Have you ever made a card and then decided that you didn’t like it, so you try to fix it? Well, that happened to me with this card. I wanted to create a card that was fairly Clean and Simple…and those of you who are regular readers know that I have a difficult time with Clean and Simple cards. I am so envious of those that are masters of this style. I also wanted to use this yummy color combination. But I “overly distressed” my card base, and I appeared to be “spatially challenged” in my ornament arrangement. But instead of pitching this card, I decided to try and save it. Enter Attempt #2!
I raised the ornaments and added a sentiment to fill up the “empty space”. I layered my labels, and added Basic Pearls. But now, the edges of the ornaments seemed a little too stark…and the Very Vanilla card base still looked like it had been attacked by a possessed Sponge Dauber. Plus, I really did not like the two Early Espresso bows at the tops of the ornaments. But by now, I had too much time invested to start from scratch. Enter Attempt #3:
I switched out the Very Vanilla card base with Cherry Cobbler…and I liked it better. I switched out the Early Espresso bows with Chantilly Crochet Lace Trim, and now I am not so sure that I didn’t like the two little Early Espresso bows better. I distressed the edges of the ornaments with Soft Suede and a Sponge Dauber…but once again that dauber had a mind of its own, and I over-distressed. I probably should have used Crumb Cake instead of Soft Suede for a softer touch. Now I wish that I would have left the ornaments the way they appeared in attempt #1. Enter my 4th and final attempt:
I removed the ornaments, and trimmed off the overly sponged borders with Paper Snips. I punched out two more ornaments with the Ornament Punch from Very Vanilla, and layered the Cherry Cobbler ones on top. The lace bows were replaced with new Early Espresso bows. And my “Not So Clean and Simple card was finally finished…I think!
Final Day for Blog Candy Giveaway
Just in case you missed my previous posts, I am giving away blog candy this week! It is delicious…and calorie-free! I have assembled a collection of this and that, and with the exception of the lace, it is all Stampin’ Up! Here is what you will be receiving:
- Over 50 6″ x 6″ pieces of Designer Series Paper (all from Patterns Pack III)
- 24 pieces of 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ printed paper from the Country Living Cards A La Carte kit
- One On Board Book…Bird (unopened)
- Approximately 10 yards of Sleigh Bells Ribbon
- 18 assorted Khaki Corduroy Brads and Buttons
- Floral Fusion Felt Flowers (Over 130 pieces)
- Crochet Lace Ribbon (Spare Parts, approximately 3 yards)
- One of my cards
I so often go through this same type of scenario. I love both cards, I think we are sometimes way too hard on ourselves, but I do it too. It has to be just right!
Creative stamping and blogging. I LOVE those colors and the pearls are a perfect embellie.
Ann, I love this post! I was laughing so hard at your “I had too much time invested to start from scratch” comment. I go through the same thing pretty much every time I create a card…it’s easy to just keep adding and changing things until it’s “just right”. All of your cards are just lovely though. I think I like the 4th card the best, if I had to pick one. I always enjoy visiting your blog to see your fabulous projects. Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
Ann,
This card is beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing your trials and errors with us.
Robbie
My favorite was the first one! Gorgeous!
Ann. I could not tell ANYthing was “wrong” or lopsided or at all too much on the first card! I would have totally been fine with attempt #1! You are too hard on yourself.
Well, I think every “attempt” you did was just gorgeous!! Thanks for the blog candy opportunity!! I think you’re great 🙂
Well your first card was perfectly lovely but I like the end result the best. It shows up better on the red background. I enjoyed the evolution of your card. I hope Muffy will be joining your family soon!
Good to know that seasoned stampers also have cards they don’t like the first time around . . .must say though, you have more perseverance than I do. I would have tossed it in the garbage and started a different card. 🙂 You do such nice work!
Great recovery, Ann! Ever think you are too critical of your own work? I’m thinking so but you definitely have patience and lots of it. Beautiful cards!
Nice card – lots of pearls! I’m following you back from SC.
Terry #250
http://goinovertheedge.blogspot.com
The first was my favourite too. I struggle not to do clean and simple which is why the first appeals to me most I think. Thanks for sharing.
Had to smile at your post! I think I liked the first card the best but maybe I liked the cherry cobbler layer on the later card. Whichever, you can send one to me and I would cherish any of them! Makes me want to attempt a similar card just to see if I am satisfied with it. The card caught my attention in your bow tying video. Anyway, thanks for sharing the saga with us.
Chris R. from Iowa
Oh, boy, could I identify with that post!! It seems like a have a good idea but then there always seems to be something a little off that needs to be fixed or traded out. It’s really a hoot when the end result is totally different that what I originally had planned!! Your final card is my favorite but they were all lovely. I was so impressed by the big change in appearance when you added the sentiment and labels. Thanks for showing the steps you went through to achieve your final result!!
Hi Ann, I tried sending you an email but it wouldn’t let me so here we go.
http://www.murchies.com
For the best tea Canada has to offer 🙂
Thanks for sharing your journey today. Silly me, I thought the first one you did was just great. Glad you finally got it the way you wanted it.
WOW Ann!…I love each and every one of them…the first one defintely didn’t need changing..but as you went each one added something even better! They are all fantastic. {SMILES}
OH boy the rigamaroll you’ve been through on this one, lol! I’ve had much the same…though I *may* have given up, lol. I think they’re all beautiful – LOVE the colors! 🙂 tfs
Well, it may have taken you several tries, but I think you came up with a winner! And, I think your first was just lovely before you kept trying to improve. All of them are wonderful! Love the color combo! BTW – I seem to overdo it a lot when I distress, too!
I know how you feel when challenged with a design for a card. I would have thrown up my hands, but still it would bug the heck out of me until I conquered it. Glad you persevered.
Good Afternoon! I love the looks of all 4 versions of your card, but do like the looks of #4. I can say I’ve never seen a card you’ve done that I don’t like. I find it hard to come up with just the right idea, thanks for your site, I get so many ideas. Pat P. Mass.
I liked several of your attempts to “fix” your card including the first on!!! Thanks for all you share and for the bow video!
This is so beautiful! I love all of the bling! Thanks for sharing.
Inky hugs,
Janet
There is not a bad card in the bunch…they are all really elegant. My problem is over embellishing. (Is that possible?!?)
Oh Ann, don’t be so hard on yourself. I didn’t see anything need to be changed for the #1 card! I actually REALLY like it!
And of course, I want to case it too! : )
Lauren Y.
sloatyang@yahoo.com
you have a lot more patience than I do to attmept to save a card-but I have to say that I really like attempt #3 when you added the cherry cobbler paper
We are our own worst critics! All your card versions are just great! But, thanks for sharing that even pros like you have the same issues as the rest of us!!
You certainly know how to take a card up a notch. Love clean and simple but they seem to be the ones that take more thought and concentration. You did a lovely job as usual.
Just because you think it doesn’t look good, doesn’t mean others won’t love it! I personally like both cards! You always inspire me! Thanks for everything you do to help those around you!
Cynthia
Ann, I like all of the cards but the 4th attempt is my favorite. I was glad to see that others go through what I go through in creating a card. Sometimes, it just doesn’t WOW you at first. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful card….so we all seem to have those cards that just take a gazillion tries before we are satisfied.
Love the colors used.
Sometimes clean and simple isn’t so simple. I run into this problem, too. You did a lovely job. Love how you embellied with the pearls.
Mona
I don’t know why you redid it so much…I thought it just looked like there were shadows on the outside of the embossing…anyway..I think it is great!!!
I don’t know why you redid it so much…I thought it just looked like there were shadows on the outside of the embossing…anyway..I think it is great!!!
Well it makes me feel better that you have problems too, is that mean? lol. When you see a card finished, you just assume that the creator just put it together with no problems, so easy.
Your card is beautiful, I really love the Cherry Cobbler base. Have a great weekend.
You’ve outdone yourself again.
I would have loved receiving any of the cards. They were all BEAUTIFUL : }
Oh I have done this dance many times! I love your final version so it was worth all of those steps~!
Interesting to see this process in action.
My fave is the last card, but they are all gorgeous. I’ve been exploring your blog and you do beautiful work… lovely cards.
I think all of your card versions were beautiful! CAS can be challenging so don’t feel bad. =0) I just stumbled upon your blog but will definitely add you to my blog reading list!
Hi Ann,
I loveyour card! It was worth the 3 tries. You got it just right! It is so satisfying to get a card to that point when you just know that it is finished and done right. Glad to know I am not the only one that struggles at times. Thanks for your inspiration!
Joan!!!
Ann, you are too funny and I can relate to your challenge. I agree the Early Espresso bows are much better. I love the last version it is more my style. Thanks for the chance to win blog candy.
I love how you can play for blog candy with multiple changes (but take me out of the running please). This is a great story about the “evolution” of a card. Frankly, I like all four. Hugs, M
Ann–
Your post made me feel good–not that you had to go through so many attempts, but that we ALL have days like that! I actually like all 4 of your attempts–I think it’s a great card! Have a good weekend–thanks for sharing you with all of us. 🙂
Amy Fink
I liked the first card, and the second, and the third card, and the forth!! I esp. love the ornaments with the pearls. It is perfect. Great job!
I liked the first card, and the second, and the third card, and the forth!! I esp. love the ornaments with the pearls. It is perfect. Great job!
Beautiful Christmas Card. Your cards are so detailed and just gorgeous!
LOL! Too funny. I totally believe that either you are CAS or you aren’t ;D. I *love* #4 myself. I must tell you that you have solved a problem my OCD self had with using 2 ornaments on a card. I’m an ‘odd number’ person and felt something was missing with just 2 ornaments. Your greeting is the perfect balance! Thank you, thank you!!;D.
P.S. Love your blog!!!!!
Ann, you are just too funny!!! It was fun reading the entire article of all you went through to get where you wanted to go. Personally I think they are all great!
Love the final finished card! It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who has trouble with cards….sometimes I feel like I just can’t get it right for some reason! And I definitely have been a victim of over-sponging!! Loved to see your creative process…thanks for sharing that with us!
I personally like them all!!! I have done the same thing, and get so disgusted. #2 is my fav though. *smile* Hugs,
I just love all the cards. I do understand about adding and adding to a simple card either until I get it right or just take the card totally apart and redo everything sometimes multiple times. Thanks you again for the bow making tutorial.
It’s not fun to be disappointed with a card you are making, but you have so much patience to keep on trying. I loved all the cards as each had it’s own special touches, but the last was my favorite. I loved the colors you choose and the embellishments were great!
Thanks for sharing your awesome work with us again!
Isn’t it amazing how sometimes a card just sort of puts itself together, and other times it’s a battle. Thanks for sharing your thought processes with us. It’s good to know that even a card making superstar such as yourself still has “those days”.
Ann, been there and done that…I don’t know if I have ever went quite as far to fix it as you have on this one, most of the time I just lay it aside. Sometimes what I have in my head doesn’t translate to the paper. I liked the first one but love the last effort. TFS.
WOW, I’m bowled over by this one, Ann. This is stunning. XOXO
Well the card turned out marvelous as always and Whew… that was a LOT of work. You have a LOT of patience too. I have attempted to redo a card or two, but usually after try #2, I rip it apart and salvage what I can for another completely different one. Kudos to your patience!
Well the card turned out marvelous as always and Whew… that was a LOT of work. You have a LOT of patience too. I have attempted to redo a card or two, but usually after try #2, I rip it apart and salvage what I can for another completely different one. Kudos to your patience!
Too funny! Great card no matter how many attempts it took. I’m always happy when the adhesive is lightly applied!
Good morning! You started my day with a smile! I’ve been there, done that more times than I wish to remember.
Hi Ann! I am so glad to see that someone else goes through some of the things I do when I try to create a card! I think that’s why I CASE most of my cards LOL! I personally like all 4 of your cards but I think I like the last one the best! BUT if you decide you don’t want to keep any of them you can send them to me anytime LOL! Thanks for sharing your awesome creations with us everyday!
I chuckled as I was reading this. Oh, the “versions” I can go through before I like a card! Glad to know I’m not the only one. By the way, the last WAS the best!
Good on you for persevering! I don’t think I would have tried four attempts :).
I like all of the cards, but my favorite is the first one, love it!
Well.. I like both versions.. but the first is my favourite I have to say.
Loving these ornaments – we’ve just got the contemp christmas range.
lovely xx
Good Morning! I’m so happy to see that you and I have so much in common. I have a lot of trouble with clean and simple. I like the look but whenever I try it, I’m never satisfied and must keep adding more until I’ve gone over the edge. I loved all the versions of your card by the way!
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