Eternal Perfect Love

Hello!

I hope you have been having a great week so far!

Today's card uses this week's Mojo Monday sketch, and one of my favorite sentiments...

If you didn't know already, I simply ♥ this embossing folder, and you can get such a different look by doing what I did here - use the "debossed" side of the cardstock.  And that sentiment... isn't it just lovely?  I thought it deserved to be center-stage, with the beautiful flourish from the Elements of Style stamp set accenting it.  (To lighten the stamped flourish, I inked up my stamp in More Mustard, then stamped onto scratch paper before stamping on my cardstock.)

Another thing I am really loving right now is the Music Notes wheel.  Such a gorgeous accent on the left side there... can you tell I love how this card came out?  LOL

My dear friend Barb asked how I go about making a card.  Well, sometimes it is really just easier for me to start with a sketch... yes, I admit that sketches are your friend!  Some people may believe that sketches are too stifling.  Now see, this is where I think your creativity can really shine.  As you work with a sketch, you may decide you want something in a different place, etc.  Or, as I do very often, you can follow a sketch very literally.  Sketches can be very time-saving (and sanity-saving, hehe)... I encourage you to give one a try!

Here are some of my favorite sketch websites:

• Stamping 411
• Mojo Monday
• Stampin' Addicts sketch challenges
• Pals Paper Arts (they switch between sketch, color and inspiration challenges)

Sometimes I also will convert a scrapbook page sketch into a card.  PageMaps is a great sketch site that is updated monthly (Becky Fleck creates sketches for layouts as well as cards).

If you find yourself struggling with a color combo, I encourage you to check out one of my favorite challenge sites:

• colourQ
• Stampin' Celebration
• Stampin' Addicts color challenges

I know there are tons more, but these are ones that I try and keep tabs on, and feed into my Google Reader.

And sometimes I just go back and forth and change my color choices a lot while creating something.  It even helps to just walk away sometimes (sorry, I use this word a lot, apparently!), and come back later with a fresh(er) eye.  There are times when I, too, get a little frustrated with where my project is going, or just don't have any creative mojo.  When this happens, I may surf blogs and galleries for inspiration, or just play with some new products.

I am by no means an expert, but I hope that helps somewhat.  If not, feel free to ask more. :)  I love to help!

Well, thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a great rest of the day!

Eternal Perfect Love card supplies:

Stamps:  Elements of Style, Occasional Quotes (Level 3 hostess set)

Ink:  More Mustard, VersaMark ink, Jet Black StazOn

Paper:  Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Perfect Plum, and Very Vanilla cardstock, Love Letter Designer Series Paper

Accessories/Tools:  Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Folder, Music Notes Wheel, Very Vanilla 1/2" Seam Binding, Crumb Cake Designer Buttons, Decorative Label Punch, Scallop Edge Border Punch, needle, sewing machine and black thread