It’s Thursday, so let’s get ready to “Play @ PPA!” I just love a good inspiration photo, don’t you? How about this one to get your creative juices flowing!
When I first saw this, I thought to myself…”Hey, I would love to have these pillows!” The colors were so relaxing. And then my creative mind started to work in its own convoluted little way. What you are viewing is actually card attempt number two. The original had a macrame hammock made from Stampin’ Up!’s Hemp Twine, which as you could guess was too bulky. So one hammock later, I scrapped that idea and took out my Paper Piercer and recreated the diamond effect of the hammock instead. Then I had another crazy idea…grab the Linen Thread and back stitch the entire thing! Now I must say that this was probably not the brightest idea I have ever had in light of the time that it took me to stitch the background. And the problem was that I wasn’t sure that I really liked it after I had it completed. Has that ever happened to you? But you know what? With several hours of piercing and hand-stitching already invested in this card…not counting the abandoned macrame hammock…I decided to stick with it. Sometimes when you have already traveled so far down the road, there is no turning back. So, relax, pour yourself a glass of iced tea, put your feet up, and enjoy this week’s Pals Paper Arts challenge!
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:
- Piercing dysfunctional? I used to be until I purchased Stampin’ Up!’s Mat Pack, complete with template. Punch perfect holes every time! And if you are also BPD (Brad Placement Dysfunctional), this is the tool for you. Perfect alignment every time!
- Yipes stripes! Strips of scrap card stock in hues of Bashful Blue, Cameo Coral, Basic Black, Certainly Celery and Going Gray were adhered to a piece of card stock using the Two-Way Glue Pen. This was the perfect adhesive for this task since it has a “slide factor” which allowed me to position the strips tightly together. Glue, let dry, and then cut to size. What a perfect way to use up your scraps!
- Pretty posies all in a row! The “Flower” image from Hello Again was inked using Stampin’ Write Markers. In each case, I used Old Olive for the stem and leaf, while the flower colors corresponded to the five stripe colors.
- Relax! Luckily for me, “relax” has five letters which just happen to fit perfectly as the centers of the five flowers. And relaxation is exactly the vibe I got from the inspiration picture. Rough Type, from the Summer Mini, coupled with the 1/2″ Circle Punch, was my alphabet set of choice.
When we put it all together…pillows, a hammock, a beautiful day…it’s time to relax and smell the flowers while getting inspired to play at the PPA! I will guarantee that this week’s Inspiration Cards are stunning! And be sure to take a look at Mary’s…I am! It is sitting right in front of me on the table. And what are we celebrating? My retirement, which becomes official tomorrow!
So please, let me know what you think about today’s card by leaving me a comment. And remember, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, don’t hesitate to EMAIL me. Until next time…
Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7
Stamp Sets: Hello Again (113780), Rough Type (W 118659; C 120072—Summer Mini); Card Stock: Mellow Moss textured (108695—Soft Subtles Assorted), Bashful Blue textured (106549—Soft Subtles Assorted), Certainly Celery textured (108695—Soft Subtles Assorted), Cameo Coral (100475), Going Gray textured (108693—Naturals assorted), Basic Black textured (108693—Naturals assorted), Naturals White (102316); Inks: Jet Black StazOn (101406); Stampin’ Write Markers: Cameo Coral (100074), Certainly Celery (105106), Basic Black (100082), Bashful Blue (105111), Old Olive (100079); Tools: Paper Piercer (116631), Mat Pack (105826), 1/2″ Circle Punch (104390), Two Way Glue Pen (); Glitz and Glam: Linen Thread (104199)
Very clever use of the alphabet as the flower centers. Spectacular background. Hugs, Mary
I love the backstitching on the card, but I agree too much work. May the Lord bless each day ahead with joy beyond measure
blessings
patti moffett
Ann, I love this card. The flowers with the letters are just perfect. And the linen thread – mind boggling.
Wow—teacher must = patience! No wonder you are retiring! Love the card and the fact that you kept going with it!
Oh my. What a lot of work you put into this card. I don’t know that I would have the patience. Hope the person you send it to appreciates all your hard work.
Hi ANN!!! Happy Retirement to you! I’m so happy for you! Hope you enjoy your last day and this next adventure in life! Your card is INCREDIBLE as always! Love the stitched background and the flowers are so sweet! Maybe you’ll get some free time this weekend to Relax! Thanks for all that you do and how much you care and inspire others! Hugs to you!
Wowzers, when I first looked at this card, all I saw were the letters….then on second glance, I saw all the STITCHING! I am glad you hung in there…..that would NOT have been something I would have attempted!!! 😀 See now, I would not want to give it away..I would just want to prop it up somewhere and LOOK at it!
ABsolutely GORgeous! Time well spent. I have one question: Can I sip a glass of wine instead of tea? Tee Hee!
Wow! Ann, your card is beautiful. You certainly put a lot of time into making it and it shows. I love this card!
Mary
Ann, I love your card – and yes, it is now time for you to relax. I did put a shout out to you on my blog last night, but please would you send me your physical address in an email?
Good luck tomorrow. It will be an emotional day for you and I’ll be thinking about you.
hugs
jaydee
Well your time paid off! It’s beautiful, I bet it did take quite a while to create but, well worth it. I love the RELAX, I guess you are ready for some of that.
Where do you come up with your terrific ideas? I’m afraid that if I spent that much time on a card, it probably would be staying with me. You could frame it & use it to remind yourself that retirement is terrific with plenty of days to “relax”.
Oh no you didn’t! Please tell me you didn’t HAND STITCH that diamond design. I liked the look until I found out how you did it. Well, when you officially retire you’ll have all kinds of time to make this design times 50 for my Summer Party! LOL
Beautiful job – as always!
Mike
Holy Cow – that stitching is perfect. Well worth the time – I love that card!
Cynthia
Ann this is a brilliant card…even if you think you don’t or maybe don’t like it (so much). I love the process of thinking and debating you went through…it tells us we are all human. It is SO rich…again, are you SURE it is SU (lol) Your time was worth it for the beauty it is. Wow…you just might be worth a flight! let me know if you ever have a weekend workshop K?
Well, I can see it would take a lot of work! Stitching through paper is a lot harder than stitching through fabric. It looks fabulous, though! Dare I say it “makes” the card. After your warning…I try to resist trying it myself!
Ann, I know this card took you a long time to create, but it’s magnificent! I love every detail and recreating the look of the hammock is ingenious! You always amaze me! Wonderful take on the photo!
Very pretty, Ann.
Great inspired card.
Wow, Ann! it’s beautiful. Love the diamond stitches.
OOH! I LOVE THIS! Perfect inspiration to make some type of sign that when I (or others look at it), I will take a few minutes to RELAX and REFLECT and REFRESH! Thank you SOO MUCH!
Love the stitching! You are so creative! I love this card!
OMG! What a stunner! I can only imagine the time that you put into making this card. However, the results were certainly worth it. You deserve a medal for this one! Congratulations on your retirement! I will be looking forward to more masterpieces. ~Bonnie~
Another work of art…I can’t believe you stitched that “hammock”! Brilliant and beautiful, just like you! XO
Ann, you card is so awesome. I love it. I love detail too. Hugs,
Amazing – just amazing! You deserve to relax after completing this masterpiece! I love everything about it – even the stitching 🙂
I’m so glad you stuck with it! This is a fabulous card–the background is the first thing that I noticed. I am sure it was a ton of work, but what a great effect! 😀
Wow…I knew retirement would give you time to make some fab cards. You have sooooo much talent. I imagine you were a great teacher too.I hope making cards will help keep your mind off school. Relax enjoy…you deserve it!! Keep on Stamping yeah!
Hugs Yvonne
OMG!!! Ann, I can’t imagine the time it must of have taken to make this card. It looks spectacular!!!I love how you created the pillow effect using linen thread.. Now you can truly sit back and relax….lol I love seeing your creations you are so talented…
hugs
Darlene-Joy