Variations on a Theme

I started with this design here matching three very different patterns of the same color scheme with coordinating ribbon and ink.

The torn piece adds texture and the subtle inking around the sentiment piece helps the layer pop. I repeated the design for other color schemes and then came across the paper for the card below.

The deep aqua blue and circle design on the paper reminded me of scuba diving. So, I pulled out my Heidi Grace stamp set and layered the ribbon with the paper pieces. "by the seaside" is not only stamped but also heat embossed so the letters are glossy and slightly raised. Almost looks like water made the letters.

These were so much fun to make.

Waste not, want not for great card ideas

Papercrafting breeds scraps. Lots and lots of scraps. In the middle of assembling this card, I looked around at the scraps and designed and made another before going back to finish this one.

I started with the ribbon. It's this luxurious, satiny chocolate chip color from Stampin' Up. The Silhouette software at the time I made these did not have a gingerbread image I was happy with. So I manipulated a clip art pic using Microsoft Paint and cut out lots of gingerbread girls and boys from a matching brown using the Silhouette. I merged the letters for the "sweet" cut out and also cut out a coordinating offset for the "sweet" background. The star is also cut out.

Assembling the gingerbread trees was no picnic. If I were to do this again, I would merge the images to get one solid gingerpeople tree. Like a practiced procrastinator, my eyes and mind started to wander. I looked at the sheets of paper with gingerbread people-shaped holes all over. They looked like cookie sheets!

Well, now I had to stop what I was doing immediately and work on this new project. I reformatted the images I was cutting for the first card to get what you see here on the "scraps". Picked a new ribbon color and coordinating red paper and ink for stamping for the heart. In less time than it took me to plan out the first card, the second card is done!

Two great designs and less to throw away.

Of course, you can save so many scraps that you have a box full of one-off scraps you save "just in case". Don't let the little ideas keep you from great ones. Every now and again, scrap the scraps and start a new box.

Back in the Game

It's been almost two and half years since my last post. We lost Louis, the inspiration for the Kitty Kards logo, earlier this year. But a house is not a home and KittyKards is not the same without kitties in the house. We picked up Titus and Ptolemy from a shelter in Quincy, MA, before moving to MD in August. My husband drew this picture of the little guys using the draw feature in MS Word. It's a card waiting to happen.

The big reason I have not done any posts is my job and the traveling involved. I have done the occassional creative project, but I couldn't finish anything. Until now.

My new craft room in MD is all set up and ready to go. I cut out these vinyl pieces tonight using my Silhouette. The words are from a font created using my handwriting. The whole thing takes up a 2' x 3' space on the wall.

I plan to post something every night this week along with cards and pages onto Etsy.

I am excited to share my ideas again!