
The stamp set Blooming with Happiness wins my prize for my favourite Level 1 Hostess set (I'm sure it's very honoured to receive such an esteemed award LOL)
I just love the crisp, fine lines, the little details and the way it lend itself to simple cards like
this and
this.
If you'd like to own this set before it's gone forever, you need to place a $300 order by the end of March. It's easier than you think...just show your friends the
Retirement List and there's bound to be some things they can't live without! You'll also get an extra $30 to spend on yourself too!My favourite 2007-8 In Color award goes to Cool Caribbean (with Cranberry Crisp a close runner-up)
I've cut my cardstock length-ways for this card. You still get 2 cards from an A4 sheet, but the "spine" of the card will be at the side for a landscape card, or at the top for a portrait. I like having the spine at the side because when you sit your card on the mantelpiece so everyone can admire it for days on end (because of course that's what everyone does with handmade cards, right?!?), it sits up nicely instead of gradually lying flatter and flatter.
It also gives you that "Something Extra" before you've even started. I'm a big believer in Something Extra...I think every card should have something that makes you want to keep on looking. It can be an added detail like Paper-Piercing, a bit of texture, or some sparkle...just those extra details that turn it into something special, and beg the question "how did you do that?"
To make the Arched window here, I used my 1 3/8" square punch (punched in from the side) and then my 1 3/8" circle punch also punched in from the side, to punch out a semi-circle on top of the square. Always use your punches upside down, so you can see exactly where you're punching.
The rest of the card is really easy...a row of Umbrellas stamped in Basic Black. I've attached a piece of Whisper White inside the card, so one of the umbrellas is stamped on that. I've highlighted some of the flowers with my White Gel Pen, and the inside umbrella I've coloured some flowers in Cool Caribbean. I positioned the sentiment on top of the window using the Stamp-a-ma-jig.
The strip along the bottom is made using the Corner rounder punch (guard removed) and the Paper Piercing mat pack.
Now, can anyone spot the mistake in this card?After taking the photo, I realised, and even re-made the card, but I was too lazy to re-take the photo! There's a little ribbon-y prize for the first person to guess (sorry fellow demos, you'll have to miss this one, so ssshhhh!)