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.

Stamp Camp #4 - Birthday Spinner

Images (c) Stampin' Up 2011

Game spinners bring back memories of board games and fun family nights together. Now you can add a game spinner to a greeting card with these fun papercrafting hands, brads and washers (121893). It's fun - Give it a whirl!

These are some of the new supplies from the Occasions Mini Catalog that I used on this project:

1. Take a Spin Stamp Set, Clear Mount (122015) / Wood Mount (121937)
   
2. Circle Punch: 2-1/2" (120906)
3. Game Spinner Hands (121893)
   

If you have questions about any of the supplies or on the construction of this project, please feel free to email me or leave a comment. Don't forget to vote for your favorite (see poll in upper right).

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.

Stamp Camp #3 - Hinge Card

Images (c) Stampin' Up 2011

Don't you love when cards open a different way? It adds just the right amount of unexpected happiness.


This card opens by creating a swinging hinge using one of those cute Fabric Designer Brads (121880).



And, what could make this card happier than glitter? I just adore the Glimmer Paper (121790). It's simple and easy to use - and looks great with both Real Red or Cherry Cobbler. Just punch out the accent that you want and adhere it to your project. It's super sparkly - and the best part? No glitter on your face when you're done using it! (Well, maybe not YOUR face... but I always have sparkles going on when I'm using glitter.)

These are some of the new supplies from the Occasions Mini Catalog that I used on this project:

1. Valentine Defined Stamp Set, Clear (123057)
2. Fabric Designer Brads (121880)
3. Seam Binding Ribbon 1/2" - Cherry Cobbler (120992)
4. Circle Punch: 2-1/2" (120906)
5. Glimmer Paper (121790)

If you have questions about any of the supplies or on the construction of this project, please feel free to email me or leave a comment. Don't forget to vote for your favorite (see poll in upper right).

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.