CSAD #163

I volunteered over at the Card Sketch a Day blog in December to do a card off of a sketch. The one I received happens to be #163. I've had this card done since before Christmas, but didn't feel right sharing it until it went live on that site. Now the day has finally come!



I am really, really, really pleased with how this card turned out. It began as a challenge, I don't really have many Valentine Stamps on hand, and I'm not used to a sentiment being the main focus of a card. It went a long nicely till I hit a bump in the design when it came to the heart. I left it for a night and returned to it the next day to put it together. Have I mentioned I love how this turned out? :)

I ever so slightly distressed the edges of the pink striped and worded papers, given it a rougher edge, while the embossed flourishes on the white paper and the heart give it a bit of elegance. Hearing those words, distressed and elegant, you'd think it wouldn't go well, but I think it balances each other out nicely.



The pink papers I picked up in the Target dollar section last Valentine season, the red fabric hearts on a string I picked up in the Walmart discount section sometime before last Thanksgiving. They are not intended for paper crafts, I believe they came from the fabric department originally, but I love to combine materials in this craft. Just goes to show little works of art are all around you! I have no idea who makes the "all my love" stamp, I've had that in my stash since before I was seriously into card making. The flourishes on the white paper is clear ink and bridal embossing powder. I repeated the design on the heart, only using white pigment ink to help it stand out.



This is the first card that I really paid attention to the interior of it as well. I suppose creating this for my husband shortly after his return from Iraq had something to do with it. But it's an area I think needs to be paid attention to. Sometimes all you want to do is be finished with a card, it's challenging to do the inside as well. But I think it really sets a card apart.

Okay, I'm done rambling about this one. :) Thank you Susan for the opportunity to be a part of this! I hope I can participate in more!