Mama Needs a NEW Pair of Shoes

Hello and Welcome!!  I hope you are enjoying the weather in your neck-of-the-woods.  As today's designer for the Card A Day Blog, I was very happy to have to stay inside to make my card.  We've been having plenty of hot, hot days this summer, and I just don't do well in extreme temps anymore.

This week's theme at CADB is 'NEW'; new job, new home, new whatever.  When I started thinking about my card I was hoping to come up with something just a little bit different.  I thought about new hat and new dress, but then I remembered some fun stamps I've had for awhile of shoes.  That's the idea that really grabbed me.  Upon looking at the stamps again, I found the ideal sentiment for this week's theme.  You'll see what I mean.  Here's your first look:

These first two pictures give you a close look at just two of the shoe stamps I used.  I wanted different colors to match all my outfits (heehee) so I used colors from the background dp.

I had been playing with some of my punches recently, and that left me with some miscellaneous punched elements.  I happened to have one that was the perfect fit for tiling my shoes.  Let's take a peek:

Here you can see the multicolored background with solid-colored framing that matches the card base.  In the next shot you get a better idea of the whole card front.

I mentioned that the stamp set I used had a perfect sentiment.  Here it is:

This card would be perfect for someone who just needs a little pick-me-up.  Here is your straight-on front view:

The sentiment and the focal shoe were both heat embossed with Stampendous 'Detail Black'and mounted with foam tape for just a tiny bit of extra dimension.  This card measures 5" x 7".

Nitty-Gritty:
          Stamps:  Pink by Design 'Shoe Addict' and 'Designer Shoes' sets
          Paper:  K&Company (dp) and Recollections (card base), stash white
          Punch:  Martha Stewart corner and edge (sorry, I don't have the name.)
          Ink:  Versamark, Memento 'New Sprout', Memories Direct 'Pink', Stampin' Up 'Wisteria Wonder' and 'Bashful Blue'

FYI for anyone who might be visiting for the first time:  We have new themes weekly and challenges - with prizes - every month at the CADB.  Hope you'll stop by and play along!

Remember to always keep your creative genius happy and well-fed!!

CHRISTINE

IT'S GOOD TO BE GREEN

Well, yes, I know it isn't St. Patrick's day, but I'm the designer today for the Card A Day Blog, and our theme for this week is 'MONOCHROMATIC.'  Per dd's request, I have used various shades of the wonderful and soothing color of GREEN to make my card.  So, please don't be green with envy because you didn't get to hit the green for a round of golf, and don't let your kids turn green with a sick tummy because you let them eat too many green apples.  Just sit back with a nice cup of green tea, and enjoy a few moments with me.

I have several dies in my stash that have been feeling neglected, and I thought this would be a great time to bring some of them out to use for a little layering.  The particular dies I had in mind come from the Spellbinders "Mix & Match Classic Edges and Inserts" collection, and my idea was to use them to layer papers for my card front.  I had lots of fun looking for different green papers; it was really hard not to go too crazy choosing papers - I stopped at ten plus one for the base.  I was aiming for a fun mix of solids and patterns in a nice range of green hues.  Here is your first look at the front:

This picture is a close-up to show the different cuts of the dies.  Each edge was used twice because I have six different inserts and only three edges (There are more in the Spellbinders collection.).  After I die cut the papers, using my Cuttlebug, and decided on the placement, I mounted them on a mat, and then cut that piece to size for the card front. To finish it off nicely I used a scallop punch on the top edge.  (The mat is the very light green at the bottom.)  I compared several greens for the card base to choose the one that would best frame the colors used in the front piece.  Here is the full front view:

Since the front piece was already quite busy, I didn't want to clutter it up with embellishments, so I simply threaded a thin ribbon through one of the die cut patterns before mounting to the base.  I have left the card without a sentiment because, as you will see, it can be used for many occasions with an appropriate sentiment being added when needed.

In this angled photo you get a hint of the surprise inside the card.  Yes, there is a gift card pocket inside.

I inserted a piece cut from the front to bring some interest to the inside of the card.  The mat supports the gift card pocket and provides a light space for a signature.  The pocket is simply cut and folded to size with the top punched using the same scallop punch used earlier.  Everything was affixed using my ATG.

If I had been thinking more quickly I would have made the decorative strip into a bookmark, thereby making the card two gifts in one!!  Ah well, perhaps next time.

Here is your list of supplies:

          Papers:  Solids=Stampin' Up for card base, DCWV Lemon Flower, Sizzix Little Sizzles Pastels, Bazzill Pastels, Recollections Colored Core.  Patterns=My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary, Sizzix Little Sizzlets Pastels, K&Company Watercolor Bouquet

          Dies:  Spellbinders Edgeabilities Mix & Match Classic Edges One and Classic Decorative Inserts One and Two

          Paper Punch:  EK Success Scalloped Scallops

Thanks for visiting today, and always keep your creative genius happy and well-fed!

CHRISTINE