Hello everyone and welcome to Inspiration in Action! It's Thursday and around here that means a new sketch and challenge for the weekend!
I just love it when I get to use circles in my cards -- they give such a friendly and organic feel to projects! I hope you'll enjoy working with today's sketch which gives you lots of room for your focal image within the half circle shape and room for a sentiment as well on the banner at the bottom of the card.
Are you ready to see what I've created for you today using this sketch?
Well ... here we go!
My card today uses two stamp sets from the Occasions Mini Catalog -- Well Scripted and Messages for Mom! This sweet card with it's soft colors and images just screams Mother's Day to me! At least, it's something I think my mother would like.
I used Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Whisper White Cardstocks and some 5/8" pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon. I colored in the floral spray (both on the outside of the card and the inside) with inks and blender pens for a softer look, adding Lavender Lace to the color mix. The butterflies were cut with the Beautiful Wings Embosslet and the Big Shot and I added a pink button from the Sherbet Designer Buttons and a Rhinestone brad.
And are you wondering how I got that cool scalloped effect around the circle?
That was done with the Scallop Trim Corner Punch. I began with two squares of cardstock, cut at 3.5" each. I punched out each of the corners with the Corner Punch, leaving me two squares that look like the photo at the right (click to enlarge).
I then turned one of those 45 degrees and attached the two together to give me this cool circular shape.
And then I cut my circles with the Circle Scissor Plus -- one in Certainly Celery and another just slightly smaller in Whisper White.
When you put it all together, it looks like the image on the right.
How cool is that?
From there on, I trimmed the entire piece with the Table Top Paper cutter to make it into a partial circle so the flat top would align with the top of my card (do this carefully because you are cutting through 4 layers of cardstock). Add embellishments, stamping and color and ... voila!
You know, I can't wait to see what you create using this week's sketch. Once you have a chance to work with it, come back here, leave your name and the URL location of your project on the Mister Linky Widget below, and we'll all get to enjoy your creativity!
I'm so glad you stopped by today and hope you'll come back soon.
Have you had a chance to check out my latest Kit-on-the-Go and Tutorial for this darling Whimsical Wings Gift Box and set of Mini Cards! It's perfect for spring and for those special occasions that's we'll all soon be celebrating -- Mother's Day, Easter, Graduations, Weddings, Birthday's and just-because days!
Do you want to see what else is available to purchase on Inspiration in Action? Check out all the Tutorials and Kits that are currently available HERE!
I really appreciate you experimenting with these new punches and sharing all your wonderful ideas and creations!!! Also thank you so much for always giving directions that are so easy to understand and follow!!!!!!
Posted by: Nendy Kerr | February 18, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Love it! Just stunning! All these spring colors and butterfly and that special technique with the punch.
Posted by: Chantal B. | February 18, 2010 at 04:28 PM
Oh, love your Spring looking card design and thank you for the special punch technique.
Never would had thought of that. Thank you for such wonderful creations and ideas. You're a great inspiration
Colleen
Posted by: Colleen | February 19, 2010 at 03:05 AM
Gretchen, that is a beautiful card! I hope you are working on submissions for the Artisan Award contest. I think you'd have a great chance of winning!
Posted by: Barbara Dykhouse | February 19, 2010 at 07:02 AM
Gretchen,
You seize to amaze me....this card is such a workshop WOW by using the new corner punch...thanks for such great ideas!!!!
Posted by: Beth | February 19, 2010 at 08:42 AM
Gretchen -
Absolutely beautiful designs! Thank YOU!
Posted by: Judy Meaux | February 19, 2010 at 10:10 AM
I loved the new tip for the Scallop Border punch. I also was in need of an idea for my club this weekend, so I took on the challenge! Thank you for your aswome blog!
Posted by: Laura V. | February 19, 2010 at 05:24 PM
Gretchen,
Awesome! You are so inspirational:-)
Thanks,
Flo
Posted by: Flo D'Elia | February 21, 2010 at 11:03 AM
What an ingenious idea. Keep them coming. I love the versatility to create other borders. Sometimes you think it can only do one thing but again and again, you get proved wrong. Thanks
Posted by: Karen Bernoe | February 21, 2010 at 07:11 PM
I love this card! So elegant but dainty! I think I have all the supplies to make it too (I try really hard to use SU rather than the nestabilities when creating so my customers can make it too!) Love it! TFS!
Posted by: jeanne nielsen | February 23, 2010 at 08:02 AM
Thanks for the new sketch. I love these because it takes a lot of the work out of making a card. Thanks for doing this for us.
Posted by: Chris Austin | February 24, 2010 at 04:23 PM
Thanks again Gretchen for a great sketch! Love your card. Somehow I managed to get my link up there twice, sorry about that!! I look forward to the next challenge!
Becky
Posted by: Becky | February 25, 2010 at 09:57 AM