Tuesday, February 1, 2011

A Few More Valentines

Here are another two fairly quick Valentines' cards I made.  Both totally different.

Paper: PTI Kraft cardstock, Neenah Solar White Ink: Walnut Stain Distress  Ink, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers
Stamps: Hero Arts, Unity
Other: Gems (Recollections)

The background is stamped in Walnut Stain using the gorgeous Envelope Pattern stamp from Hero Arts! I stamped the Unity flower image seperately and coloured it in with Copics.  Finally, just a few gems which I received from Kelly a Flickr friend, just recently!

I wonder how many crafters out there experience this same feeling when it comes to adding embellishments to their cards?  I see beautiful cards on various blogs where they use gems and pearls in the most perfect manner, for example Joy's card here.  And another example is Jennifer McGuire's card HERE.  How do they know where to put the pearls?  And is there a guideline of whether you should mix the size of the pearls?  It's just that when I try to recreate a similar card, and I add my pearls as in this case, to me they just look odd almost, maybe out of place.  It actually takes a lot of courage for me to finally stick the pearls down and say well, that's it, whether it's right or wrong, that's where the pearls are going!  It's really freaky for a person to dissect their card making this way, I know!

Here is my second card.


Paper: PTI Cardstock, Making Memories Patterned Paper, Neenah Solar White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Heavenly Blue (CTMH), Pumice Stone & Walnut Stain Distress Inks
Stamps: Purple Onion Designs
Other: Gems (Hero Arts), Dimensional Adhesive

My dilema in making this card was that beautiful patterned paper with the birds on from Making Memories!  I had a hard time covering it up which is why I eventually decided to put the centre panel on a slant so that  you could at least see some of that adorable paper!

Another simple design.  I adhered the patterned paper to the card base.  The centre panel was made by stamping the "branch" and the sentiment from the "A Little Bird" set from Purple Onion Designs directly onto the panel.  I then inked and distressed the edges of the panel.  The birdcage and birds were stamped seperately and then adhered with dimensional adhesive to appear to be hanging from the branch.  I find this set really cute, just great that they provide two seperate little birds facing in opposite direction!

Well, I may try and craft some more later today, maybe look at the current challenge over at Wee Memories and also put some thought into the super new challenge posted HERE on the Hero Arts Blog!

Wishing you all an awesome Tuesday!

6 comments:

Virginia L. said...

Beautiful--both of them! I don't have a guideline for putting gems or pearls...it all depends on the feel of the card, my mood or the theme of the cards. Just play with them...you know the BEST as you are the one that CREATE it :)

Dawn T said...

your cards are both just lovely Brenda. I like how you put your pearls on both cards. Like Virginia says... just put them where you think they look best.

walchowDesign said...

Awww! You have the new envelope stamp! It's on my list and love the tulips as the centrepiece!

Jacqueline said...

You have used the pearls beautifully on your first card. I love the background envelope stamp - gives a beautiful effect and fills up the card!
Thanks for your visit to my blog and your heart warming feedback, so, so appreciated Brenda!

Michelle said...

Adorable Valentine cards! I just love the envelope bg stamp!! Beautiful tulips!
Love is in the air is way too cute!!! :):)

Sherry Czarnecki www.amusestudiostamps.com said...

Super Sweet Valentines! I always say the more bling, the better!