This is the first time I have ever had to send a Sympathy card. And unfortunately this week, it is my first time, and I am also sending 2. It makes me sad that it has to be done. But I do desire to share my love with these people who have lost a loved one in their life at this time.
The first was a layout I have been wanting to try. You stamp the image(s) and then cut it into three equal segments. I used my fav. color combo right now,
Chocolate, Aqua Mist and
Vintage Cream all from
Papertrey Ink. They are so pretty they could definitely (and probably have been) wedding colors.
Click on her name to check out her blog. I really love her design style. Plus she has stamping tips after each post and something fun to share. I quite enjoy checking in with her regularly. Also, she has great stamp sets. That is obvious!!
The sentiment I used was from
Birds of a Feather also by Papertrey and inked the edges with some chalk ink.
The second one was a bit more simple as I was using up the scraps of the same paper. This time though I pulled out these new stamps I just HAD to try out. I love the design of them and that they are big enough to do scrap book pages... if I ever actually did them.
The are called
French Quarter by
Inque Boutique. I bought them at the
Purple Turtle. They are just so lovely I couldn't resist! The flower top is actually a stamp from
Birds of a Feather. I thought they went together well enough. I wanted to do different colors and the bud on the French Quarter was a little small as the focal point, so I switched it. Also I stamped the corner image on the base card with Aqua Mist ink and then stamped over it with the Creamy Brown Chalk Ink to help bring it out a bit. If you have never tried Chalk Ink, you have not lived! Go out and get some today!!! I love the richness of the colors. And they are a dream to use. I also inked the edges of the Vintage Cream with the Creamy Brown. Chalk inks are great for this and it gives the card such warmth. I also used my new slot punch from SU! It's been a fun addition to my crafting supplies.
After I finished these up, I really struggled with what to write inside them. I wish so much that these weren't going out, but I hope they can feel the love and thought that went into them.
Thanks for stopping by.
k
Deets Card 1: All are PTI unless noted
Stamps: Natures Silhouettes, Birds of a Feather (sentiment)
Ink: Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, Sweet Blush, Dark Chocolate, Creamy Brown Chalk Ink (Color Box)
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Aqua Mist, Vintage Cream
Accessories: Dark Chocolate Ribbon, Gold Brad, Dimentionals, Slot Punch (SU!)
Deets Card 2:
Stamps: French Quarter (Inque Boutique), Birds of a Feather (sentiment, flower top; PTI)
Ink: Berry Sorbet, Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate (PTI) Creamy Brown and Bisque Chalk Ink (Color Box), Old Olive (SU!)
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Aqua Mist, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Accessories: Dark Chocolate Ribbon (PTI), Slot Punch (SU!)
The first was a layout I have been wanting to try. You stamp the image(s) and then cut it into three equal segments. I used my fav. color combo right now, Chocolate, Aqua Mist and Vintage Cream all from Papertrey Ink. They are so pretty they could definitely (and probably have been) wedding colors.
Since I have been home from Utah I have been racking my brain for an idea of what to do for my sisters and mom to say thank you for such a great birthday party. They gave me all the love I needed on a not-so-fun day. Translation: I was feeling old and was wallowing...bad. They gave me just the right pick-me-up and now I am 31 with no emotional scars (well, not big ones anyway).
They were really fun (and did I say Easy?) to make and I picked paper I thought went with their personalities so I got to think a lot about the wonderful family I have. The only bummer is the pictures weren't that great. A bit fuzzy, poorly cropped (by me) and why is the picture on the wall behind us crooked??? Who knows. But I figure they can put whatever pictures they like in it when I'm not looking : )
to deciding what I wanted to order, so I waited till this month to pick it up. Its all OWLS! It's called Wise Owl. Very cute and so usable since the parts come separately. 
I have wanted to buy lace-up cards for quite a while but the ones at the store are SO lame and VERY expensive (for what they are). So I set out to make my own. I had this great vintage-y paper by K&Company called Kazoo Kids. It is actually a Scrap Pad which comes with double sided paper PLUS embellishments, trim, letters and other nifty stuff. So I cut some shapes out of leftover cardboard, slapped some patterned paper and trim on them and punched some holes around the edges. I was thinking they would get me by in church, but when I looked at the finished product, I really LOVED Them!!! I think its the paper that just makes them work so well. 
I also picked up some colorful shoelaces at my local 99 cent store to make them that much more fun. I am toying with the idea of some Mod Podge to give it a finish so the paper doesn't rip, and maybe stamping the name of the shape, but not in a cheezy sort of way. But obviously I have yet to do that. The prototype still needs some finessing. What do you think?
I ran an image of flowers and vines all around the circumference of the plate. Another thing I learned is when you are choosing an image, make sure it is very bold without a lot of detail. In hindsight, my flower and vines were not a good choice. Too much room for error. 
Then I masked the top of the plate with tape and applied the paste with a brush. I also learned that the more you put on the deeper it etches. Also, if you want to try this yourself, you really should rub the paste around constantly and in every direction. When you understand the paste is actually scratching the glass (which I do now) you want even and full coverage or it gets splotchy. 
Then you wait the allotted time. The bottle of paste said 5 min. The tutorial said around 20. I don't think you actually have to wait 20 min. but if you do, rubbing it the whole time would be a good thing. Then you are assured to get the best coverage. Rinse your plate in warm water and pat dry. As it dries, the etching will start to show up. My mom and I thought it didn't work since we couldn't see the etching through the water. This is normal and it will show up as it dries.
Here's my final plate. You can see some splotchiness and rough details throughout. Overall, not the best looking, but I learned a lot and can't wait to try it again. Patrick said he liked it, but that it didn't look good enough to actually serve food on. I agree. I left it at my mom's house since it didn't fit in my bag (or did it?). I guess we will see if she ever uses it. Next time I go, if it hasn't left the cupboard, I might have to use it for shooting practice.
