Today’s post is a combination of two things I really love: the Holiday One-for-One Card Swap and Three Things I Like posts.
Holiday One-for-One Swaps. For those who are new to my blog, I have hosted several one-for-one swaps. It’s an opportunity for my blog readers (y’all are primarily card makers) to design and create a beautiful card to share with a perfect stranger and with me. It’s simple: send me one card, and you’ll receive someone else’s card in return. For some people, this is an enjoyable challenge to design and make a card to share with someone else. For others, it’s just another chance to receive a beautiful card in the mail. Woo hoo!
Three Things I Like Posts. Every once in a while, I come across a card that just “wows” me, and I’m excited to share it with you. Rather than just show you the card, I want to talk about it – I’m really good at talking about stamping stuff, so… Anyway, this card came to me in the stack of cards that arrived as part of the Holiday One-for-One Swap. I’ll be sharing the other cards (they are ready to head to the post office today), but this is one of my favorites:
Now’s the hard part (for me). As a part of my Three Things I Like posts, I share three things I like about the presented cards. That’s difficult because I often have 15 or 20 things I like about the card – and this is no exception. This one’s definitely a “wow” card (and not all the wows can be captured in this picture), so here goes:
- Balance in Threes. In the dating world, three people creates the undesirable “third wheel,” and in social gatherings “two’s company, and three’s a crowd.” Those aren’t terribly appealing, are they? Card making is different, though? I’ve always said that there’s great balance in threes, and it’s perfectly showcased in Lisa’s card. Three snowflakes, three letters (the word “joy” is super-balanced, don’t you think?) and three strings of silver ribbon. Oh! And three little, silver bows.
- Texture, texture, texture. From the [eh,hem] glimmer paper to the smooth snowflakes and silky ribbon, Lisa’s card is filled to the brim with gorgeous texture. No one wants to run their finger over the glimmer paper because rational people would fear that they might unleash the little silver crystals. Each of the snowflakes and each of the banners is heat embossed with clear embossing powder, making each one smooth to the touch. Lisa adds even more texture with the Perfect Polka Dots textured embossing folder in the background.
- Not wasting a bit. This isn’t technically an element of the card I love, but it’s certainly worth mentioning here. As I studied Lisa’s card, I noticed that the two background snowflakes are embedded in the glimmer paper. That means my supply-saving friend has two glimmer snowflakes that are likely included in some other gorgeous card. Yipee for not wasting!
Stamp sets: Festive Flurry, A Banner Christmas Inks: Bermuda Bay, Cherry Cobbler, Coastal Cabana Papers: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Glimmer Paper Accessories: Festive Flurry Framelits, Clear Textured Embossing Powder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Embossing Folder, Silver 1/8″ Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals
I’ve done my part in praising Lisa’s gorgeous card. Now’s your turn. Please comment below to let Lisa know how much you love her card. I’ll be sharing the other cards over the next several weeks – I hope you’ll come back to check out those beauties.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Brian
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Oh WOW!! How gorgeous!!! Love the way those snowflakes are embedded in the glimmer paper, like perfect puzzle pieces, so clever!! Beautiful color choices, beautiful layout make a truly beautiful Christmas card. Thank you for a little advance taste of what it promises to be a fabulous parade of beauties and also thank you for giving us the opportunity to share what we love about this craft with others.
Oh Lisa …what a masterpiece creation ! This is really something ! Who wouldn`t love to get this beauty in the swap ! Love it ! Brian , you did a great job showcasing it !
BTW….Maria and I became friends when Brian swapped our cards ! Thank you ,Brian !
Dear Sonny: Yes, both of us are so grateful that we met here and have become such amazing friends and card swapping buddies. Thank you indeed Brian!!!!!
Beautiful card. I like the “embedded” technique you used. Very clever. Can’t wait to receive my swap card.
Love the “three” theme Lisa and the non-traditional color pallet!
What a wonderful layout …. and I love the colors! Those bows are so cute (and perfectly tied)! I love everything about it!
Hi Lisa. I love all the elements of your card. The tiny bows ( would love to know how you tied those babies). The snow flakes. Just beautiful. Well done, you.
Thanks Lynn. I use the ‘bunny ear’ method. There is videos on youtube. Trust me, I had to fuss alot to get them to where I was happy. Good Luck.
Love this card Lisa . . . the bows, the layout and the matching of the J-O-Y and the snowflakes. I always do the opposite but think I’ll try this the next time. Thanks so much Brian for this card swap. I truly enjoy it. Looking forward to more from us budding designers. 🙂
Thanks for telling us about the embedded snowflakes. I could not see that from the pic and I love that idea used in cards. What an especially beautiful and well crafted card Lisa.
An absolutely striking card Lisa! I love the fact that even though it’s a Christmas card, the silver and blue Hanukkah colors have been incorporated. Brilliant! I have several family members in mixed religious marriages and this card would be well suited for them. Fantastic job.
This card is stunning! I love it, would love to see more of you work!!!
Beautiful card Lisa, I love everything about it, especially the embedded snowflakes. Thanks for sharing Brian, who ever gets this card will love it.
Absolutely gorgeous card, Lisa! You are talented AND brilliant in your design and use of product!
Lisa, your card is awesome! I love the embedded snowflakes. I am all for saving…especially that wonderful glimmer paper even though it is on sale right now! The colors and those tiny bows just make it outstanding!
Thanks, Brian, for doing the one on one swap!
Oh, Lisa, how beautiful! What a great idea to “embed” the snowflakes like that! That’s motivation to make another card. Thanks, Brian, for sharing and for critiquing. I learned another something from your blog today. I will have to find the time to participate in one of your swaps this coming year. Nancy B
I would like to thank everyone for such gracious comments. I’m betting that each and every card Brian received is just as beautiful. A huge ‘thank you’ to Brian for showcasing my card to kick off the parade of cards.
Wow, it its a wow card!. Lisa you did a fabulous job and I most like the color combo. All of the colors together are absolutely stunning. Brian, thanks for defining the intricate work of Lisa. Tena
Lisa, this card is stunning!!! Your colors and techniques are beautifully showcased here!!! Thank you for walking us through all of Lisa’s great work Brian!!!
Simply Beautiful!
Oh, WOW, absolutely sparklingly beautiful!
I’m so bummed that I didn’t get a card in so I could have a chance at this in the swap. I planned to do one but I didn’t get it done.
I just love this card!!! so beautiful, and using colors I would not normally use, now I must try using these colors to see what I come up with!! Thanks for Sharing and Brian thanks for the extra time you put in to getting these cards swapped for another card!
Lisa, this is a WOW! Brian, thank you for sharing the “3” things you like 🙂
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