Simple Can be Stunning
I’m here to remind you that simple can be stunning. You don’t have to go all out to create something beautiful and meaningful.
I know I have a tendency to go all out when creating a project. It’s sort of in my nature. My life’s motto is, “When life gives you lemons, make PINK lemonade,” because that is what a classic overachiever does. But I’ve been trying to be better about creating more simple projects lately. And because I need to remind myself, I though you might need that reminder too.
With the “simple is stunning” thought running through my head, I set out to create two festive cards from one stamp set. I kept the color schemes simple and balked at tons of embellishments. (Whoa, hey, where is the “you can never have too many paper flowers” girl at?!)
For the first card, a Christmas card, I chose a deep green-blue piece of cardstock. I then stamped the tree and star topper onto the cardstock using embossing ink. I used one of Scrapbook.com's newest stamp sets that they sent me, the Festive Tree and Greetings set. As of publishing this blog, it's not quite available yet. but if you love it and want to have it for next year, visit this link and click on the "notify me" button!
On a side note, I’m not much of a stamper and I have a chronic pain disorder that can make it difficult, so if you are like me, I highly recommend getting a stamping platform and using the Stampendable tool to make it easier on your hands.
I loved all the detail in this stamp, so knowing this, I chose to emboss with Ranger’s Super Fine embossing powder in copper. The smaller granules really do create a stunning image, with even the thinnest of stamped lines.
For the sentiment, I chose a label sticker from the jewels Sticker Book. I thought the deep teal label with the rose gold accent really matched the color scheme I had chose so far. I stuck the label down onto a piece of cardstock, allowing me to hold the sticker in place with magnets on my stamping platform. I stamped with the same embossing ink and applied the same embossing powder.
I snipped off the excess cardstock from around the sticker and then applied some foam adhesive to the back to pop it up from the card base. I then added just a few gems around the tree just as a small accent.
For the second card, I wanted to create a New Year’s card. I love the idea of a New Year’s card because sometimes you just don’t have enough time to create and send everyone a Christmas card. Plus, they are so different and they don’t get lost in the crowd of Christmas cards. Okay, enough of that tangent.
I started out by selecting a piece of smooth black cardstock. I adhered it to the back of the Fireworks stencil with some 4” mint tape. I then used a domed foam blender to apply gold metallic ink through the stencil.
To incorporate the stamp, I chose the star topper, stamping it onto another piece of black cardstock. I think this little burst looks like the center of a firework, or maybe a sparkler too! I embossed using the Ranger Super Fine embossing powder in gold. I set this aside for the moment and moved on to the sentiment.
I chose a label sticker from the black and white Sticker Book and embossed my sentiment in the same manner as the other card. I applied the sticker to another piece of cardstock, stamped, embossed in gold and then cut the sticker from the cardstock. I adhered it to the card front with some foam adhesive.
Next, using a small circle punch, I punched out the embossed bursts. I added a small foam square to the back of each and adhered it to the center of each firework. For just a touch more sparkle, I added some Pops of Color in champagne glitter to the card.
And that is it! No mixed media techniques, no handfuls of flowers. Just simple embossing, stenciling and stickers. And I really the Festive Tree and Greetings stamp set from Scrapbook.com. It has so many possibilities with the Christmas and New Year’s sentiments as well as the small snowflakes and star burst. I can’t wait to see what you make with this stamp!
Until next time, happy crafting!
Adrienne
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