Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Love Notes, Leaves, and A Lark.


I really enjoyed making this card for so many reasons beyond the obvious feathery (my fave) motivations.  I enjoyed  using this Sizzix Bigz Die of a bird for the first time (of course, of course), but I also thoroughly enjoyed using this Papertrey Ink Mat Stack Die, as I tend to have little to no success with it generally.  I just find it, personally, to be a hard shape to use.  All I seem to see is bookplate, bookmark...boring, boring, boring.  But this time, I saw a lovely window frame, perhaps somewhere in the Mediterranean if I let my thoughts go. I was so excited to finally get some use out of this die, particularly seeing how frenzied I was to get a hold of it in the first place.  Afterall, I have seen it used so often by so many other crafters with much success, I was starting to feel a hint of buyer's remorse simply because it wasn't getting any real play with me.  I also seem to have accumulated a fair few leaf dies as well and generally just cut my leaves out by hand.  I know, I know,  that pretty much defeats the purpose of having such nifty tools.

This card is, in fact, a Valentine's Day card in disguise.  I make and sell my cards at many of the local markets and festivals around the joint and if I am really kidding myself by pretending to be a shrewd businesswoman (which I am so not), I try to make cards that I can use after holidays like Valentine's Day if they don't sell.  Mind you, I still haven't figured out how to repurpose Christmas cards yet, but I am working on it. Thinking.  Thinking.

Love Notes, Leaves, and A Lark Card: 


  • Stamps:  Papertrey Ink Favor It Weddings, Tattered Angels Screen Prints Rockin' Renaissance, Hero Arts Screen Print and Friend Definition Cling
  • Paper:  Papertrey Ink Sweet Blush, Vintage Cream, and Stamper's Select White,  7 Gypsies Conservatory Pattern Paper (love), Handmade Japanese Silk Paper (pink), and various scraps of handmade paper from my stash (origins forgotten...sorry, I clearly don't eat enough fish), Chipboard .22 weight
  • Ink:  Distress Ink in Broken China, Pumice, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Brick Red,  Marigold, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain, Memento Sweet Plum and London Fog, Versafine Vintage Sepia
  • Accessories:  Tim Holtz Tattered Leaves Die and Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Tattered Rose and Bronze Distress Stickles, Sizzix Bigz Bird Die, Papertrey Ink Mat Stack 3 Die (yay!), Sullivan's 3" Tags Punch (smallest of the three), Jute, and Basic Grey Brad



Thanks for flying by for a visit.  It's been lovely.  x

11 comments:

Stephanie said...

Jen.....This is so, so pretty! I love that bird die! It's so awesome as the focal image! You do so well with this vintage style!

Heather Rogers said...

This is so pretty. I love the altered art look. I especially love the bird. :)

Cathy Weber said...

What a smart businesswoman you are! You can totally use this card for any time of year. There you go using birds again. I can tell you really love them. Beautiful card, shabby and chic.

Monica K. said...

Very pretty card, Jen! I love all the layers and the embossing on the bird. And that's smart to repurpose the cards for later although I'm surprised you would have any cards that wouldn't sell. You do beautiful work!

Jacquel said...

Oh my! This is truly beautiful Jen!!! I love everything about it & your style is timeless & so elegant! TFS!!!

Kim O'Connell said...

Oooooooh weeeee, girlfriend! This is fantastic! Shabby chic and just so artsy! You are wonderfully talented at pulling all these colors, elements, layers, and patterns together!

Margaret M said...

Jen..I looked at your card this morning and just went WOW! I've been wondering about this mat stack too. I finally got it but I didn't want the stamp set..you have given me a great idea of how to use it!

Terri said...

Great job! I love all the different elements but especially your use of the Mat Stack die.

Trees said...

This is GORGEOUS! All the tiny stamped details, the pretty colors, the glitter and the bird in from of the "window". Its perfect. I especially love the colors you used. Soft, yet still colorful.

Lorraine said...

Oh, this is gorgeous! I love all the different elements you used and the colors! oh and welcome to the PTI Post-Its! Looking forward to seeing all your future creations!

Chris said...

This is beautiful! I love the colors and all the elements!