You + Me – Together with a Sneak Peek

Happy New Year’s Day, my friends!  As we wrapped up 2013, I shared a card to celebrate the jubilation of New Year’s Eve, I looked back fondly at 2013 with some of my favorite cards from the year, and I waxed poetic about the importance of fairly evaluating our lives on the last day of the year – “life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.”

Today – on the first day of 2014 – I’m sharing a card simply because I love it.  There’s no special sentiment, not special meaning – just a cute idea I dreamed up with a result that makes me smile – I literally woke up from an afternoon nap and Frankenstein-walked downstairs to the Fungeon to make this card.  Anyway, here it is:Tips, Tricks and Reminders

• Etched in Wood.  The minute I saw this adorable sentiment stamp set in the Occasions Catalog (available Jan 3), I knew I had to have it (flip through the catalog too fast, and you’ll miss it on page 18).  This particular sentiment reminds me of something you’d see etched on the side of a tree, so I though to myself, “Self, why not make it appear to be etched in the side of a tree?”  I had a mission.  With my Full Heart punch, I cropped a heart out of scrap Designer Series Paper.  I added a light amount of 2-Way Glue, let that dry to make it temporary and then placed it on the base of Crumb Cake.  I stamped the Woodgrain stamp over top of it and then sponged around the edges before removing the heart.  While this technique leaves a light “halo” around the heart, the effect actually helps the heart to look etched in the tree.  Nice!
• Color Combination.  The color selections for this card were really quite easy.  I knew I wanted to use Crumb Cake for the tree base, so Early Espresso was an easy choice as a complement to the Crumb Cake.  To add a little Valentine’s flair, I added a border of Blushing Bride card stock and candy dots.  This shade of pink has brown hues and undertones, so it pairs really well with Early Espresso and Crumb Cake – in fact, Blushing Bride is gorgeous when paired with browns.
• Diversity in Layering.  While the Crumb Cake tree layer is the centerpiece of this card, it’s supported by several layers of Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Blushing Bride.  To add a little interest, I sized the layers intermittently.  As you know, I like layers on my cards – the multitude of diverse layers on this card make the border just as special as the centerpiece.

Stamp sets:  Hip Notes, Woodgrain  Papers:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Blushing Bride  Inks:  Early Espresso  Accessories:  Stampin’ Sponges, Full Heart punch, 2-Way Glue Stick, Subtles Candy Dots (Blushing Bride), Stampin’ Dimensionals

Product Shares and Designer Series Paper Swatch Books.  I announced my 2014 Occasions Catalog Product Shares and Designer Series Paper Swatch Books this week, and I’d love for you to join in on all the fun.

To order these swatch books or request a seat in my shares (or to learn more about either),  PLEASE CLICK HERE.  You won’t be disappointed.  Please email me at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

CLICK HERE to order Stampin’ Up! products 24/7.

Last Day to Place an Order from the Holiday Catalog.  If you have been eyeing items in the 2013 Holiday Catalog (but have delayed ordering them), the last day to order from the catalog is January 2.  Order today, and don’t forget to check out the Clearance Rack Deals before you do.  To place an order, CLICK HERE.

Weekly Deals.  Stampin’ Up’s Weekly Deals were announced yesterday.  They run from Tuesday through Monday and are generally composed of a long list of items that are marked 20% – 25% off.  This week is no exception.  Click on the picture below to see all these items in my online store.  Whether you are placing an order on the last day of the Holiday catalog or on the first day of the Occasions Catalog, these are great deals that shouldn’t be passed up.