CASEing myself

We all probably find ourselves using an idea we like over and over sometimes...


This sympathy card is based on the poppy card I made for the last Llama Blog Hop. I used different brads and punches for this one, and rotated the sketch.   I like the card with these punches, but I think I preferred the previous layout.   What do you think?

Stamps:  En Francais, Petite Pairs

Colors:  Poppy Parade & Pear Pizzazz, retiring soon

Punches:  Lace Ribbon Border (on sale while supplies last), Fancy Flower, Boho Blossoms, Curly Label

Embellishment:  Neutral Flower Brad, retiring soon.

I wondered how the Freinds Never Fade card I made last week would work with a new color combination.  I ended up using Wisteria Wonder with So Saffon and Melon Mambo.

This time I used the soon-to-retire Eyelet border punch and some Basic Jewels Pearls instead of ribbon.   I also colored the center of the flower with Stampin' Pastels - I love them for quick subtle color so I'm sad to see them on the retirement list as well.   Hoping for fun new products to take their place!

Interested to know which versions are YOUR favorites!

Lean on Paisley

This is a variation of a sympathy card I created for a friend who recently lost a close furry friend.   

I don't have a toile stamp, but wanted to create that type of a background, so I used the images from Paisley Petals on a 4" x 5 1/4" white cardfront.    I made the black band across the center of the card using the Adorning Accents Edgelit die and coordinating embossing folder on a 2 3/4" x 5 1/2" strip of Basic Black cardstock.   I found that cutting the strip of CS to size first really helped to keep the final edges from being crooked.    I have Lean on Me in clearmount, so I've cut the sentiments apart from the images; easy to use them separately or together that way.  To be sure that the sentiment and frame stamps were aligned,  I stamped the sentiment first, then used the Decorative Label punch, and finally, placed the Four Frames stamp face-up on the table and pressed the punched shape down onto the inked stamp.   I have not got the hang of the Stamp-a-ma-Jig, so this alternate method worked for me.  I thought just 2 little Basic Jewels rhinestones made the card prettier without detracting from the fact that it's a sympathy card... what do you think?   The punched sentiment is attached with dimensionals.   I forgot to take a pic of the inside - I'll add that later.