It’s no secret that I love when people use art and crafting as a supplement to their daily routines. I’ve known Pamela for twelve years – she sits right next to me at work. Pamela has two passions: tuneless whistling and painting. Like me, Pamela has an artistic passion outside of work and has been attending classes with her art teacher, Elizabeth Grimes, for 17 years. Elizabeth coined the phrase “art is my vitamin” (it’s trademarked or copyrighted or patented or…well, let’s say she owns the rights to the phrase). It’s a really cool concept, though. Art is a supplement for our day and gives us energy and strength and niacin – OK, maybe there’s no niacin in art, but you get the point.
Where was I? Oh, yes. Pamela and a group of five other women have been painting – watercolors and oils on canvases and objects – with Elizabeth for 17 years. Once a week for 17 years. The classes are coming to an end (Elizabeth is retiring), so Pamela asked if I would make cards for the members of her group. She knew she wanted “Art is a Vitamin” on the card. She also wanted a paint brush or paint palette and the color purple. Those were my guidelines. Here’s what I designed for her:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- A Pallet of Colors. I was stumped as to how I would create a palette or a paintbrush to meet Pamela’s request. On my drive home one day, it hit me! Why don’t I punch an oval and then snip the end to represent a pallet? I could add glimmer brads (a great way to get those gorgeous, little accents out of my craft room) to represent the paint on the pallet. Woo hoo!
- Gorgeous Grunge, Made Gorgeous. I’ve really grown to love the projects I’ve seen with Gorgeous Grunge. It’s a great stamp set to age a project, giving watermarks or spots. I brightened it up a bit, turning the images into beautiful spots of colorful paint. I matched the background colors with the colors available in the glimmer brads – except one. You don’t see any Gorgeous Grunge spots in Real Red. Wanna guess why? Because they look like blood stains – this ain’t CSI. 🙂
- Crumb Cake, a Natural Complement. With all the colors popping on this card, it needed some Crumb Cake to bring the card back down to earth a bit. Along with the Crumb Cake palette, I added a thin border of Crumb Cake around the outside of the card and a thin layer around the sentiment. A Crumb Cake envelope is the perfect complement for this card.
Stamp Sets: Gorgeous Grunge Inks: Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive Papers: Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake, Whisper White Accessories: Squares Collection Framelits, Extra-Large Oval punch, 3/8″ Glimmer Brads (Brights), Stampin’ Dimensionals
I’m also entering this card in the Pixel Maven’s Retreat DigiChallenge, which challenges us to create a project with brads. Since I used glimmer brads on my project (and My Digital Studio to create the sentiment), I deserve credit for MDS and brads – and extra credit for using glitter brads (don’t you think?):
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Brian
Product Shares and Designer Series Swatch Books. I’m still receiving requests for swatch books and product shares. If you’ve been thinking about joining but haven’t yet, now’s your chance. Click here for more information.
I’ve been eyeing that grunge idea and I think you nailed it with this one Brian! They will love it!
I like this card a lot, how inventive to make a palette this way.
Don’t you love it to be hit with creative brainwaave so now and then…I do!!!
groetjes / greetings from the Netherlands
I believe this is one of my favorites. I love the colors, I love glimmer brads, and I love the sentiment. Reminds me of what I always say about my other passion (jewelry design) which is “jewelry feeds your soul”. This card is gorgeous.
Oh this is fantastic! She will absolutely LOVE it…I do! 😉
Valerie
Great card, Brian! My gorgeous grunge stamp set is on its way to me as I type. I know I’ll make this card, or one similar, because my hubby is a watercolorist and his birthday’s coming soon. Love how you did the palette…good thinking! Thanks for the headsup regarding red ink with this stamp (shudder), I wouldn’t have thought of that.
Love this card. Awesome brain storm.
Fantastic card Brian and clever use of the Oval punch to create an Artist Pallet. Love the glimmer brads added to it.
That’s so clever! 😀
What an absolutely fabulous creation! I’m sure Pamela will be proud to to present this to Elizabeth, if she doesn’t just keep it and frame it for herself. Why this should be enough to convince her that you should be her next art form “vitamin”. BTW you should blow them all away with this on Pixel Maven’s challenge!
Brian, your imagination and talent seems endless these days. Absolutely stunning!
Woo! You’re a Rock Star here! Love the card & Elizabeth’s endurance to hold class for so long! Truly a passion I see!
This is truly a work of art!
Oh is this a WOWSER…love it. My grunge will be on my doorstep tomorrow and I know what the first card I’m making with it is……THIS ONE!!! Love it!
Wow Brian!! Very creative & colorful! Thank you for sharing the card AND the story!! Extra credit earned, check!! 🙂
what a great idea. I love it. Off course I admire all your grandiose works.
Absolutely perfect, Brian! And the artist pallet is beyond creative.
My mom has been taking art classes for many years as well. Can’t wait to case this card for her. Thank you!
Creative genius. ‘Nuff said. 🙂
This is spectacular. Kudos on figuring out the pallet! That’s a keeper idea. And the Glimmer Brads are a definite bonus!
Oh Brian, you are amazing, your imagination has NO boundaries!!!!! I also have been looking at that Gorgeous Grunge set and your card today just pushed me over that imaginary line between the “should I get it?” and the “GET IT!!!!!” I absolutely love the colors you used, the lay out and most of all, the painter’s palate, it’s amazingly creative. Pamela and her friends will treasure this card for ever. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
PS. I’m so, SO glad Mary had you as a guest stamper that day and that she directed me to check out your blog!!
Gorgeous card… and so clever!
Love it!!
Simply mind blowing. You rocked it out of the park! Everyone will just love it! After Elizabeth see’s what your mastermind created, maybe she will dabble in paper crafting has a hobby. After 17 years of classes, I bet Pam and her friends are very talented artists.
Love love it ! Everything about this card shouts art, color and creativity . Who wouldn`t love to receive this “Cutie” . You may have helped me make my mind up about this stamp set .I have some of those brads I got in a kit or product shares or such . I never can find a place to use them but you did….! Super clever !!
You see Sonny? Ain’t Brian incredibly persuasive?? He made you cross that line too, eh my friend?
this is the most awesome card ever this is why i check in every day to see what you create. thank you brain !!
omg !! yes you are a brain, but meant brian lol fingers were still sleeping, sorry
So clever!
absolutely incredible. love the “art is my vitamin” mantra. so true. the easel . . . well, pure genius!
Mary, every day I come to Brian’s blog I thank you in my mind for that fabulous day you had him as a guest stamper and you directed us here. I’m so, so happy I clicked the link. Ain’t he awesome?
My first impression was (squeal) SO COOL- LOVE IT !!! You did a wonderful job with the card, Brian, and I have no doubt that your friend (and hers) will cherish it for a long time to come. If you’re not already, you’ll be their hero!!
What a great card and a great story, Brian. I think one of the things I love about card making the most the ability to personalize, and wow you have accomplished that here. I’m sure the recipients will love them.
Love it love it love it xxxxxx
High Five…you made an awesome card…my mother is an artists and I did a cookie with frosting to look like the paint pallet it was a hit at her 80th b-day party just like your CARD was a hit I am SURE…..it is so eye catching and perfect!
How do you come up with these fantastic card ideas?!!!! This card is one of your all time BEST, if not THE best!! Great job Brian! I have to go order Gorgeous Grunge now. . . . .
You out did yourself this time! Yes, you deserve to win any challenge and then some! Love the card and you my friend!
Looking at this card is a soothing visual explosion…is that even possible? Absolutely a great card. SU needs to use that in next year’s catty to represent Gorgeous Grunge. I simply love looking at this card and will need to go make it and put it in my inspiration area.
You are SO creative! I am being she loved this!
I love this card! I am also in a painting group that has been together for about 20 years meeting twice a month! I will have to keep this card idea in mind! Thanks, Brian!
Oh my gosh, Brian!!! This is absolutely what I need to “connect” with one of my step-kids. Not to mention teenaged grandkids. I can’t thank you enough! This palette …. you just don’t know … they’ll finally see WHY I love making cards so much. hugs, Celia
By the way …. so brave of you to touch those glittery thingies!!! 🙂
Oh my gosh, Brian!!! This is absolutely what I need to “connect” with one of my step-kids. Not to mention teenaged grandkids. I can’t thank you enough! This palette …. you just don’t know … they’ll finally see WHY I love making cards so much. hugs, Celia
Brian, Brian, Brian! How do you do it! This is an amazing creation! Keep those creative
juices flowing! A great card!!!
I just love it! You are marvelous.
Beautiful card Brian!
When I saw the Gorgeous Grunge set I thought “what the heck are the designers over at SU thinking”? Who would want spots that look like spills all over their card? O.K. so now I know and I just love it! The color combo in this card is simply a smile on card stock. How could anyone look at this card and not become instantly happy?
AWESOME!! You hit the nail (or brad!) on the head with this one, Brian! LOVE THIS, and I am sure they will be thrilled as well!
Hi Brian…oh my this is another awesome card you created!! I had to send this on to my good friend who is an art teacher! Love your blog, you are such an inspiration…keep up the great work!
LOVE it! Your amazing talent is unlimited!
This is gorgeous! What a fun, bright, happy card! The palette is perfect 🙂 Awesome job, Brian!
I guess you can tell this card is a real hit! Look at all these comments and it is only 10: 20 a.m. Just re-read them all and that is exactly how I feel too. Oh, read it with all capital letters. Thanks a bunch.
OH YES!!!! LOVE IT!!!
OH YES!!! LOVE IT!!!
P R I C E L E S S ! ! !