Friday, August 19, 2011

Time To Celebrate!






Ever get slight twinges of angst when you realize that you have a fair swag of purchased but not often used crafting supplies?  I do.  Although I do craft often (pretty much daily) and with a variety of crafting supplies...my supply far outweighs the demand.  The fact that I have more than I probably will ever wearout or use up bothers me less than the fact that I haven't gotten around to having fun with each and every one of the delectable goodies I have diligently and lovingly amassed.  So I have set myself a task to try and use at least one either never used or hardly ever used goodie each time I make something for the next little while. Yep, that's the plan.

For this card, I used a Tim Holtz Hanging Sign Alterations Bigz die as my chosen goodie. This is a rather nifty die I must say.  It comes complete with the sign and the cool ornate watchamacallit to hang the sign from.    This card was inspired from the current Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge sketch by one of my favorite papercrafters and WMS Mischief Maker, Kelly Shirmer.  I took a not-so-small liberty with the sketch and lowered the shapely sentiment panel by constructing the sign element as this aspect of the sketch. I probably will get 50 lashes with a thread of cotton for doing this but...I thought it was a kind of cool albeit cheeky take on the sketch.  I love the wonderfully curvaceous Waltzingmouse sentiment set Say It Loud and thought it a good match for all the voluptuousness of the Tim Holtz die and the Spellbinders Gromit tag below, at least in my own lunchbox it seemed, that is.

I also had a bit of fun using some textured charcoal cardstock for the sign and the white corrugated board for the hanging thingy. Embossing on textured cardstock generally doesn't ever end well, but I was after that distressed enamelled look often seen in actual vintage signage these days (well that's my story and I am sticking to it) so I thought I'd give it a go.  That lovely blue stripey DP is from the new Authentique range of  6x6 pattern papers.  Somehow,  I think Authentique is the company formerly known as Girls Paperie and still gorgeous.  The other bits and bobs used are from my stash.

Initially I thought this card was going to be a more masculine card, but I obviously couldn't resist the lure of a rose and the pearls, so out the window that idea went.     Ah well, what can you do?   Nevermind.

Thanks so much for swinging by the blog.  I appreciate your visits so.  Have a wonderful day!  

16 comments:

Julia Aston said...

Great colors and papers - love the pretty die cuts too - thanks for playing with the WMS sketch this week!

Denise said...

Your story telling always makes me smile... I just adore it! I too have more than I could ever feasibly use and am trying to ENJOY these goodies with fervor. I keep finding more things to love and add to the stash but it makes me happy - not guilty. Anyway... I think your card is clever and you should feel free to apply creative liberty to sketches... that what makes it YOURS.

Joyce said...

Very cool card. Love the hanging swinging thingy!! Lots of interesting textures going on.

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

Fun card and I think we can't beat ourselves up over the size of our stash... it'll all be put to good use in due time.

Wendy ten Hove said...

Oh, wauw! This is gorgeous!! I love the way, you have the frame with the sentiment, hanging there, like a sign! Looks perfect!! Great colors!!
Hugs & happy day to you!
Wendy

Deborah Frings said...

I know just what you mean about supplies outweighing demand!!! :) I've been trying to make sure my neglected stamps/supplies are used.

I really like this card - it's very dramatic and I'm sure the "liberties" are fine!! I do like the hanging sign - works brilliantly! Love it!

Elena said...

love your card! I put a ban on buying more patterned paper... sigh... so much paper... I think we're all in the same boat - lol!

Clare said...

LOVE this, the hanging sign is perfect and I really like the texture! Thanks for joining us this week at the WMSC!

Tosha Leyendekker said...

Oooooo!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your hanging sign and the rich colors!! This is GORGEOUS!!

Savitri said...

What a great looking card!! I love the colors and the sign!

carol (krillsister) said...

Beautiful card. Love the colors; so soft. I also like thge texture on the sign.

Cathy Weber said...

You always crack me up with your wonderful commentary on your cardmaking process. I love that you are making yourself use some of your "unused" supplies. This is a gorgeous card, love the Waltzingmouse set you used, just got it myself and it is "unused" just yet. Very pretty take on Kelly's sketch.

Leigh Penner said...

Oh, wow, this is truly stunning!

Lorraine said...

Ooh Jen, I love this! Tim Holtz dies, distress inks...swoon...lol. Your card design and colors are gorgeous!

Jill said...

Jen, I love your creative take on this week's WMS sketch! So out-of-the-box wonderful! And gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous blues and greys! I can relate to your stash problem, LOL! Mine helps me identify with the folks on Hoarding: Buried Alive (do they have those type shows in Australia?)! But, my stash does make me happy too, so I guess it's not going anywhere, LOL! :-D

Michelle said...

Oh gosh, now I feel guilty. I have wayyyyy too much unused product. I have boxes of it actually. Was going to give away or do a giveaway...but haven't even done that yet. I will though...eventually... I love that hanging sign - - what a grand idea...never seen that before. Just such a great piece for a proclamation like a grand celebration. Love this...and the Authentique blue in there goes so well.