your card, Cindy! Love the stamping on Kraft, love the layout, love your choice of colours!!!
Posted by: Renée | July 24, 2009 at 10:39
I love how you have stamped these trees on Kraft--great take on the challenge!
Posted by: LeAnne | July 24, 2009 at 15:52
I love your card, Cindy. I have this stamp set too and I love it. I also like how you decorated your envelope. It makes for a nice finish. Lovely!
CC
Posted by: CeeCee | July 24, 2009 at 21:16
Wow! Gorgeous card, Cindy!! So perfect for that challenge! Thanks for the cardstock thread tip, I forget about that!!
Posted by: Angie Tieman | July 24, 2009 at 21:47
Just beautiful Cindy..... I love everything about your card, the buttons, the trees, the colour combo and the greeting at the top... Just fabulous!! Thanks so much for your inspired creation this week! Love Keesh x
Posted by: Makeesha Byl | July 24, 2009 at 22:27
Cindy
What a great card.
Colleen
Posted by: Colleen | September 06, 2009 at 13:35