There are so many times in life when our loved ones need a pick-me-up. We often send cards and prayers of courage and hope when our loved ones are battling sickness or challenged by strife – those are certainly meaningful events to acknowledge. That’s a pick-me-up, but what about a keep-it-up? We should also remember to offer encouragement to those who are already on a path of awesomeness (like those graduating from school or headed to their first job interview) – a quick not to let them know we support them. That was my goal with today’s card – designed with the sketch from this week’s Paper Players’ challenge. Here’s my card:
And here’s LeAnne Pugliese’s sketch that inspired my card:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- Splitting Apart the Sentiment. The sentiment on this card is from a Sneak Peek stamp set called Something to Say. This set is filled with lots of versatile sentiments, but I love the supportive tone of this one. There are two stamps that make up this sentiment: (1) You’ve Got Courage, You’ve Got Strength and (2) You’ve Got Me. I used my Stamp-a-Ma-Jig and Stampin’ Write Marker to position the “You’ve Got” from stamp (2) just below the string of words from stamp (1). I really like the “ME” all by itself. 🙂
- Blushing Brown. Certain colors just look good together. For starters, Early Espresso looks good with almost anything. I’m no color scientist, but I Blushing Bride has more brown tones than gray tones, so I think it looks smashing with Early Espresso, while shades like Pink Pirouette seem to pair better with grays. I truly can’t look at a color and say “AHA! That has more brown undertones and … blah, blah, blah”, but I can say that Blushing Bride looks good with Early Espresso. 🙂
- Work of Art. The “splatter” behind the sentiment of this card is from Work of Art, another Sneak Peek item from the upcoming catalog. I stamped it off once to give it a super-light appearance. I wanted to incorporate a little bit of the Blushing Bride with the Early Espresso words but didn’t want it to detract at all from the sentiment. While I love these splotches in bold, up-front images, they certainly work wonderfully in the background.
Stamp sets: Something to Say, Work of Art Papers: Early Espresso, Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Subtles Designer Series Paper Stack (Blushing Bride) Inks: Blushing Bride, Early Espresso Accessories: 1-1/4″ Circle punch, 1-3/8″ Circle punch, 1-3/4″ Scallop Circle punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you liked this project.
Brian
SAVE WHEN YOU BUY THE STARTER KIT. Between now and June 30, Stampin’ Up! is adding a reduced-price Starter Kit. The old one is still there ($99 for $125 of product – and FREE SHIPPING), but the new one ($50 for $55 of product – and FREE SHIPPING) gives you the option to create your Starter Kit at a reduced price. Perfect for a “test drive” or for a previous demonstrator to get a foot in the door again. There’s absolutely no obligation to purchase another thing after you join. Please contact me at [email protected] with questions or click here to join now.
So true Brian, a “keep it up” is a good feeling to send. I like the colors and love this stamp set. Can’t wait to next week. Yippee. 🙂
I love what you did with the Something to say. The me on its own is brilliant and I love the work if art swoosh in the background. I think that if they gave out honorary degrees for color scientists that you have earned yours. You are absolutely a color coordination genius.
Great idea for the sentiment. Like the lay-out!
Love this, Brian….I originally started making cards as encouragements to friends, so this is near & dear to my heart! A sweet sentiment and awesome colors together! Thanks for playing with my sketch this week, too!
Very encouraging card! Love the color combination and the upcoming stamps. Cannot wait to see the catalog on Saturday !! Thanks for sharing.
Great idea with the sentiment ! It looks to natural when you take stamps and place them like this ! I agree that espresso work well with Blushing Bride , I love it ! Greetings , Anita
You got ME as soon as I slowly scrolled down to the picture and saw the colors you used. Pinks and browns have always been one a my favorite combos. Just love this sentiment and your card.
And yes we do! And we wouldn’t change it for the world friend !!!!your the BEST !!!
Hugs
Frenchie ❤️
Great card Brian! I love the pink and brown color combination and what a great sentiment. The watercolor (?name?) stamp set is at the top of my new catty wish list, love it. Thanks for sharing this beauty.
another awesome card–
Wonderful card with great design and perfect sentiment!
This is the absolutely perfect card for someone going through breast cancer treatment. I think the toned down pink is perfect during recovery and then the brighter pinks wonderful for survivor cards. Seeing this card actually brought tears to my eyes. When a card moves someone emotionally the way this one moved me you know you have hit a home run for sure.
This is a great card! I like that you used only part of one of the sentiments…I like to do that also. Thanks for the inspiration of this card!
Love this card! Pink & brown is such a great combo, and what a great sentiment set.
What you call this is “Card Therapy” ….very effective to boost the spirit or bring a smile to a tired and frowning face. Well done with the color splash ,sentiment and color choices . I like it !
Beautiful, Brian. I just love the splashes in the Work of Art stamp set- so versatile and adds that ‘lil something that finishes off a card. TFS:)
Love the Blushing Bride and Early Espresso together. Can’t wait to order the ‘Work of Art’ stamp set. Thanks for your inspiration!
What a wonderful card! I `m from Germany and I was just looking around for a little “Sneak Peak” of the new catalogue (in Europe its starting 01.07.). So I stopped at your blog and looked around and I must say “WOW”, so beautiful things. Now I will come back as soon as possible to see your wonderful new projects.
Sandra
P.S:. Please excuse my english, School is long time ago 🙂
What a beautiful card you made and with so much thought and heart behind it!
Great card Brian , especially now when it’s graduation time. I really think your idea of a ” keep it up” card is insightful since this the time when so many people are embarking on new careers or planning for college in a couple of months. I love the color combination, the sentiment and how you tweaked it to fit your vision.
Brian, you are so right. Sometimes we forget to send those “keep it up” cards. Thanks for remind us to do that.
I love these colors together! I also love the sentiment stamped on the central panel and then finished off in the circle. Fabulous card!
So glad you joined us at the Paper Players again this week
Jaydee
Another great card Brian! Words of encouragement are so important and I love the split sentiment and ‘me’ button highlight. Works really well in your chosen colours too!