Elegant Purple Eggplant

Isn't this the season of eggplants and zucchini's?  Since I was making projects this month - with the theme,  "Out of the Garden" - Elegant Eggplant seemed like the best choice for this monochromatic card.  I suppose, it's one more excuse for me to bring my favorite color onto my craft table:  Elegant Eggplant!

What do I love about monochromatic cards?
1.  Easy color combo!
2.  Surely, I can find just 1 favorite color to use...
3.  Offers an elegant and/or serious nature to the card.

I was inspired by someone's website - (and now must hunt it down to show you - but I will) - to create a water-colored design on an embossed image.  I used the aqua painter to pull ink off of the coordinating Elegant Eggplant stamp pad and lightly dab into the petals of the Flower Garden embossing folder.  To finalize the edges, I sponged Elegant Eggplant ink around the sides of the card.

So glad you could stop by.
Have a wonderful day!
Luci

I Love a "Sale"

I am just enjoying the use of this single stamp, Sail Away, from SU's mini catalog.  I was inspired by Mary Brown's use of masking and sponging to create the sunset scene.  I used designer paper for the sails.  The waves have a touch of white gel pen, if you look closely:

And, I picked up the stitched grossgrain ribbon from SU's clearance rack.  I though it had just the right amount of white stitching to match the waves!  I love a sale... or is it... sail?!

Thanks for visiting.
Have a peaceful day!
Luci

KISS: Keep it Simple Sweetie

Wishing for time you simply don't have?  In a simple answer... yes!  Sometimes keeping it simple is the way to go. 

Minimalistic designing, though, can be a challenge.  Here's a quick recipe for keeping cards simple:

1. Find a tiny focal point.
2. Frame it in the center of your card 
3. Add a relatively small sentiment below the small image.
4. Don't be afraid to crop the image.
5. If it is too simple for your taste, add a simple embellishment (see my tiny flower below).

Here's a digital card I made for GCU.  I wanted to focus on the hands playing the guitar.  Other ways to embellish this card is to create a little texture in the background.

So, give it a go and kiss something today.   It simply may be the most fun you have with the little time you have!

Have a happy day,

Luci

A New Day

Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.
Henry David Thoreau

It's been a while and a few challenges since my last post.  But, my want to create and inspire has been aflame.  Lately, my photography has helped me to focus (no pun intended) on the beauty in the most simplistic of everyday sights.

Recently, I traveled to a mining town in Pennsylvania.  With abandoned mines, no longer is it a booming middle class town.  In its current state of decay, one resident sadly put it, "Once thriving, this is a dying town, with the population decreasing each year."  Nonetheless, overlooking a parking lot was a glorious sunset where the tops of the mountains could be seen from one end of the camera lens to the other.  I was quite literally blown away (as there were tornadoes in the making for that evening).  Inspired by a hero caretaker, I created this card for her.   Above is a sneak peak (uploaded to Greeting Card Universe, soon to be approved).

I hope this day brings you joy. 
Luci

Grunge-y Spring Card

Waking up to snow again after spending a Friday (in February) at the beach should not be a surprise to me. However, I am so ready for Spring.  So, in that spirit, I chose to do a grunge-y looking spring card, following this CAS107 challenge on SCS.  While the card looks like it is square-like, it is actually the standard 4.25 x 5.5 inches.
 

I just love that tiny butterfly and those pretty little pearls - it's all about the accessories!  Stampin Up sells these self-adhesive pearls for $4.95 - and you get 150 of them!

Here are some of the supplies I used:

1. Fifth Avenue Foral, Clear (113734)
2. Beautiful Wings Stampin' Up! Embosslits Die  (118138)
3. Basic Pearls Jewel Accents (119247)

Thanks for stopping by.  If you have questions, please feel free to email me or leave a comment.
Be Happy,
Luci

P.S. - The SALE•A•BRATION Promotion is running from now until March 31, 2011. Pick up your free products from this catalog for every $50 order! It's a once-a-year fabulous time to stock up on stamps and supplies.

Basket of Hearts

I cannot get enough of this Valentine Defined set - even though Valentine's day has passed.  And, how many ways can you use that adorable cupcake punch?  The use of basket was inspired by a fellow demonstrator, Marlene Salvato.  I stamped the grass in Wild Wasabi and removed the green hearts with a baby wipe.  Then, I colored in the hearts with Elegant Eggplant.  I popped the basket with a dimensional.  I'm feeling, though, that Crumb Cake is my new gray (see next post).

Here are some of the supplies I used:

1. Valentine Defined Stamp Set, Clear (123057)
2. Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die (121809)
3. Create a Cupcake Stamp Set, Clear (121982)
4. Build a Cupcake Punch (121807)

If you have questions, please feel free to email me or leave a comment.
Be happy,
Luci

P.S. - The SALE•A•BRATION Promotion is running from now until March 31, 2011. Pick up your free products from this catalog for every $50 order! It's a once-a-year fabulous time to stock up on stamps and supplies.



 

Gray is the New Black

Move over "little black dress" - here comes gray!  Still not sure if I am pleased with the idea of a happy tree on a gray background, but it certainly is different from what I normally design.  My favorite part is the sanded background with the heart-grass in the corner.  I love how that sanded background gives this card that edge-y grunge-y look.  Here are some supplies I used:

1.  Circle Punch: 2-1/2" (120906)
2.  Valentine Defined Stamp Set, Clear (123057)
3.  Sanded Background Stamp (109294)
4.  Scallop Border (119882)
5.  Butterfly Embosslet (118138)
6.  Basic Gray Cardstock - of course! (121044)

Thanks for stopping by today.  If you have questions, please feel free to email me or leave a comment.
Be happy,
Luci

P.S. - The SALE•A•BRATION Promotion is running from now until March 31, 2011. Pick up your free products from this catalog for every $50 order! It's a once-a-year fabulous time to stock up on stamps and supplies.