One Big Meaning and a Very Special Blog Post

by | posted in: Cards, Thank You | 20

A Very Special Blog Post

Today’s blog post is a verrrrry special one!  I told you a few months ago that I’d have some exciting news to share with you.  Well now I can finally share it!  I’ve been absolutely busting to let you know … I’m a Crazy Crafter!!!!!!!  Yep, I’ve joined Kylie Bertucci’s amazing team and I can’t be more happy!!! Can you tell?  I’m absolutely ecstatic about joining this team.  Kylie is an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING leader, and I am so excited for the future of GaGa Papercrafts.

KBs Int SU Blog Highlight

So today’s card is special too, as it’s the first one I’ve posted since joining the Crazy Crafters AND it’s being highlighted on Kylie’s blog along with some amazing projects from other Crazy Crafters as well as other talented crafters from around the world!  Woo hoo!  All the fun happens from 6 pm AEDT tonight, so make sure you have a look at all the amazing inspiration on Kylie’s blog and vote for your favourites.  The theme for today is “thank you”.  I made this card for my beautiful daughter Sam who helped tirelessly during our house move recently.


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One Big Meaning

The sentiment comes from the One Big Meaning stamp set.  I masked off the words above the thanks and embossed it in black.  I did a watercolour wash over the sentiment and then stamped the splats from the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set.


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Framing it Up

I paired some DSPs to frame the sentiment.  The green paper comes from the Cherry on Top stack and the black and white striped paper comes from the Neutrals stack.  Behind that some Basic Black cardstock to finish it off.  The smaller rounded rectangle framelit from the PL Cards and Labels framelits was used to cut the centre from the DSPs.  This is one of my favourite framelit sets as it’s so versatile; definitely not just for scrapbooking!


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I hope you get some inspiration from today’s card.  If you have any questions, please feel free to post a comment or email me at [email protected]  I’d love to hear from you!  Thanks for stopping by today.

XOXO Gail

 

 

 

Masculine Valentine Card for GDP022

by | posted in: Cards, Masculine, Valentine | 6

Sketch Challenge

With tomorrow being Valentine’s Day and a sketch challenge on over at Global Design Project this week, I thought I’d put together a Valentine’s card, but one that could be given to a guy – no flowers, no “feminine” colours, but still expressing love.  I think it’s still sweet and lovely (but don’t tell him that … shhhh).

Here’s this week’s sketch. Click on the image to head over and see all the fabulous inspiration from the design team and entrants, or to submit an entry of your own.

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And here’s my interpretation:

Masculine Valentine Card

Something Old, Something New

I set out to create a card with a bold design and when I was looking through my stamp sets the wavy line and dotted line images from the Sunburst Sayings set made me think of Australian Aboriginal art.  So I began with the band across the top layer.  I wanted a bold sentiment for the front as well and after searching through my collection decided on the “you & me” image from the Perfect Pennants set.  Embossed in clear over Early Espresso it is strong and bold – just perfect!

Non-traditional Valentine Colours

Usually the first colours that spring to mind when you think of Valentine’s cards are red and pink.  Well I made a conscious decision to not include red or pink on this card (or flowers either!).  I love the pairing of Mint Macaron and Early Espresso and teamed with Sahara Sand I think they work very well.

Masculine Valentine Card

Theme

The wavy lines and dots were carried through in the use of the dotted DSP (from the Neutrals DSP Stack) which I trimmed with the wavy blade on my Stampin’ Trimmer and the dots around the sentiment.  These were pierced using the Updated Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack and then accented with a Stampin’ Chalk marker.  A few hearts from the Itty Bitty Accents Epoxy Stickers pack, backed with Mint Macaron cardstock provided the finishing touch.

Using Layers as a Design Element

Adding layers with differently sized borders can be utilised to add interest without “cluttering” a card with embellishments.  Used deliberately here, I wanted to highlight the colours on this card without overwhelming the other elements.  I think I succeeded.  What do you think?

XOXO Gail