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Monday, August 29, 2011

WMSC#62:Sewing Box Hugs

I am so excited to share this card today.  I received a little advice from my very sweet and talented friend, Renee who makes beautiful cards with Waltzingmouse stamps.  She has been Top Mouse 3 times so far and the Big Cheese once or maybe even twice (I've lost count, it's so often!).  I had asked Renee to honestly tell me how to make my cards better.  I wanted her to be brutal, and not to worry about hurting my feelings.  Her advice was to SLOW DOWN, take my time as I design and create a card.  She advised me to think, think and think some more.  She ran me through her design process and I was determined to give her suggestions a try.  The result is this card.   I thought about it all day Sat. and I chose the stamp set I wanted to use.  That was as far as I got on the first day.  The second day, I chose the patterned papers and roughly laid out the card the way I pictured it in my mind.  Today, I finished assembling the card.  Three days is a long time for me to work on a card.  I have to admit I really enjoyed the "process" so much more.  I ended up changing the card around several times, altered the card shape, changed the color of the doily and even had some help from my son and his wife choosing the ribbon and button color.  I had fun making this card.  This is one I am really proud of and can not wait to send it to the recipient.  So, now that I have told you this very long story, here is the card I made using the Waltzingmouse Sketch #62 designed by Anya Schrier.


I made a card with a tag using Waltzingmouse Stamps Sewing Box Hugs.  
Sewing Box Hugs

This is a large card, 5 1/2" square.  Much bigger than my usual cards, but with an extra large tag, it just had to be big.  I chose some patterned papers by My Minds Eye (Home, Glitter). and smokey shadow and rustic cream cardstock for the tag.  I impressed the cream tag with a woodgrain impression plate for texture.  I die cut a doily and sponged it with tea dye for a little aging.  The main images from Sewing Box Hugs were stamped onto some gingham paper I made using aqua mist ink.  This stamp set looks SO GREAT stamped on gingham.  I cut three double ended banners for the little sentiments and added a few flowers, also from Sewing Box Hugs.  For a little frill, I added some lace and pearls to the tag as well as to the centers of the main images.  The absolute last thing I did was tie a little bow using some wrinkled ribbon.  This is the part where my son and daughter-in-law helped me choose between aqua mist ribbon or vintage cream ribbon.  Vintage Cream won out in the end.  I'm not sure if this is the best card ever made, but it sure was the best card I have made in a while.  Thanks for sticking with me on this very long post!

15 comments:

Judy said...

This card is gorgeous! I love everything about it. The key is to slow down and really think about it... That is great advice I will try it also... Great job.
Have a wonderful day.
Judy

Joyce said...

What a beautiful card. I can see why you are so happy with it. Three days is a long time to spend on a card-- would be a record for me, but this is a winner, for sure. Very vintage and pretty.

Renee said...

It's GORGEOUS!!
Absolutely gorgeous...
I love it and can see why you do too!
The papers...
the lace and pearls (sigh)...
those stamped images on gingham...
I die! :)
I love, love, love it...
I truly do!
Now...
to take my own advice...
*giggle*

Kelly S. said...

Oh so beautiful, Cathy! I just love how you used the sketch combined with Sewing Box Hugs! That birdie gets me everytime. I am so happy to hear that you love your own creation, too. That's the best feeling when you make a card that makes yourself happy. I struggle with it all of the time myself! My other big challenge? I have GOT to figure out how to make my photos as good as all of yours!

Karin Åkesdotter said...

Just WONDERFUL! Love the colors and all the beautiful details!

Jessica Wekenman said...

Cathy, your card is absolutely gorgeous! Your pp's are beautiful and your design is just perfect! That stamp set and their winter one like that one, have always been on my radar! I love their stamps, but spend every free dime I get at PTI! Maybe one day I'll place an order! Oh, and I've always loved your cards, I don't think you need any help at all! :)

Jen Adcock said...

Very lovely Cathy, as always. I found reading your thoughts on your process or rather new take on your process to be rather interesting. When I saw this card I was instantly smitten of course, but looked at it more as if you had a new "hairdo" or color, and one that absolutely suits you. Mind you, I loved your other metaphorical "hairdo" too, so to speak. What's the saying...change is as good as a holiday? I do think it is wonderful to take an oppotunity to try something different from time to time to see how it fits, but as my grandma used to always say...If it aint' broken don't fix it. ;-)

Sometimes when I take an extended amount of time with a card, I end up getting a tad overwhelmed. I often need to put a limit on how long I dwell or I personally run the risk of overworking the project, which is a very Jen thing to do. I think there is something I can learn from your experiment for sure.

I too love that you also love your card. I can easily see why as it is just so well made and skillful attention has been paid to every glorious detail which is and has always been, your custom. You've got crazy skills Cathy...and don't you ever forget that! xx

Julia Aston said...

This is LOVELY Cathy! the colors, the papers, great job with the WMS sketch!

Kara said...

beautiful card!!

Jen Carter said...

This is really pretty Cathy! Love those colors and the woodgrain on the tag! What a fun way to use the banners too!

Jen Cuthbertson said...

What a pretty card, Cathy! I love all of the lacy touches and that pearl border! You're right - those Hugs stamps are perfect for stamping on patterned papers! Thanks for joining us at WMSC this week!

Amy Kolling said...

Oh Cathy......what is this? This is BEAUTIFUL in every sense! Your take on the sketch is phenomenal and I love your paper choices so much. That Renee, she's such a sweet person! :) Glad you have a friend to give you honest feedback! Looks like she did good as this is fantastic!!

Thelma said...

Cathy, this is really lovely and I'm intrigued by the slowing down process. I already loved what you do anyway. Thelma

Deborah Frings said...

I really like this card - so very pretty. Lovely backing papers, pretty doily, great lace ribbon and pearls - just lovely!

anya said...

Cathy, I love this. The papers you chose to work with are beautiful, but I am smitten with your tag! The way you've lined up the sentiment and the flowers just adds to much interested! A favorite for sure! So glad you could play along with our WMSC for this week!