Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator - Coldwater, Michigan - KatheD@gmail.com

Friday, April 29, 2016

adventures that were more work than expected

I've been working on custom thank you cards for a friend who organizes and flies in kite events.  I was really excited when I received this stamp set for attending OnStage Local last year - it's perfect! The request was to include a beach scene, if possible, and Amanda did all the thinking for me with her card.  My watercoloring skills, even with an Aquapainter, are not strong, so I decided on sponging.  That meant masking, including the little kite flier.  That was a bit more work, but much better results for my skill level.

I didn't want a square card, since those require extra postage, so I borrowed Peg's framed layout.  I planned to emboss the frame, but couldn't decide where to put a sentiment, so instead used several stamp sets.  That was a bit more work, too, but I think it was worth it:
stamp sets - Happy Home, Another Thank You, An Open Heart, Crazy About You, Petite Pairs, So Very Happy (retired); ink - Sahara Sand, Soft Sky, Marina Mist; Stampin' Write markers - Soft Suede, Summer Starfruit (retired), Gumball Green (retired); card stock - Naturals White (retired), Gumball Green (retired); Big Shot with Ovals Collection framelits

Since kite-theme thank you cards took most of my crafting time this week, I'd like to submit these at the Watercooler, where Anything Goes this week.

When I finished six sets of four kite cards, I had an evening left to work on a card for Jingle Belles' Washi Wonderland.  Some time ago I learned that washi tapes fit the wider stripe of our Stylish Stripes embossing folder, so I decided to try that.  Since I hadn't put away the Circle Card Thinlit that a friend borrowed and recently returned, I decided to try that, too.  One of my favorite bloggers used to say that she "stamped without a net" and that's exactly what was going on here. Narrow washi tapes fit that stripe, but one of my two Christmas design tapes is wide, so I needed to do a bit more work.  I put strips of the tape on an empty Stampin' Dimensionals backing sheet and trimmed it.  Then I applied it to the card and trimmed the edges.  Trimming the edges on a straight piece isn't difficult, but I hadn't really thought through the process of trimming the edges inside a curve in the middle of the card - that turned out to be a bit more work.  To match the stamp to the washi tapes, I decided the stamp needed to be multi-colored, and therefore done with markers.  Yes, a bit more work, but again, worth it.  After all that was done, I didn't like the plain white right side, so I found a coordinating piece of paper.  It needed to be retro fit around that cut curve in the middle of the card, so, I'm sure you've guessed, I needed to to bit more work.  (whew)  At least, I found places for the trimmed-off narrow strips of washi tape, and you almost can't see the seam:



stamp set - Wishing You (retired); ink - Cucumber Crush; Stampin' Write markers - Cucumber Crush, Real Red, Garden Green; card stock - Whisper White thick; specialty designer series paper - In Color envelope; Big Shot with Circle Card thinlits die and Stylish Stripes embossing folder; washi tape - unknown

8 comments:

Heidi Weaver said...

Hi Kathe, I absolutely love your custom beach/kite thank-you cards. They are beautifully designed and crafted. I know that masking takes time but it definitely was worth it for the effect you managed in sponging the background beach scene. The colours, too, are spot on for the type of card and images. Love this! Thanks so much for joining our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge this week.

Marsha Reed said...

Kathe, your kite themed cards are wonderful. Now I need to get that set out and do some CASEing. Thanks for joining us this week at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges.

SmilynStef said...

If there is an embossing folder that fits washi tape, I must check it out ... this design is brilliant, so obviously stamping without a net suits you well ... so very glad you joined us at jingle belles (love your kite cards too).

Gail said...

You've sure been busy! Those kite cards are awesome. Thanks for sharing them for this week's Watercooler Challenge!

libbystamps said...

WOW! Wonderful cards you have created! I absolutely love this! It turned out beautiful! Thank you for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday this week!

Jackie said...

Kathe, your kite card is simply stunning. Beautiful layout and coloring. Absolutely lovely.

Deborah Smart said...

I wonder if I'm too late to order that stamp set?! I just love your thank you cards, Kathe; I want to join that little boy on the beach, and have fun in the sand :) Thanks for submitting them to our Watercooler Wednesday challenge this week. ~Deborah

lauren bergold said...

HOLY GUACAMOLE missus!!! definitely a lot of work going on over here but sooooooooooooo completely and totally WORTH IT! oooooooooooooooh! yowza, that washi card is amazing... i think i may have been speechless for a bit (unheard of in the laurniverse, lol!)! thanks for making our "washi wonderland" even more wonderful at JINGLE BELLES! ♥♥♥