vellum-the paper plunge #17

hi tracey, momma, friends old and new!

some times life just throws you terrible, rotten, no good, very bad lemons.  this is the week that life threw them at me.  i lost my dog in the most unfortunate of circumstances. tonight i am finally able to get through an hour without crying.   in my great sadness, i wasn't sure that i would get a card up, however, when i sat down, i found such comfort in something so insignificant as a piece of vellum.

i went back to my roots of vellum butterflies for this weeks paper plunge challenge.  just sitting in the quiet, coloring and glittering these little fellas gave me a silly sense of peace.  for that, i am truly grateful for the distraction.

 here is what i created...

it is too bad that my photography is so awful...it's difficult to see how sparkly they are!  mom, you would love these in person!

stamp set:  papillon potpourri, painted petals

ink:  stazon black

paper:  black, whisper white, pacific point, vellum cs

extras:  lovely lace embossing folder, rhinestones, blendabilities, dazzling diamonds

i also decided to enter this card at cas(e) this sketch #107.  here was my inspiration...

i don't know the author, but i've read, "sometimes, crying is the only way your eyes speak when your mouth can't explain how broken your heart is".  

thank you for stopping by-

i appreciate you.

until next time,

peace be with you

butterfly-the paper plunge #16

hi tracey, momma, friends old and new!

it's a quick card today...and not my usual style!  the paper plunge challenges you this week to create a card using die cuts or framelits.  i decided to use the new butterfly framelits out of the new occasions catalog.  i would have bet the farm that stampin' up! was going to create a delicate die cut such as this...and let me tell you...the coordinating stamp set-butterfly basics-is beautiful!  those who know me know i am a butterfly nut!  sorry monica...i love me some butterflies!

anyhoo...here is what i came up with:

stamp set:  sale-a-bration's simply wonderful

ink:  black memento

cardstock:  calypso coral, black, whisper white, birthday bash specialty dsp

other stuff:  rhinestones, polka dot ef, butterflies framelits

this is a very simple card to make...and a bit out of my usual 'fussy' box...

the british novelist, amelia barr, once said, "it is always the simple that produces the marvelous."  this very simple card is for a very marvelous friend...who is truly one of the most thoughtful, kindest and generous ladies i know.  i hope she likes it.

thank you for stopping by...i appreciate you.

until next time...peace be with you.

leslie

by the tide...the paper plunge #15

hi tracey, momma, friends old and new!

happy new year to all of you who may be stopping by today!  well, technically, it's january 2nd since it is 1:23 in the a.m...gah!

today's paper plunge challenge is a sketch created by robbie, the resident my digital studio expert.  here is the sketch and my interpretation...

the copying inspiration for the card came from an amazingly talented gal, melissa cochran.  she is the designer of the porthole- looking all rusty and such.  the first time i saw this nautical theme, i knew i had to give it a try.  for my first time, i'm thrilled.  still need to work on the color...i just hope i did her proud!  you can find melissa at crazy paper freak.  she is truly an artist and has such a way with color and technique...i am in awe.

stamps:  by the tide, butterfly basics, gorgeous grunge

ink:  stazon black, cajun craze, smoky slate, crumb cake, island indigo, bermuda bay

cardstock:  early espresso, cajun craze, bermuda bay, whisper white, adventure bound dsp

extras:  sponges, sponge daubers, blendabilites markers, twine, deco label framelits, circle framelits, brads, dazzling diamonds, jewel basic rhinestones

i always try to leave you with a quote and i searched for one on copying someone else...most are very negative-telling me to find my own swag.  i almost gave up and felt ridiculous for not being a totally original creator tonight, until i remembered this:  as teachers, we always tell our students to use mentor texts when they write, mentor illustrators when the draw...why shouldn't i take my own advice? 

yohji yamamoto, the world famous fashion designer once said, "start copying what you love.  copy copy copy copy.  at the end of the copy you will find yourself."  i truly appreciate anyone who is willing to put their work out there for the world to see...to be inspiring to people like me.

it is my hope, that i have inspired you.

thank you for stopping by-i appreciate you.

peace be with you,

leslie