Well, here we are in that beautiful, peaceful time after the Christmas rush is behind us. The holidays are a lot of fun, but I can only handle so much fun and I’m happy for things to return to their normal state. It’s even better that I’m enjoying a little vacation time till the 6th. I could get used to this!
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions because resolutions are an ongoing thing for me, and my current resolution is that I’m going to try and commit myself to finish what I start in regard to stamping. Unfinished projects are the main contributor to my stamp room disarray with this and that sitting around in piles, set aside and pushed around, more and larger and messier piles growing by the day. Today’s card has been sitting around since summertime, waiting for me to finish the inside and photograph it. I seem to not feel right about a card if it doesn’t have a colored image on it. Silly, I know, since many cards these days are made with die cuts and sentiments only, and they are no less beautiful because of it. It’s just me. I like to color, but finally I’m sharing my no coloring, die cut, sentiment focus card:
The fancy oval was pressed into a Versamark ink pad, then heat embossed with white. The original color of the die cut was pink. A second coat of embossing powder would have given better coverage, but I settled for a mottled look with some of the pink showing through.
I layered an oval and a scalloped die atop the two fancy shapes, added some pearls and flourishes and a resin rose. The sentiment is a JustRite Birthday Centers. The resin rose was made with one of those molds and modeling compound from Stampin’ Up!. I colored the rose with Stampin’ Up! markers and shaved off the back of it with a craft knife to make it skinnier.
The Spellbinders dies used are:
- Classic Ovals Small
- Scalloped Ovals Small
- Floral Ovals
- Labels Twenty
The designer paper is Prima Annalee, and the textured cardstock is Bazzill.
I’ll see you again soon with coloring. I have an unbelievable number of stamps and digital images waiting to be used for the first time. I’m so good at collecting, and my dreams are bigger than the amount of time I have. It’s good to dream, though, yes? Have a happy day!
I don't have a lot of things started but I do have a world of images that need to be colored. That is my down fall. I keep thinking I need more when usually less is definitely better. But I love your card and it looks like it's wait for you to finish turned out to make it a gorgeous project. Well done!
Posted by: Glenda | 12/30/2013 at 01:56 AM
Gorgeous card! Love how it all came together, so many pretty layers, and the pretty resin rose!! I have a lot of "started" projects too, I need to focus on....have a wonderful and Happy New Year!!
Posted by: Diane H | 12/30/2013 at 03:29 AM
So glad you finished this because it is gorgeous! Love all the layers especially the mottled white layer - really cool - I would of never thought of that - see I learned something today!. The resin rose sets this card off nicely. I have so many projects started but not finished, maybe I should focus on getting some of those done this year - stamped sentiments, coloured images etc. Thanks for the inspiration to focus on unfinished projects. Enjoy the rest of your week, and have a wonderful Happy New Year - all the best to you and your family and look forward to being inspired by your gorgeous projects in 2014.
Posted by: Pauline | 12/30/2013 at 04:34 AM
This is beautiful, Leslie. Not finishing a project has never been an issue for me. Cleaning up after my project is though. I think I am a little sick of coloring. You will see a lot more stamping and next to no coloring from me. :)
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Heather Jensen | 12/30/2013 at 06:12 AM
Oh, Leslie, this is beautiful, and I'm so glad you finally finished it! I too have a pile of UFO's (as quilters call them). And I also have a lot of stamped images that keep "calling" to be colored. I love to color, and that's been my love since I now have such a wonderful collection of Copic markers. It's so relaxing. But I also love this card in its simplicity of coloring and yet with the lovely layers and the fabulous texture from embossing! Wonderful idea! I continue to LOVE your work and style, even as they change, which we all do! Happy New Year, and may God continue to bless you and your DH and your precious fur buddies! Hugs!
Posted by: CherylQuilts | 12/30/2013 at 07:13 AM
Oh my no coloring needed, this is just Gorgeous, I love your combo of the dies and layering, the flourishes coming around to the front is so cool and that flower is so pretty, great idea of trimming it down for less bulk!
Posted by: Conniecrafter | 12/30/2013 at 07:29 AM
very pretty. love pinks and greens together. Have a great day
Posted by: yogi | 12/30/2013 at 07:39 AM
Feminine and beautiful indeed!
Posted by: Stacy Morgan | 12/30/2013 at 08:45 AM
I really struggle with not having coloured images on my cards too. But woweee Leslie - this is a beauty! Beautiful details to make it stand out!
Posted by: ChristineCreations | 12/30/2013 at 08:46 AM
So nice to hear you had a Merry Christmas.
I too have this obsession with coloring, and I also have many unfinished cards or card parts as I like to call them.
I am glad you finished this beauty. I love the color combo of pinks and my favorite color of green. Just lovely!
Posted by: Gail | 12/30/2013 at 08:52 AM
Useful tips to try, thanks Leslie!
Posted by: Carla Henderson | 12/30/2013 at 09:06 AM
You dream of using up all the things you have started. I dream of being able to make cards as beautiful as yours are! This is gorgeous. I love the mottled look you achieved with the Versamark & everything about this card is just gorgeous. That little rose is just perfect & looks like it was professionally done. I can't wait to see what else you come up with now!
Posted by: Sherri Dean | 12/30/2013 at 12:11 PM
I really love the beauty and simplicity of this card....I do love all your colored images but please don't shy away from making cards like this. Your style on all your cards is beautiful. I have really enjoyed following your blogs. Thank you so much Leslie for your inspiration and I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year!
Posted by: Tonya K. | 12/30/2013 at 12:42 PM
This card is gorgeous and doesn't need anything! Looking forward to seeing your new creations in 2014. I hope you have a wonderful New Year!!
Posted by: Lenoria | 12/30/2013 at 02:03 PM
Beautiful card! The background you created for the sentiment is fantastic and the rose is spectacular!
Posted by: Tammy Hair | 12/30/2013 at 02:33 PM
Such a pretty card! I love pink and greens together.
Posted by: Sherylee | 12/30/2013 at 04:45 PM
Luxurious...and beautiful...and so feminine!
Posted by: Evelyn Spikes | 12/30/2013 at 05:05 PM
wow...such pretty use of design!Lovely papers all layered up so nicely to show off the sentiment. Love the addition of all those green 'tendrils' too!
Posted by: Sue Kment | 12/30/2013 at 05:49 PM
A real beauty Leslie! Your designs show that you like to color, but then again, your designs show everything you love. I think all stampers have stacks of unfinished cards. I finally put mine in large plastic bags and put them inside my cabinet so it didn't remind me so much of how little time I have. I buy stamps and products that I see and say "I'm going to make that"....and I just finished posting 55 items on Ebay of things that I hardly used, if at all. I don't make resolutions because I never resolve to get them done, so I will just try to be better...at everything. Maybe that will cover it! I adore this card, as I adore everything you do! Hugs! Happy New Year....
Posted by: Bobbi Miller | 12/30/2013 at 08:17 PM
When it comes to stamping, I guess we are all dreamers! Love this beautiful card and your inspiring "resolution"!
Posted by: Linda E | 12/30/2013 at 09:29 PM