One of my goals, now that the dog show season is behind me for a few months, is to participate in challenges. When I saw The Friday Mashup was having a Wildlife Challenge, I thought…”Oh, boy! This is right up my alley!” However, I had just made a wildlife card using the Moose image from Walk in the Wild for The Paper Players Wildlife Challenge. Other than the retired Dasher stamp, I didn’t have another moose-deer-elk stamp that I felt was “challenge-worthy”. Then I remembered a vintage Stampin’ Up! set from 2003…A Beautiful Season. I was not stamping in 2003, but this is one of the sets, found at a yard sale, that started me down the path to stamping. I hope you enjoy today’s card.
- Create a project with a “Game/Woodsy type Animal (Deer, Moose, Turkey, etc). “
- Create a project using a “Woodgrain look. “
- Or Mash it Up and create a “project with Woodgrain and a Woodsy animal image. “
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips
This finished card measures 5-1/2″ wide by 4-1/4″ long.
- What was I thinking??? I wanted to create an elegant card, so I inked the image in VersaMark, and heat embossed it using Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder. I kept it simple, using three simple pearls as an embellishment. I used Gold Foil and Brushed Gold for the matting. Alas…when will I ever learn that gold embossed cards never photograph well. Since I was entering this card into a challenge, I wanted a good picture. In real life, it was a gorgeous card. But, in the pictures it looked hideous.
- Back to the drawing board! I stamped the image in Soft Suede and replicated my original design. I thought… “Hmmm…I’ll just keep it simple.” But deep down inside of me, I felt that something was missing.
- Third time is a charm….maybe. I removed the image panel, and added Burlap Ribbon, a few feathers from my stash, and a Naturals Designer Button with Hemp Twine bow. Plus I added a little Dazzling Diamond snow on the trees.
- The final result was earthy and organic…but I still wasn’t sure that I liked the result.
- A Goldilock’s card! Back to the drawing board…again. I pulled off the feathers and large button, and added a smaller button with a Linen Thread bow. Finally, a card that was not too simple, and not too busy…but just right!
And there you have a glimpse into why it takes me forever to make a card! Which version of the card did you like the best? Won’t you let me know in today’s comment? And remember, if you ever have a question about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away. Until next time…
beautiful work as always, ann! i think i liked the first and last versions. how did you do the snow on the trees? gorgeous!
Nice to see I’m not the only one who goes through a process in trying to get “the” card!
I have this set and adore it and boy did you do it justice. Your final card is definitely my favorite. I love the colors and the burlap just really carries over the rustic feel of your image.
Ann, thank you so much for playing along with us at The Friday Mashup!
Thanks for taking us through your process of creating a perfect card! I do like the final version best.
Ann I absolutely love your card! Thank you for sharing the evolution of your card. We all have this evolution but I never thought to share it! I wish I could see your gold card in person as I am sure it is stunning! I love how you placed the pearls on your card and I did end up liking your final card the best! Thank you for joining us at the Friday Mashup this week!
Hey Ann, so nice to have you join us at the Friday Mashup this week! Your card has such wonderful details. And it is quite funny to see the evolution of the card. Thanks again!
Of course, my dear, all of the cards are top shelf however, in the end…your hard work paid off- it is just fantastic with the burlap and the naturals button. The pearls finish it off nicely with the Dazzling Daimonds. LOVE! And, I loved your Paper Players card sooo much!
Your second and the final cards you made appealed to me, the 2 best of the bunch! I’ll bet that gold embossed was beautiful!
Ann, Lovely blog and projects, I have come over from Stampin’ Connection and I am your newest FOLLOWER. Hope you will come by to visit me on my blog and FOLLOW ME if you wish. http://www.creationsbylouise.blogspot.ca
Happy Stampin’ Louise
Lovely stamp set and I also like the final version the best but the others are just as lovely.
The burlap goes so well with the card and stamp image
Have a wonderful evening
Colleen
I like the last version if I have to choose. A wonderful stamp set; I was just looking at it and thinking I will probably never get rid of it. After seeing your beautiful card I’m inspired to ink it up; it’s been at rest too long.
I love the card version that you eventually decided on Ann-the burlap ribbon is the perfect touch for your color scheme and image.
I do the same thing when I am card making and that’s the reason it takes me hours to create a card as well )lol) Although for the HYCCT challenges I did make a few cas card in 10 minutes-a first for me
Simply beautiful. Love the snow effect on the threes.
I like the last one. I think the burlap brings the gold color out more. I love the stamp. Wish SU would bring back some of the old old stamps. Glad to hear you are enjoying your extra time.
I like the final result the best. I usually don’t like Soft Suede, but it is perfect here, and so natural looking. Love the burlap and the button, and, of course, the pearls.
Ann,
I love them all but if I had to choose it would be the last card. Although, I would have loved to see the gold embossed card in person. I love this stamp set but haven’t used it in years. You’ve inspired me to pull it out. I think I’ll use all the stamps to make my set of Christmas cards. I love the snowman and bird as well. Thanks for the inspiration!!!
Ann…this is a one-of-a-kind card; just stunning!!!
This is just beautiful, Ann! All of the cards are gorgeous but if I had to pick one, the last one gets my vote. Even though it is a rugged looking card it is stunning and elegant as well! And it takes me forever to make a card too!
Beautiful card as always!! I loved that set but don’t have it anymore. I love what you did with it!!
Awesome card. I especially love the trees and love that you added the Dazzling Diamonds. What a great look. I wanted to enter this challenge; but, I don’t have a blog and I don’t know how to enter. Thanks for sharing. Very nicely done!
I love seeing your creative process, Ann! Frankly, they are all amazing, each in their own way. What a beautiful stamp set. I can see why it inspired you to try more.
Wow, this is stunning Ann! I love it and have to re-think this stamp set. It’s gorgeous for a holiday card as you have done.
Gorgeous!!! The last one is my favorite if I’m going by photos – if I were there in person the result could be different : )
Beautiful card! I like the final version best. You are so talented. I love looking at your creations!
Hi Ann! I have friends that consider that overthinking and just don’t understand why it would take forever to make one card. But I get it, I’m like that too! I spent 4 hours making a wedding card for very dear friends of ours. I’ll bet your first card is stunning in your hands. What a beautiful stamp! I like them all but the first and last are my favorites. ; ) Have a wonderful weekend!!
I must ask: How do you adhere the burlap ribbon? I love the look and feel of it, but it defies every adhesive we have. SNAIL won’t stick to it, sticky strip won’t release its backing when I stick it down, and glue seeps through the weave. Ack!
well Ann, this is absolutely stunning! I love the colors and that stamp is gorgeous.
I like your final version best, Ann, although the feather was pretty good looking on the 3rd rendition. Thanks for sharing your multiple attempts to get the right balance of embellishments. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one hee hee!!
Beautiful card!!! I love all of your work! Very inspiring!