Magazine Monday

This week I'm revisiting another artist - Elizabeth Allan. I didn't intend to, it just happened. I guess when you find someone who's style you like, you can't help but tune into them.

I started with the image for this week from The OutLawz Freebie challenge. The watering can full of flowers seemed to lend itself to a birthday card. One of my nieces has a birthday next week an I thought this would be perfect for her.

Elizabeth used a Teal base and a different CB folder for her background. Her image was on a circle, matted with light pink then again in a teal scalloped circle. She stamped the sentiment in the bottom third of the card.

The watering can image didn't lend itself to a circle so I went with the clean lines, adding a bit of curve with the sentiment mat to mimic the curve in the heart on the watering can.

Although you can't see it very well, I inked the CB folder with Pretty in Pink before embossing the white cs. That is a neat technique if you want a 'letter press' look to your embossed image. Simply stamp ink all over the inside of the folder - the 1/2 that will be the top of your image. Place your CS in the folder and emboss as normal. Carefully remove your embossed image and wipe the folder clean with a bit of stamp pad cleaner and paper towel or a baby wipe.

Recipe:

Almost Amethyst (SU-Ret.)

Pretty in Pink

GP White

Happy Birthday CB folder

Pretty In Pink ink

Almost Amethyst ink (ret.)

Lavender Lace ink (ret.)

Watercolor Pencils (Derwent)

Digi Image from Sandie Hugget

Vintage Labels (SU)

Mini brads (Recollections)

Pop Dots

This also covers:

Magazine Monday

The Outlawz Freebie Challenge

Magazine Monday

Another beautiful day in the Ozarks. It is hard to believe we are still in the throes of winter. It is 54 degrees outside but if you are in the sun, it feels much warmer. I even ventured outside to photograph today's card.

Today's inspiration comes from the February 2010 issue of Crafts n Things Magazine. The card I chose was 'Love is the Reward' by Crafts n Things Design Team member, Elizabeth Allan. Her cards are beautiful and I encourage you to stop by her blog for a peek and say hello.

She used a 4.25x5.5 vertical card. Her card title echoes the sentiment she stamped on white CS, matted and tied with the striped ribbon at it' base. She used 3 square brass brads positioned on-point to the left of the sentiment. Her card has a distinct vintage feel that caught my attention.

I was inspired by the color scheme and the simplicity of the sentiment. And I think my choice of DP is just feminine enough to cover my tastes without being too girly for my husband's valentine. What do you think?

For my husband's Valentine, I chose to flip Elizabeth's design horizontal to coordinate with the layout of the sentiment from SU Holiday Best. I ran the ribbon beneath the sentiment rather than tie it. I used SU Cherry Cobbler and Chocolate Chip CS and a print from My Minds Eye called Love of My Life Floral. I followed Elizabeth's design of giving the brown mat for the sentiment a scalloped edge to soften the look, again just soft enough for a girl but man enough for my 6'4" hubby. To balance everything out, I used three gold brads in the opposite corner.

Whatever inspires you, make it yours....

and share with someone you Love!