My card today is about as wild and crazy as I get with cards. What happened was that about a year ago, I bought this beautiful embossed green paper with a fantastic embroideryish loop border all the way around. I bought it online and I bought cough sheets of it. The problem is, unless you make a card that's 11x11, you have to cut it, which breaks up the awesome border and, I don't know, I wasn't very keen on it after I cut it.
Today I found a way around that problem and it came about after I saw the current Merry Monday Christmas Card Club challenge, which is to use green and white with woodgrain.
I used to dislike green after being saturated with olive shag carpets and appliances in the 70s, but green is my most popular color in the Playhouse; more paper, more ribbon, more markers. I didn't consciously think about how much green I was accumulating over the years, it just happened. Turns out I love green, and I fell hard in love with that inspiration photo, so I knew I had to play.
For my sketch, I turned to a renown sketch challenge, Mojo Monday. I haven't played there for a while and it's nice to be back. The current sketch is one I will use again in the future.
Thus armed, I made this:
No, no, it's not an 11x11 card. Who would you give an 11x11 card to, do you spose? Santa Baby for sure. The Jolly Green Giant, of course. Paul Bunyan. King Kong. That robot in The Day the Earth Stood Still (Klackto?).
To "shrink" my beautiful paper, I cut it into fourths. Then I cut each quarter down to 2.25 inches and I taped them back together on the back. I did it pretty seamlessly, too, if I may crow, which ended up being for naught because I immediately thereafter realized that I needed to cover it. Sadly, putting on the white top layer also covered up the pretty embossing, but it was necessary for this design. The process was a bit fussy, but I was happy to do it in order to use the paper.
(I think there are edge and corner punches that can be used to walk all the way around any size of card, but you know I was prolly at the wrong depot the day that train came by.)
Even tho I squared my card, I hope you can still see the original sketch inspiration. I attached the green to a PTI white card base, so at a glance, it looks like white stitching all the way around.
~~~
We had a lovely time Sunday taking the tour of the twins' new rooms replete with loft beds with awesome desks, yellow for Henry, blue for Adam, and chairs that fold out into beds for sleepovers. We went out to eat at one of our favorite restaurants, reminiscent of a supper club, where we were entertained by a pianist while we dined on scrumdiddlyicious food.
The quality of this photo leaves a lot to be desired, but here we are, happy as clams:
 |
| Dan, Mister, Henry, Me, Adam, Rachel |
~~~
I hope you're as happy as a clam wherever you are! Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy. LITS!*
As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment and/or join as a follower!
*Life Is Too Short!
Paper: unknown
Stamp: Papertrey Ink, "Think Big
Favorites #9' pine needles by SU!
Ink: Marvy old olive; SU! markers
The knothole EF was run off by a friend,
so I don't know the manufacturer
60 comments:
Oh that is lovely Darnell! And I can totally understand both why you had to have the paper, and why you struggled to use it until now!
I have similar issues with stunningly beautiful paper pads that unfortunately are distressed around the edges and just look wrong all cut up. Doesn't stop me for just looking at the pretty though, lol. x
Beautiful card Darnell, love your design and the way you managed to cut the paper and keep the border is genius! Lovely family pic too :) Cathy x
Nice to see you, Darnell, looks like a nice event too.
Love your card, such pretty colours too.
I remember Klaatu from the Day the earth stood still - with Michael Rennie, the remake was RUBBISH by comparison!
Kathyk
Hi Darnell! Clever way to use that paper, I just found this tip a few days ago as well. You did it beautifully. And a great card as a result too.
Oh yes, Mizz Martha Stewart makes punch around the page sets, and I have a few. And there are clever weaselly ways to fathom out how to use them right down to one repetition of the smallest bit of the pattern rather than the wider 'chunks' which come with the set instructions. But hey, as you say, LITS and mostly I don't do PATP :(
Love the family photo - a happy and cosy gathering.
Hugs, Di xx
Hi Darnell, what an absolutely brilliant interpretation of the sketch!! Love the tree and love the border around the card even more. You have done an excellent (gold star for you!) job on the joining up. Well done for cutting into the paper too. Gorgeous card.
Love the photo too, what a beautiful family you are. Hugs, Annie xx
Wonderful card Darnell. I love tree and fabulous frame around it.
Such a gorgeous family photo, you all look so happy!
hugs Sue xx
Love the border on your card. It was worth the effort and I did think you had stitching on it. Super pic of your family too. x
I love your border on this card Darnell, and it was definitely worth the time it took to achieve this look...just perfect! And your stamping's beautiful too. Lovely, lovely card! :0)
Oh wow! Darnell, your card is fantastic! I love everything about it! This is a winner for sure. :-)
The texture on the trunk of the tree is fantastic. The delicate pine needles look wonderful too!
Such a great family photo! You all look so happy.
Stunning and beautiful Darnell, I love the tree, and beautiful border.
luvirene
xxxx
I think we've all been there Darnell, bought something then thought now what do I do with it LOL! You triumphed though and come out on the other end with a pretty card!! Love the family photo too ;)
Perfect use of that fancy card - it feels festive yet peaceful - perfect for Christmas! And a great photo of your clam-family!
Holy wow, Darnell !!!!! That's fantabulous!!!
The details & "stitching" are exquisite -- & I can still see areas peeking out !!
Green is one of my faves, too!! :))
Hope you are continuing to recover nicely -- so glad you were able to enjoy some quality time with the fam!
Looks like a great night of fun!!
:)) xo
Wow, great idea to cut up the paper and piece it together. You did a good job. Love the branches. What a nice family you have.
I think all paper crafters have a collection of paper that we just cannot cut into - excellent job bringing yours down to size and using it!
I think all paper crafters have a collection of paper that we just cannot cut into - excellent job bringing yours down to size and using it!
Gorgeous Christmas card Darnell, love the paper! Glad you had a good and happy time with the twinks! Karen x
So bold of you to actually use that special paper. I have loads that I shall probably never use because no one else would really appreciate it quite as much as me.
Your family look really fun.
Beautiful card...and another great story...loved the pic with you and the family! Memories to share and cherish!!
Gorgeous card, it was worth all the work! The photo is lovely too! xx
Beautiful card and fun times with family - you just can't beat it!!!
Lynn
You worked wonders "downsizing" the scalloped paper - there is not a single sign of "altering"!!! And the stamping is gorgeous (as is the pic of your beautiful family!).
I do see the sketch and I love the tree. The border is beautiful and I'm glad it worked out cutting it up. I never buy those things for the very reason it's difficult to work with in a smaller format.
What a relief to know I'm not alone in buying *cough* sheets of paper where one feature has caught my eye (like the 12 X 12 sheets with ONE bike on ONE corner!). You have worked magic with your special paper; your card is a gorgeous take on the challenge! And speaking of gorgeous - you and your family, for sure!! What a fabulous photo!!
c
Pretty card. Clever girl...I can never get the punch around the page right, so that's why I don't use them. I had to look twice to see you among the kids, you look so young and petite...like a kid yourself:)
Be well C
Ooh, this is so serene, Darnell ... wonderful colours and the texture on the tree trunk is fantastic! Lovely picture of you all enjoying being together! Anita :)
Hi Dolly. Gorgeous card! Love your tree and pine branches - beautiful! Amazing work at piecing together your fancy frame for the card ... it really is seamless - you did good!! Thanks for joining us at Merry Monday! Lolly xx
Darnell- this is fabulous!! I love how you used the MM sketch and that paper - so perfectly seamless and stunning!
Darnell, Your are a card maker, extraordinar!!!!!!! You always seem to go above and beyond with your creativy...One of kind cards!!!
(that is meant in a GOOD way...smile)
Do your remember my hairdresser card...the one you helped me with the inside wording? My hairdresser's birthday was yesterday and I gave her my card. She loved it, but I think she liked "Your" inside words even more!!! Thanks again.
You are simply too clever in the way you think to use your stash! I just love the edges of this card and how the white peeks through the holes! I thought at first it was stitching too! Gorgeous creation, and a fabulous, fun photo of happy people :) I likey :)
Lovely card, lovely family - you must be proud.
Darnell, you have outdone yourself with this one! I love the edge (and reading how you did it). The look of stitching is fantastic and the pine tree is gorgeous! You have captured that beautiful inspiration perfectly! And what a lovely family photo!
I had a long and serious day at work, Darnell and your post just brought some joy to my soul! Loved reading it through and I could picture you taping those squares together. What a fabby card you have made, love the border and the way you interpreted the MOJO sketch. Just fabulous!
Thanks for brightening my day.
Lesley
Look at all these great comments on your inspiring card. Loved reading your post! Thanks for sharing!
OH what a pretty little square card! I love it! And I also have more green than any other color in my room. Just bought three new green Memento pads today. Can't seem to find just the right green! haha! Lovely picture of you all too :)
Looks like you are all having a fabulous time! What a sweet family. Your card is a stunner...I love green and just about any shade of it but my all time favorite one is lime green. I love your squared card and the scalloped edges so fun and perfect for the holidays.
This really is beautiful paper. Awesome 'cut and paste'...literally! I was sure that you had used some embroidery cotton to create the faux stitching. The font of the sentiment works perfectly with the scalloped edge!
...ooops....fabulous photo! You are truly blessed with a loving family! The twinks are so darn cute!!!
What a great card-and your border sets it off perfectly!
Lovely pic of your lovely family too :)
Have a great day,Nessa xx
I came over from MOJO. This card is stunning! TFS it. Bernadette
GORGEOUS FAMILY Darnell!
Love your card!
TFS~
What a lovely card and I love the colours.
Dianne.
Very neat cutting and pasting, Darnell! Love that you matched the sentiment in green. (I keep waiting for the squirrel from your head to pop onto the branches.)
Oh, green is a favorite of mine too! Your card is gorgeous! Love how you created that wonderful border, complete with 'white stitching', from your paper. The texture on the tree and the pine needles look fantastic! Great photo too--TFS!
Outta sight creative and beautiful..wow!
Beautiful card Darnell, Thank you for joining us for Merry Monday this week.
Lovely card Darnell. Sorry, I haven't been in to make comments recently. My 93 year old dad has been in the hospital and then I have had to stay with him after getting out. Anyway, love what you did with your large paper, so pretty. What a lovely family picture also.
Such a beautiful card. I love the border on that paper. Nice family pic, too.
Such a pretty card. Love the border!
Very pretty card, Darnell! Love the border and your tree! Thanks for playing along with us this week over at Merry Mondays! :)
I just love the innovative way you have interpreted the challenge. Cutting into your gorgeous paper was totally worth it. Thanks so much for taking part in the Merry Monday Challenge.
Love the family picture! Nothing better that being with family and it shows.
Oh my gosh that card is amazing! I have one to post but why …you have the sure winner! wow!
Your card is amazing!!!
I love this card Darnell and love seeing you with the family!!
Dear Darnell, at the risk of going unnoticed (who on planet blog gets 55 comments????), just wnt to say this beautiful square card caught my eye for it's warmth, something very evident in the trigger photo. And so expertly done! BTW, your family is another treasure, and thank you for sharing such a warm pix with us!
Wow- such a fabulous card and I really admire the work you have put into this. It caught my eye immediately on the Merry Monday link up. That tree is perfect for the challenge. I have lots of green items too, maybe because it's such a calming colour?
Hi Darnell, Love the story,your tree trunk and the pine needles, lovely Christmas card and family. Thanks for joining us at Merry Monday.
Hi Darnell! I've been meaning to comment on this beauty for awhile now, for some reason , at Dunkin Donuts, your url comes up as being that of site if not-so-good reputation...if you KWIM...Great family pic too...btw...you do all look happy as clams!! :)
Super congrats!!! It does look like stitching!!
Post a Comment