Four Ways Friday #54 - Notably Ornate

This week's Four Ways Friday focuses on using the Notably Ornate stamp set.  I've decided to post the cards from the most simple to the most complex so you can see how you can use this set to build layers and add interest to your cards!

I love images that look beautiful when stamped repeatedly on a card and this bird image is one!  Here I just stamped the bird image multiple times, in full and half strength, onto Whisper White card stock with Marina Mist ink.  The greeting was then stamped using Early Espresso ink.  So simple and so peaceful :)

This second card required stamping and a small bit of cutting.  Here I stamped the parts of the oval image that I wanted by inking those parts of the stamp using a Bravo Burgundy marker.  I centered the image on the Very Vanilla card stock using the stamp-a-ma-jig.  I then stamped the "M" from the Lovely Letters Alphabet onto a scrap piece of Very Vanilla card stock using Bravo Burgundy ink and cut it out with a hobby blade.  The monogram was then popped up on the card using pieces of dimensionals.  Finally I added a self-adhesive rhinestone for some bling.

For this third card I added a few more elements/layers.  Here I began by stamping the ornate line image onto the card base using black ink.  I then used some sticky strip to add the Very Vanilla seam binding ribbon to the left edge.  It is easy to ruffle the ribbon when you use the sticky strip!  I tied the bottom of the ribbon with a small piece of thread.  I then inked up the part of the oval image that I wanted using my black marker and stamped it onto Naturals Ivory card stock.  Using the stamp-a-ma-jig, I then centered the greeting from Just Believe in the center of the oval and stamped using black ink.  The oval was punched out using the extra large oval punch and a tiny rhinestone was added for some sparkle!  This oval was then mounted with dimensionals onto a piece of black card stock that was punched out using the decorative label punch.  This was then added to the card front using glue.

For this final card I added even more layering!  The Pink Pirouette card base was run through the Big Shot with the Framed Tulips embossing folder.  I then die cut a piece of Confetti card stock using the Top Note die.  The ornate lined image was stamped on the Top Note die cut using Early Espresso ink.  The edges were the sponged, also using Early Espresso ink.  Next I stamped the bird, using Early Espresso ink, onto Confetti card stock and cut the bird out with scissors.  The bird was then added to the card using dimensionals.  The oval image was stamped onto a piece of Confetti card stock and punched out with the extra large oval punch.  The edges of the oval were sponged with Early Espresso ink.  The greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes was stamped in Early Espresso onto Confetti card stock and then punched out with the Modern Label punch.  The edges were sponged and small self-adhesive pearls were added before adhered the greeting to the oval with dimensionals.  A piece of Early Edition designer paper was punched out using the Decorative Label punch and then I sponged the entire piece with Early Espresso ink.  This was added to the card using glue and then the oval was added on top of this piece, also using glue.  Finally, although it is difficult to see in the photo, I added dazzling diamonds to some of the flourishes to give the card some sparkle!
I hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday!  I do appreciate your stopping by!  I hope you have a fabulous and very creative weekend!!!!!

Artistic Etchings Catalog Inspiration Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Improvise!

improvise |ˈimprəˌvīz| -  verb [ trans. ] • produce or make (something) from whatever is available.

Today's card is about being able to improvise!  My friend Meg invited me over to do some stamping and to specifically stamp some thank you cards.  She really liked the inspiration card on p.76 of the 2010 Idea Book & Catalog that used the Chic Boutique stamp set.  Neither of us, however, had the Chic Boutique set so we decided to improvise with what we did have!  Sometimes you just have to improvise!
To make this version of the card we combined the flourish stamp from the retired Bliss (SAB) stamp set along with the Eiffel Tower from the Artistic Etchings stamp set.  The greeting was from another retired set called Carte Postale.  The flourish was stamped in Sahara Sand on Whisper White card stock and then cut out.  The Eiffel Tower was stamped using Chocolate Chip, as was the greeting.  We also used Pacific Point textured card stock and designer paper.  We hope you like our improvisation :)

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  My Dreams Are Trying To Tell Me Something...I Just Wish I Could Figure Out What!

There are some people who have the pleasure of having few or no nightmares.  I, unfortunately, am not one of them :(  There are a few recurring themes in my nightmares and the other day one showed up that had me waking up totally stressed out!  The short version is that I was being chased and trying my best to run away and hide and call for help all at the same time.  So now I'm wondering what it is that is chasing me and what is it that I am running from?  Maybe the fear of committing myself fully to a creative life?  Maybe I'm just trying to fit exercise into my sleep on those days where I don't fit it into my waking hours?  Next time the dream/nightmare shows up...and I anticipate it will...I need to stop running and turn around in my nightmare and ask the person why they are chasing me - maybe then I will have my answer.  I will keep you posted!  Hopefully I'll get some good hours of sleep in the meantime!  I wish for restful sleep for you as well :)
Today's card is another simple card that you can make in a matter of minutes.  I stamped the hummingbird from Elements Of Style using Marina Mist and then cut it out (that's the most time-intensive part of this card).  Then I took a strip of First Edition Specialty designer series paper and adhered it to the Whisper White card base using glue.  The "thank you" is from Teeny Tiny Wishes and was stamped in black with the help of the stamp-a-ma-jig.  The bird was then popped up on the card using dimensionals.  I hope you like it!

Artistic Etchings Simply Stamping Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Patience Really Can Be A Choice!

I won't give you all the details - let's just say that I was just trying to reach customer service at a company and ended up being on hold, listening to that lovely "make my mind numb" music for enough time to have birthed a child!  Okay, maybe not that long...but it sure felt like it.  There were a few moments where I was ready to hang up.  A few moments where I was ready to shout profanities at the first human voice I would hear.  And a few moments where I teetered on the edge and chose to just relax and do some computer work while the muzak played in my ear.  I'm glad I chose not to react and rather to sit back and enjoy patience.  I didn't get worked up - I did get some computer work done - and, in the end, I believe my issue will be resolved to my satisfaction (they need to do some work on their end and get back to me tomorrow).  So yes, patience can really be a choice - if you breathe long enough to realize the choice is yours for the taking! :)
Today's card is all about simply stamping...ooh - and a little dazzling diamonds!  You really can make a quick and easy card that packs a punch!  I paired the crown image from Artistic Etchings with the greeting from Bring On The Cake.  Both were stamped with Jet Black Staz-On with a little help from the stamp-a-ma-jig on Whisper White card stock.  I added a touch of dazzling diamonds with a 2-way glue pen.  Can't wait to give this card to someone for their birthday!!!!!  Hope you like it!

Tie-Dye Friends 24-7 Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Watch And Learn

Every once in awhile I'll happen upon a video that inspires me to try a new technique!  That happened on Sunday when I came across this video by a woman named Rachel on YouTube.  She calls the technique the Bandanna Technique due to the use of black stamped images, application of vibrant colors, and the addition of a white gel pen.  To complete this card I used the following stamp sets:  Friends 24-7, En Francais, and Solid Stripes.  I'm not sure I'm 100% pleased with the outcome.  At the same time, I really enjoyed trying something new and getting my fingers inky :)  I may have to practice again!  Watch Rachel's video to learn how to put a card like this together....you might just learn something new and be inspired to give it a try!  Thanks Rachel! :)