Splendid Fleurs

Happy World Cardmaking Day! I hope this card makes you SMILE :) & I hope you get a chance to make a card today (or this weekend!). Creating a card is only half the fun, giving it away is still my favorite part! I used to have a hard time giving away the cards I made, but now, a card's not really complete until it's given away. For my friends and customers who have a hard time giving their cards away, I usually share these 2 tips ~ 1) Make a twin for your card, then mail one and keep the other as an example, or 2) take digital photographs of your cards so you can remember what you liked about them. Both of those tips really helped me and I hope they help you too :) !!

I made these cards yesterday with my brand new Splendid Little Company (Pink Poison) set called Fancy Fleurs. I love the beauty and versatility Marie put together in these images and sentiments. You can see the entire set right HERE :) ! The first card includes one of my favorite new Designer Papers... Haiku from SU. I've been really enjoying working with those papers and the color palette...So Saffron, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive & More Mustard ( I added a little Chocolate Chip just for contrast and didn't use Tangerine with this card).

This card uses the same stamp set, Fancy Fleurs (see what I mean about the versatility?). Sympathy cards are among the most difficult cards for me to make. And, I have to admit, these aren't my favorite cards to send (for obvious reasons)...but if someone is going through a difficult time, I still think a thoughtful, handmade card can go a long ways toward brightening their day. This set is going to really help me in making sympathy cards in the future. The sentiments and images are simply beautiful. I used my Copics to color these images, but I think the flowers would be also be beautiful watercolored...maybe I'll try that next. I used Copic R43 & 46 for the roses, and mostly YG95 for the leaves, with a few other greens thrown in here and there for variation...I was doing a little experimenting! That whole process led to an order for a few more Copics...I'm telling you, those things are addicting, lol! That small strip of DP is Haiku again...see....isn't that great stuff? Here, it adds just the right amount of pattern and a touch of contrasting color when combined with Real Red and White to create a card with clean, crisp lines.

Thanks for stopping by...be sure to leave a comment and say hi :) !

Supplies for the Smile card (size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2) ~ Stamps: Fancy Fleurs Paper: Chocolate Chip, Paper Trey White, Haiku DP Ink: Palette Noir, Chocolate Chip & Copics Tools/Accessories: Small & Large Oval Punches, Paper piercing tool/Mat pack, 1/4" Mustard gg ribbon, Mustard eyelets (retired SU), Dimensionals, Spica clear glitter pen, Sakura clear glaze pen

Supplies for the Sympathy card (size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2) ~ Stamps: Fancy Fleurs Paper: Real Red, Old Olive, Paper Trey white, Haiku DP Ink: Palette Noir & Copics Tools/Accessories: Small & Large Oval punches, White Taffeta ribbon (love that stuff), Spica clear glitter pen, Sakura clear glaze pen