Saturday, February 5, 2011

Live, Laugh & Love for my dad

OK, well, it's been another crazy week around here. My cold either came back after I thought I was over it, or I caught another one, and we had two days of snow... needless to say, not much stamping was going on. But I'm happy to be hosting the challenge at Our Creative Corner this weekend! My challenge for you is to use a tree image on a clean and simple (CAS) card. I hope you'll come play along!

I didn't plan it this way, but this challenge worked out really well for making a birthday card for my dad, whose birthday is today. (Happy birthday, Dad!) The colors are from the Color Throwdown: Early Espresso, Bashful Blue, Crumb Cake, and So Saffron. I took the tree image from Plant Hope and stamped it several times (first and second generation) with espresso ink, then sponged the edges. Behind it I used a panel of Bashful Blue DP (also sponged) and a saffron card base 5 1/4" square. To get the texture I actually stamped on the card base with the same paper towel I'd done my sponging with. I added a tab made with the modern label punch and a blue button (retired) tied with dark brown embroidery thread.

Last came the sentiment from On Your Birthday. I really wanted a label-style shape for this sentiment, but nothing I had was the right size. So I went into My Digital Studio, created a designer label punch in the size I wanted, printed it out, and cut it out by hand. Now the sentiment fits perfectly - and you can get any size shape you want using this method. To outline the edges I added some faux stitching before putting it all together on the card.

Be sure you go check out the creations from our fabulous team - we have such an inspiring group of artists and I know you'll enjoy seeing their work. Then please share your own card with us - we love to see what you create!

8 comments:

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Great work on the challenge this week, Lori! I love the colors you used on your card and kraft plus Lovely as a Tree are always winners in my book! Sorry to hear you have been sick again. Hope you are feeling better now and will have a great weekend!

Wendy J. said...

Lori, fun challenge, thank you! Your card is a wonderful masculine birthday card. I love the calm serene colors and the papers you used! I love stripes if you didn't already guess. Hope you get feeling better for good real soon!

Sarah Gough said...

This was such a fun challenge, thanks Lori! Weren't those gorgeous colours to work with? Hope you feel better soon!

Vicki Burdick said...

I have been admiring this card all week, so pretty and serene! I love your button treatemnt!

Jennifer Rzasa said...

Lori, I can sympathize with you- I've been feeling sick for over a week! Let's hope we get better soon :)

I love your card for this challenge- the colors are just perfect, and I think your Dad will love it. Happy Birthday to him!

Kristin said...

Great challenge Lori! It's so hard for me to do a CAS type card, thanks for the challenge. Your trees are really wonderful, your dad should love it. Get well soon!

dpkennedy said...

This is very simple and elegant! Lovely card! Thanks for playing the Color Throwdown!

Diane Gilbert said...

Lori this was a great challenge, LOVED it, thanks so much!! Your card is a great Birthday card, love the layout and the colors! Hope your feeling better soon!