15 February 2008

TJ One-on-One

Have you had one of those cards that just came together and you just loved and didn't want to give it away? This card is one of those for me. I really like the Opalite Color Infusion from the TJ newsletter. (It was the technique I used for DH's Valentine card after all!)

I did the technique layer for my One-on-One partner the same time I did DH's Valentine's card. Then I turned to CardMaps for inspiration for the layout. The designer paper is from DCWV The Once upon A Time mat stack. I used the SU corner rounder for the scallop edge, it gave me a better scallop for this size then the slit punch, plus it allowed me to scallop the edge without having to add the strip after scalloping due to the way it punches. So all that came together BUT (LOL) it was missing something. I glanced over at all the bottles holding my Primas, but they were all too small. That's when I seriously looked at the Minnie Can. I took one of the large flowers and started searching through my SU buttons and found a match. I used some mini glue dots (love those things!) and attached the flower to the card, then the button to the flower.

Ta-dah!
I have seen cards where they have some embellishment hanging over the edge of the card and I always thought "that looks nice, but how would they mail it out? I'd never do that." Well, here I go hanging the flower over the edges. I had to mail it to my partner, (okay, a brief thought of keeping it and making her another card but I quickly brushed the thought aside.) I put it in a 6x9 manila envelope and folded the flap end over at the point just before the flower tips. I sealed it up. That helped (I hope) protect the card in its travel through the USPS system. So it did cost a little more, but well worth it so long as it gets to it's recipient in good shape. Here's to hope that she likes it! *clinking glasses* ;)

I would like to add, I am seeing myself producing better cards when I use sketches. I believe that taking out that part of the challenge in creating a card allows me to focus more on other aspects of card making, such as the technique, embellishments or coloring. I feel less overwhelmed in creating a card without directly CASEing. I hope that makes sense!

Stamps: Sketches; Ink: Staz-On Black, Garden Green, Summer Sun, Apricot Appeal, More Mustard, Plus a few more I can't remember, OPALITE: Winter Rust & Arctic Emerald; Paper: Garden Green, Whisper White, DCWV Once upon A Time; Accessories: SU Corner Rounder, sponges, SU Button & Prima Minnie Can, Eire Collection 2.