Friday, July 13, 2012

'Tis the Season

Happy weekend, everyone,

Before I share today's card, I have to tell you hubby wasn't quite as impressed by the bang I got for my bucks with my jean pocket card as I was. Remember how I was so happy about the deal I'd gotten on the die cuts, the Core paper, and the brads? Well, hubby asked me about the cost of the tools I used -- actually the cost of all the supplies (Hmmm... Scotch tape gun, Martha Stewart scoring board, Fiskars rotary cutter, punches, embossing folders, embossing machine, embossing powders, Versamark and ink pads, heat gun, gel pens, scissors, ...) I have stashed in the Menopause Room (aka my craft room). Seems as though I'm supposed to include the cost of all these things when figuring the cost of a jean pocket card.

What a dear, silly man. I so adore him, but he just doesn't get it. Actually one of his most endearing qualities is that he is so supportive of my crafting endeavors  in spite of it all. Chances are this sounds like someone you know.  :) 


Now for today's card.

OWH MWT + CFC61 = Three Times as Bright

If you are visiting from CAS-ual Fridays,  you might be wondering why in the world there is a Christmas card posted for this week's challenge. Well, the answer to that question can be found at this week's Midweek Throwdown Challenge for Operation Write Home.

Bazzill Preppie paper; Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder; leaf punch; sentiment: ???

A few tricks/techniques employed and choices made when creating this card:
  •  Since this is a card for OWH, I used a white base. (Our troops may have only pencils for writing their notes homes.)
  • After embossing the strips, I used a gold gel pen to add a little extra sparkle. 
  • To make the flames, I heat embossed a small piece of purple paper using gold power. Then I punched out the flames using a small leaf punch.
  •  Ribbons were secured to the back of each strip using Scotch ATG tape.
  • The flames were attached using pop dots and the strips were attached using 3D glue dots, placing one dot on each card directly over the ribbon.
  • While I chose to place all three strips vertically, I purposely tilted the flames at slightly different angles.
  • I positioned the sentiment to be the last thing seen as the eyes move across the card from the tallest candle to the shortest candle, moving from left to right and top to bottom.
  • Finally, I considered putting something in the top right portion of the card. But, I decided against it because I thought anything else would compete with the candles.
This card came together pretty quickly. It seems like a good design for "mass production". So, I'm thinking this might be one of the designs I use to make my 2012 OWH Christmas cards. 

Parting Thoughts

Next post will be a shout-out to my employer for its generous support of non-profits.

Until then, thanks for stopping by and happy scrappin'!

6 comments:

JoAnn Ross said...

LOL about your hubby! Mine and I have an unspoken deal: I don't ask what the four full sized wooden boats, pens, and bowls cost and he doesn't blink when the UPS man brings another crafting package. You used those tools so beautifully for all the special details on your card and the pleasure it's going to bring the military family member recipient is priceless!

Sherry Hickey said...

Hi Sybrina, as soon as I can stop laughing over your post and your "Menopause Room" I want to tell you how beautiful your card is! So so glad I took a closer look because the purple and gold are gorgeous together! The 3 candles remind me of the 3 Wise Men...or am I over thinking? Lol.

Jan Hunnicutt said...

I love what you've done with your card, great use of the ribbon!

Thanks for playing in our Midweek Throwdown challenge at Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps!

Michele Gross said...

Beautiful card! I love the texture you added to your strips :) Thanks for having some fun with us at CAS-ual Fridays!

Kimberly said...

Sybrina - I love the way you used strips of cardstock to create these candles, and strips of ribbon around them. The colors are lovely together too. Thank you so much for playing along with us at CAS-ual Fridays!

Christina said...

What a wonderful idea to use the embossed strips for candles! I love the touches of gold. Thanks for sharing this with us at CAS-ual Fridays!