SC335: All Pieced Together

I promise that my next post will have different colors than green and brown...ha ha! What can I say...when you're inspired, you gotta roll with it.

I saw this sketch challenge over at SCS and was up for the challenge. You needed to take three patterned papers and piece them together to create a frame. I chose the Woodland Walk DSP because the whole pack has the same color combo, so it would be easy to coordinate.

I created my frame first and then worked on the rest
of the card. This one did not come together easily. I sat down with it on three different occasions over a
couple of days.

I struggled the most with the focal image. I was going to stamp it, but couldn't find anything I liked. I tried the owl punch, that didn't work either. I finally pulled out the XL Fancy Flower Punch and that was the ticket. I think it pulls everything together. The sentiment is from Bella's Bloom. This has truly become one of my favorite all-time stamp sets because it is so versatile.

I love how it turned out and I hope you do too. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Bella's Bloom
Paper: Early Espresso, Wild Wasabi and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Woodland Walk DSP
Ink: Early Espresso Classic Ink
Accessories: XL Fancy Flower Punch, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, 3/4" Circle Punch, Brown Button, Linen Thread and a Small Glue Dot

Thoroughly Modern Patchwork

The Top Note Die...what can I say, I love it! It can be used in so many ways and this is one of my favorites...a Top Note Quilt. It's perfect for all those DSP leftovers or just showing off some really pretty papers. That's what I did in this case.

The Thoroughly Modern DSP has so many fantastic prints in it, that it's hard to decide which ones to use. For this card, you don't have to decide...you can use them all!


The first card is what I designed for my last workshop. It's more monochromatic with Soft Suede, Sahara Sand and Rose Red. The second card is what the wonderfully creative girls in my workshop came up with. They added a splash of color by choosing a print with some Bermuda Bay in it. You will also notice the corner piercing on the second card...another great idea from one of the girls (Mary Beth, you're a genious ;) I love them both!

Which is your favorite? Would you go with a more monochromatic look or would you use that splash of color? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Vintage Labels
Paper: Rose Red, Soft Suede and Sahara Sand Cardstock; Thoroughly Modern DSP
Ink: Soft Suede Classic Stamp Pad
Accessories: Top Note Die, Mat Pack & Paper Piercer, XL Fancy Flower Punch, Curly Label Punch, Clear Buttons, Linen Thread, Crystal Effects and Dimensionals/Pop Dots

Fancy Flower My Friend

One of the questions I get asked most is where I get my ideas. Some I come up with on my own getting inspiration from sketch challenges, but most times, I draw inspiration from others. I follow about 100 blogs dutifully....and I add more as I come across them. Google Reader makes this very easy to do ;)

I wish I could say that I have a natural ability to design cards, but I am not that blessed ;) I love color and combining cardstock and DSP, so I feel that's where my strength lies.

This card is one good example of finding inspiration in others. This flower is punched with the XL Fancy Flower Punch from a sheet of the Sending Love Specialty DSP. I got that idea from Nancy Riley over at iStamp. I got inspiration for the layout from Lynn Put over at The Queen's Scene. I pull these ideas together and add a few Julie touches and a card is born. Sometimes I use similar stamps/supplies, other times I tweak the card to use what I have on hand.

With the use of the internet, we are so lucky to be able to see what others are creating by the click of a mouse. That's the joy of sharing ;)

Stamps: With All My Heart
Paper: Real Red, Cameo Coral, and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Sending Love DSP
Ink: Real Red Classic Pad
Accessories: XL Fancy Flower Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Real 5/8" Real Red Satin Ribbon, Mat Pack & Paper Piercer, Acrylic Block C and Dimensionals/Pop Dots.