Tuesday, October 12, 2010

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:
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:
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

4 comments:

  1. That is really beautiful, Melissa. I really appreciated your telling how you do your work. IT is always helpful for me to see what starts people into their designs. Thanks!!

    Don't blame you for loving that embossing. It sure is one of my favorites!!

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  2. This is just beautiful, I adore your take on this sketch!

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  3. This is lovely. I like how you've turned around the embossed image. It makes a different impact.

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  4. One of my favorites in the challenge. Nice work!

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