The Kindness You Show

Need a birthday card pronto?  Want to get a “thank you” note in the mail right away?  It’s always a good idea to have a go-to card layout that can help you crank out multi-purpose cards in a pinch.  With this week’s sketch challenge for CAS(E) this Sketch, Sam Simpson gives us such a layout.  With a strip of Designer Series Paper and a sentiment, you’re almost done as soon as you start.  🙂  Here’s my card:

Lotus Blossom, Stampin' Up!, Brian King, CTS109

And here’s this week’s CAS(E) This Sketch challenge banner that inspired my creation:

Tips, Tricks and Reminders

  • Designer Series Paper.  Sometimes I know that I want to use a piece of Designer Series Paper, but I’m not 100% sure what I’ll do with it.  This strip of print from the All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack spoke to me as I sat down to make this card.  It said, “Welcome back, Brian.  You smell nice.”  I asked it to not butter me up and asked, instead, for inspiration.  Kindly, the paper pointed me to this beautiful sentiment from Lotus Blossom and reminded me that her colors have always been her major focal point.
  • Fun Color Combination.  The color inspiration for this card is pulled directly from this Designer Series Paper Stack.  Pinks and greens can always be combined for a beautiful look – in any shade or hue.  This print uses Mossy Meadow as a rich green and incorporates vibrant pops of Strawberry Slush and soft wisps of Blushing Bride.  If you like this combination of colors, too, feel free to save this:Color Inspiration, Stampin' Up!, Brian King
  • Surprise!  It’s always fun to add elements of surprise to a simple card.  The simple paper-piercing in the bottom, right corner of this card front adds an element of detail without taking away from the rest of the card.  I recalled to pointy flowers in the Starburst Framelit that circles the sentiment.  I repeated these points in the thin border that runs down the middle of the card – I cut a thin strip with my Tiny Wave Stampin’ Trimmer Rotary Cutting Blade.  Surprise!

Stamp Sets:  Lotus Blossom  Papers:  Mossy Meadow, Strawberry Slush, All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White  Inks:  Mossy Meadow  Accessories:  1-3/4″ Circle punch, 2-1/2″ Circle punch, Starburst Framelit Dies, Tiny Wave Stampin’ Trimmer Rotary Cutting Blade, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Piercing Tool, Stampin’ Dimensionals

One more thing.  I can’t help but to point out how similar this card looks to another card I made several weeks ago (see it here).  The Mossy Meadow base, panel of Designer Series Paper and placement of sentiment are the same – yet this one was created for a current sketch challenge.  So different, so similar.  Just wanted to point it out in case you were thinking it.  🙂

I hope you’ll pop over to the CAS(E) This Sketch site to see the cards by the design team members and to play along with this week’s sketch.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian

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20 Comments

  1. Very nice, Brian! I really admire your style.

  2. Such a pretty card Brian!

  3. It’s amazing what a few pieces of beautiful paper, placed just right, can create. This is a very sweet and fresh card, no fuss, just loveliness. The little detail of the pierced corner really looks fabulous.
    Thank you for sharing Brian.

  4. I like this card Brian. I immediately noticed the rotary trimmer edge but admit I totally missed the paper piercing accents until I read the rest of your post. Very nice touch.

  5. Simple, yet beautiful! The colors are wonderful! It’s always nice to start my day with your blog!!

  6. Pretty card! Love the little corner detail . I also think I want to get the Sunburst Framelits ….it just adds some “perky ” to your sentiment .
    And oh my goodness I never thought about mixing Strawberry Slush and Mossy Meadow !! Be still my heart ….

  7. Dang, Brian! That All Abloom DSP is SO pretty that I must have it! I have so much paper now that I could wallpaper every room in my condo. My justification is that I am doing beginning stamper workshops each month now, and this card would be perfect for them. Very pretty, but simple to put together for the newbies. And I’ve been pondering the starburst framelits for a while, too, so that is going on the next order, too. Here comes another freebie from the Occasions catalog! 🙂

  8. Fabulous card to keep on hand just as you said Brian. The best part is that you can use those smaller left over DSP pieces and just stamp the appropriate saying onto the white card stock circle. Just beautiful!

  9. Great inspiration!

  10. “Welcome back, Brian. You smell nice.” I read this while drinking coffee. You should put a warning on comments like this.

    Great card! I love not reinventing the wheel. 😀

  11. What a pretty card, Brian. I have had a hard time using that DSP! You’ve done it masterfully!

  12. I am really liking your card today, Brian. I remember your use of this color combination from the past as it is a favorite of mine. I agree that pinks and greens really do pair well together. Thank you for the inspiration as I am making a card today for a dear friend that has just lost someone dear and your colors will hopefully help to brighten her spirits.

  13. Love it Brian, nice and easy !! And lovely!!!
    Tfs ,
    Hugs Frenchie

  14. Really cute! I too lol’ed at the “you smell nice” comment. I wish my dsp spoke to me in that way! 😉 (maybe im not listening hard enough!!)

  15. I LOVE everything about this card! What great color choices and interpretation of the sketch. Definitely going to CASE this one!

  16. I love the added touch of paper piercing in the corner. I’m waiting on my paper piercer and mat. When I receive them I’ll be borrowing your idea 🙂

  17. I love your elegant take on the sketch Brian!

    Thanks for joining us at CAS(E) this sketch!

  18. As I sit here and read “Welcome back Brian, you smell nice” I can’t help but think that if you ever decide to give up this craft, you would make MILLIONS as a stand up comedian! You crack me up! I really really really…love this card. The special detail of the sunburst framelit, added with the piece down the middle, as well as that little bit of detail on the corner, well, it’s just great. I also adore the colors….very nice. Thanks for your inspiration and of course, your wonderful sense of humor! 🙂

  19. Oh, this is so pretty! I love it!

  20. Simply beautiful! Instantly brought to mind other papers that could be used for that strip. What a great suggestion for a “go to” layout for a quick card for the occasion, no matter what it is. I always like your cards, but there’s just something about this one that jumped up and hugged me! LOL Thanks for the inspiration.

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